Northwestern ACT: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

With an average composite score of 34 and a middle 50% range spanning from 33 to 35, Northwestern University positions itself as one of the most selective institutions in the country. Scoring below the 25th percentile of 33 would place you well outside the typical profile of admitted students, making admission significantly more challenging. The school maintains an extremely low acceptance rate of around 7%, which means the vast majority of admitted students have achieved these exceptionally high scores. Simply reaching or exceeding the average score does not guarantee you a seat in the freshman class, as Northwestern evaluates you as a complete applicant, not just a standardized test score.

A good ACT score for Northwestern typically means aiming for the 34 to 35 range, with 35 positioning you closer to the 75th percentile of admitted students. However, it is critical to understand that a strong ACT score alone does not secure your admission to Northwestern. Many applicants with composite scores of 35 or even perfect 36s are rejected every year because Northwestern's admissions officers evaluate your entire profile. Your essays, demonstrated interest in the school, leadership experiences, extracurricular contributions, teacher recommendations, and how you have challenged yourself academically all carry significant weight in the decision-making process. A high test score simply confirms that you have the intellectual capacity to handle Northwestern's rigorous curriculum.

While Northwestern does not publicly declare a strict minimum ACT score, you should realistically aim for at least a 33 to have a competitive chance. An ACT score in the low 32s or below would place you substantially below the 25th percentile, making acceptance extremely unlikely unless you possess truly exceptional qualities elsewhere in your application. That said, Northwestern explicitly evaluates applicants holistically and does not use test scores as the primary differentiator. If your ACT falls a point or two below their typical range but you excel in other areas like demonstrated passion for a particular field, significant community involvement, or compelling life circumstances, do not automatically rule out applying. Just understand that your odds will be considerably lower, and you should strengthen every other dimension of your application as much as possible.

Northwestern University maintains a test-optional policy through the 2024-25 admissions cycle, meaning you are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores if you choose not to. However, the school will consider your scores if you do submit them, and submitting a competitive score will strengthen your application. Approximately 31% of admitted students in recent classes submitted ACT scores. It is worth noting that Northwestern has indicated they will likely require standardized test scores again starting with the 2025-26 cycle, so check the latest admissions website for any policy changes that may affect your application timeline.

Northwestern superscores the ACT, which provides you with a real advantage when planning your test strategy. If you take the ACT multiple times, the school takes your highest individual section scores across all test dates and combines them to create your best possible composite score. This means you can focus on improving your weakest section on your next attempt, and Northwestern will piece together your strongest overall result from all your test sittings. For example, if you scored 33 in English but 35 in Math on your first attempt, then 35 in English and 34 in Math on your second attempt, Northwestern would count your 35 in both sections for a superscore of 35 composite. This policy rewards your effort and persistence in test-taking.

Understanding how Northwestern evaluates your ACT score requires recognizing that testing is just one piece of a much larger puzzle in their holistic review process. Even applicants with a 35 or 36 ACT are rejected regularly because admissions officers are searching for students who will meaningfully contribute to campus life, take intellectual risks in their coursework, and demonstrate authentic passion for their intended field of study. Your test score confirms that you meet Northwestern's academic bar, but it does not make the case for admission on its own. A 34 ACT combined with a transformative essay, standout extracurricular achievement, and compelling teacher recommendations could be more persuasive than a 35 paired with a generic application.

At a school as highly selective as Northwestern, having a strong test score actually narrows the applicant pool significantly but does not differentiate you from thousands of other high-scoring applicants competing for roughly 2,100 spots in the freshman class. Admissions officers shift their focus to what makes you unique as a person, what intellectual questions drive your curiosity, what challenges you have overcome, and how you will enrich the Northwestern community. They want to understand how you think beyond test performance. This is precisely why students with a 33 ACT sometimes earn admission while students with a 35 ACT receive rejection letters. Context matters enormously. Your test score opens the door to serious consideration, but the rest of your application determines whether you walk through it.

AdmitStudio users who have found success at top colleges often approach their applications as a single, cohesive story, not a checklist of impressive achievements. Rather than treating essays, activities, and recommendations as separate pieces, they focus on presenting themselves as a clear, memorable individual with defined values, motivations, and strengths. Their essays help admissions officers understand why they pursued certain activities, how their experiences shaped them, and what kind of person they would be on campus. This clarity makes it easier for readers to grasp who the applicant is within just a few minutes of review.

AdmitStudio users who are successful also tend to use their essays to connect and reinforce the rest of their application, not repeat it. The essay highlights a few core traits, such as curiosity, leadership, resilience, or initiative, while the activities list and recommendations quietly support those same traits with evidence. By aligning every part of the application around a consistent narrative, these students stand out not because they try to be extraordinary, but because they are specific, authentic, and intentional. Admissions officers come away with a strong sense of the applicant's identity and how they would uniquely contribute to the university community.