Which colleges superscore the ACT

I’m trying to figure out where to apply to college, and my ACT scores are all over the place! I took it three times, and each time I improved in some sections but not in others. For example, I might have a 34 in English the first time, then a 32, then a 35. My Math went from 30 to 32 to 31. Science was 28, 30, 31, and Reading was 31, 33, 32.

So, basically, I want to know which colleges will let me "superscore" my ACT, taking the highest score from each section across all my attempts. I know some colleges don’t do this, and others do. I’m really hoping to get into a more competitive school, and superscoring would really help my chances.

I’m particularly interested in colleges known for their engineering programs, and I’m aiming for schools that are generally considered "highly selective" or "very competitive." A list, or even just a link to a reliable source, would be amazing! I’m also wondering if policies can change, so how often should I be checking for updates? And does it matter how I send my scores – directly from ACT, or will a self-reported score be okay initially for applications? Thanks!

Answer

Many colleges and universities consider a student’s highest section scores across multiple ACT test dates, a practice known as "superscoring." This allows applicants to submit their best possible composite score, potentially increasing their chances of admission. While the exact superscoring policies vary by institution and are subject to change, here’s a detailed list of colleges that are known to superscore the ACT, categorized by state and with some key considerations:

Important Considerations:

• Policy Changes: College admissions policies can change frequently. Always confirm the official ACT superscoring policy on the college’s official admissions website before applying. Look for information under "Standardized Tests," "Admissions Requirements," or "Frequently Asked Questions."
• Self-Reporting vs. Official Score Reports: Some colleges allow you to self-report your highest section scores during the application process and only require official score reports upon enrollment. Other colleges may require official score reports from all test dates upfront.
• Holistic Review: Even at colleges that superscore, your application is typically reviewed holistically. Factors like GPA, coursework rigor, essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation are also important.
• Optional Testing Policies: With the rise of test-optional admissions, many colleges do not require ACT scores at all. If a college is test-optional, submitting a superscored ACT might still be beneficial if you believe your scores strengthen your application.
• Superscore Calculation Method: Some colleges might have specific ways of calculating the superscore. Some might only consider scores from certain dates, or might have limits on the number of test attempts considered.

List of Colleges That Superscore the ACT (By State):

(Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and policies may have changed. Always verify with the college directly.)

Alabama

• Auburn University
• University of Alabama

Alaska

• University of Alaska Anchorage

Arizona

• Arizona State University
• University of Arizona
• Northern Arizona University

Arkansas

• University of Arkansas

California

• California Institute of Technology
• Loyola Marymount University
• Occidental College
• Pepperdine University
• Santa Clara University
• University of Southern California (USC)

Colorado

• Colorado School of Mines
• Colorado State University
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Denver

Connecticut

• Fairfield University
• University of Connecticut

Delaware

• University of Delaware

District of Columbia

• American University
• George Washington University

Florida

• Florida State University
• University of Central Florida
• University of Florida
• University of Miami
• University of South Florida

Georgia

• Emory University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• University of Georgia

Hawaii

• University of Hawaii at Manoa

Idaho

• Boise State University
• University of Idaho

Illinois

• DePaul University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Loyola University Chicago
• Northwestern University
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Indiana

• Indiana University Bloomington
• Purdue University
• University of Notre Dame

Iowa

• Iowa State University
• University of Iowa

Kansas

• Kansas State University
• University of Kansas

Kentucky

• University of Kentucky
• University of Louisville

Louisiana

• Louisiana State University

Maine

• University of Maine

Maryland

• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Maryland, College Park

Massachusetts

• Boston College
• Boston University
• Northeastern University
• Tufts University

Michigan

• Michigan State University
• University of Michigan

Minnesota

• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Mississippi

• Mississippi State University
• University of Mississippi

Missouri

• Saint Louis University
• Truman State University
• University of Missouri

Montana

• Montana State University
• University of Montana

Nebraska

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nevada

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• University of Nevada, Reno

New Hampshire

• Dartmouth College
• University of New Hampshire

New Jersey

• Princeton University
• Rutgers University

New Mexico

• New Mexico State University
• University of New Mexico

New York

• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• New York University (NYU)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Syracuse University
• University of Rochester

North Carolina

• North Carolina State University
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Dakota

• North Dakota State University
• University of North Dakota

Ohio

• Ohio State University
• Miami University
• University of Cincinnati

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma State University
• University of Oklahoma

Oregon

• Oregon State University
• University of Oregon

Pennsylvania

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Temple University
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• Villanova University

Rhode Island

• Brown University
• Providence College
• University of Rhode Island

South Carolina

• Clemson University
• University of South Carolina

South Dakota

• South Dakota State University
• University of South Dakota

Tennessee

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Vanderbilt University

Texas

• Rice University
• Southern Methodist University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• University of Texas at Austin

Utah

• University of Utah

Vermont

• University of Vermont

Virginia

• University of Virginia
• Virginia Tech

Washington

• University of Washington
• Washington State University

West Virginia

• West Virginia University

Wisconsin

• Marquette University
• University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wyoming

• University of Wyoming

Recommendations:

1. Consult Official Websites: Always check the admissions website of each college you are interested in for the most up-to-date information on their standardized testing policies.
2. Contact Admissions Offices: If you are unsure about a college’s policy, contact their admissions office directly for clarification.
3. Prepare Strategically: Understand how colleges use ACT scores and develop a testing strategy that maximizes your chances of achieving your best possible superscore, if you choose to submit scores.

This detailed information should provide a solid starting point for understanding which colleges superscore the ACT. Remember to always verify this information with the colleges directly to ensure accuracy. Good luck with your college applications!