Tufts 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, Tufts University stands as an exceptionally selective institution where ACT performance is highly competitive. Scoring at or above the 25th percentile of 33 puts you within the range of admitted students, but falling significantly below this threshold would create substantial challenges in your candidacy. The school attracts some of the nation's top test-takers, and while test scores matter, they are far from the only factor in the selection process. The narrow range between the 25th and 75th percentiles indicates that Tufts' admitted class consists predominantly of very high-performing students across standardized testing metrics.

A good ACT score for Tufts typically means scoring in the 33 to 35 range, with 34 representing the middle point of admitted students. However, it is critical to understand that achieving a strong ACT score does not automatically secure your admission to Tufts. Many applicants with composite scores of 35 or even 36 receive rejection letters each year because Tufts evaluates you as a complete applicant, not solely as a test-taker. Your GPA, essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, demonstrated intellectual curiosity, and how you contribute to your community all carry tremendous weight in the decision. A high test score confirms you have the academic capability to handle Tufts' rigorous curriculum, but it does not demonstrate what makes you unique or how you will enhance the Tufts community.

While there is no official minimum ACT score required by Tufts, you should aim for at least a 33 to have a realistic chance of being considered by the admissions committee. Scoring below 32 would place you well below the 25th percentile, and an ACT in the low 30s or below would make acceptance extremely unlikely unless you possess other truly exceptional qualities in your profile. That said, Tufts emphasizes that they conduct a thorough holistic review, so if your ACT score falls short but you have other significant strengths such as outstanding grades, leadership experience, or extraordinary talents, do not automatically count yourself out. Just approach the application with realistic expectations about your odds if your score is notably below their typical range.

Tufts University maintains a test-optional admissions policy, meaning you are not required to submit an ACT or SAT score with your application, though the school encourages you to do so if your scores are 28 or higher on the ACT. This policy will remain in effect through the 2025-26 application cycle, giving you the choice of whether to include standardized test scores in your file. If you choose not to submit scores, Tufts will still evaluate your application holistically and will not penalize you for the absence of test data. However, it is worth noting that most competitive applicants to Tufts do submit test scores, so submitting strong scores can strengthen your profile if you have taken the tests.

Tufts employs a superscoring method for the ACT that genuinely works to your advantage. When you take the ACT multiple times, the admissions committee will consider your highest individual section scores from all test dates to calculate your best possible composite score. This means if you score well in English and Reading on one test date but earn higher Math and Science scores on a subsequent attempt, Tufts will take your strongest score from each section across all dates and combine them into your superscored composite. The Science section of the ACT is also optional at Tufts, so you can choose whether to include it in your submission. This flexibility allows you to focus on improving specific sections without worrying that a weaker attempt in an entire test administration will hurt your candidacy.

Understanding how Tufts uses your ACT score requires recognizing that standardized testing is just one component of a much broader evaluation process. Your transcripts, course rigor, personal essays, teacher recommendations, leadership roles, and demonstrated personal qualities are all examined carefully alongside your test performance. Even applicants with a perfect 36 ACT composite can be denied admission because admissions officers are looking for students who will thrive intellectually, contribute meaningfully to campus life, and fit the Tufts community. Your test score helps confirm that you can manage the academic demands of Tufts, but it does not tell admissions officers whether you are resilient, creative, collaborative, or committed to making a difference.

At a school as highly selective as Tufts with an acceptance rate near 11%, having a strong ACT score actually narrows the applicant pool but does not separate you from thousands of other high-scoring applicants. Instead, the admissions team focuses on understanding who you are as a person and what you will bring to campus. They examine your essays to understand how you think and what drives you, review your recommendations to learn how you interact with mentors and peers, and consider your extracurricular engagement to see where you have invested your time and energy. Your ACT score signals that you possess the intellectual foundation needed to succeed at Tufts, but your entire application demonstrates whether you deserve one of the roughly 3,700 admission spots offered each year. This is precisely why two students with identical 34 ACT scores can receive different admissions decisions, or why a student with a 33 might be admitted while another with a 35 is waitlisted or rejected.

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.