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Northwestern University ACT Requirements

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Average ACT Score

Average ACT Score

Northwestern University reports an average ACT score of 34 for undergraduate admissions. This score indicates a highly competitive applicant pool, as it falls within the upper range of national averages for selective institutions. Students aiming for admission should consider this benchmark in their preparation.

ACT Score Range

34-35

Northwestern University's ACT score range for undergraduate admissions is between 34 and 35, with the 25th percentile at 34 and the 75th percentile at 35. Being within this range does not guarantee admission. Applicants on the upper end of this scale may have a better chance, while those at the lower end should strengthen their applications with higher grades, compelling essays, notable awards, and strong extracurriculars.

ACT Math Score Requirements

32-35

Northwestern University requires a Math ACT score with a 25th percentile of 32 and a 75th percentile of 35. This indicates that 25% of admitted students score 32 or below, while 75% score 35 or below. These figures represent the competitive landscape for the math component of undergraduate admissions.

ACT English Score Requirements

35-36

Northwestern University requires a strong performance on the English section of the ACT for undergraduate admissions, with the 25th percentile score at 35 and the 75th percentile score at 36. This indicates that most admitted students score between these two figures, highlighting the competitiveness of the applicant pool in this area.

ACT Reading Score Requirements

34-36

Northwestern University has specific requirements for the Reading component of the ACT. The 25th percentile score is 34, while the 75th percentile score is 36. This indicates that competitive applicants typically fall within this range, with many achieving scores at the higher end.

ACT Science Score Requirements

33-36

Northwestern University has set specific requirements for the science component of the ACT. The 25th percentile score is 33, indicating that 25% of admitted students scored below this mark. Conversely, the 75th percentile score is 36, meaning that 25% of students scored above this threshold. These figures reflect the competitive nature of admissions for the science portion at Northwestern.

ACT Policy

Test Optional
Superscoring Allowed
Self-Reporting Allowed
23% submitting ACT

Northwestern University operates a test-optional policy, with only 23% of students submitting ACT scores. Applicants are allowed to self-report their scores, and the university superscores ACT results for undergraduate admissions. This flexibility may provide various opportunities for students to enhance their applications.