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

With an average composite ACT score of 35 and a middle 50% range of 34 to 35, the University of Chicago represents one of the most selective institutions in the United States, and the competitive landscape means that scoring below the 25th percentile would be extremely difficult for gaining admission. The university has an acceptance rate around 4.8%, which means the vast majority of admitted students cluster in this exceptionally high range. Both scores at the 25th and 75th percentile fall in the same narrow band, reflecting just how uniformly excellent the admitted class is when it comes to standardized testing performance.

A good ACT score for UChicago typically means scoring a 35 or higher, with the 75th percentile sitting right at 35 itself. However, you need to understand that a high ACT score does not guarantee your admission to UChicago, even if you score a perfect 36. Many applicants with excellent test scores get rejected every year because UChicago evaluates you as a whole person. Your essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, grades, course rigor, and your overall fit with the university all matter tremendously in the decision. A 35 ACT signals that you can handle the academic demands, but it does not set you apart from other high-scoring applicants.

While UChicago does not publish an explicit minimum ACT score, you should realistically aim for at least a 33 to have a competitive chance of being considered. Scoring below 33 puts you below the 25th percentile, and an ACT score in the low 30s or below would make acceptance extremely unlikely unless you possess truly exceptional qualities elsewhere in your application. That said, UChicago practices what they call a "no harm" policy, meaning that if you submit a lower score, the university promises they will only consider it if it helps your application. Still, do not rely on this policy if your scores fall far below their typical range.

UChicago is test-optional for the 2024-2025 application cycle, which means you have the choice of whether to submit your ACT score with your application. However, most successful applicants do submit standardized test scores, with approximately 35% of applicants choosing to submit ACT results. The university's test-optional status with the no harm policy gives you flexibility, but if you score well, submitting can strengthen your application. The key is deciding whether your score truly enhances your candidacy.

UChicago employs a superscoring method for the ACT that benefits you considerably if you test more than once. If you take the ACT multiple times, the admissions committee will combine your highest individual section scores from different test dates to create your best possible composite score. This means you could excel in English on one attempt and improve your Math score on a later attempt, and UChicago will piece together the strongest version of your test performance. This policy gives you strategic flexibility in how you approach test prep and retakes.

Understanding how UChicago evaluates your ACT score requires recognizing that test performance is just one piece of a much larger application. The university states clearly that no single element of your application determines admission, and your test score serves primarily to confirm your academic capability to succeed in their rigorous curriculum. Even applicants with a perfect 36 ACT can be rejected because admissions officers are looking for students who will thrive intellectually and contribute meaningfully to the UChicago community in ways that go beyond test scores. Your ACT helps verify that you can handle the coursework, but it does not make the case for admission by itself.

At UChicago, your ACT score signals readiness for academic rigor, but everything after that depends on the rest of your profile. The university emphasizes a holistic review where your essays, demonstrated intellectual curiosity, extracurricular passions, and personal qualities all carry significant weight. High test scores actually narrow down the applicant pool but do not separate you from many other high-scoring applicants, which is why admissions officers shift their focus to what makes you unique as a thinker and as a person. You should view your ACT score as a baseline requirement that qualifies you for consideration rather than as a factor that ensures your acceptance, no matter how high it is.

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.