A 36 ACT Score is Elite. You have reached the academic ceiling, placing you in the 99th percentile.
2026 Expert Guidance: At this level, your score is no longer a 'variable'—it is a 'filter pass.' With Harvard, Yale, and Caltech reinstating test mandates for 2026, a 36 acts as proof of high-end cognitive proficiency.
Common Data Set Tip: Analysis of CDS data shows that for Ivy League schools, a 36 often represents the 25th to 50th percentile. To stand out, ensure your 'Spike' (unique extracurricular focus) is as strong as your testing data.
Best Colleges for 36 ACT Score
Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 36 ACT Score.
| Logo | College | State | ACT 25th Percentile | ACT 75th Percentile | Acceptance Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logo | College | State | ACT 25th Percentile | ACT 75th Percentile | Acceptance Rate | Status |
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Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | Massachusetts | 35 | 35 | 19.14% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts | 35 | 36 | 3.96% | ELITE REACH |
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Vanderbilt University | Tennessee | 34 | 35 | 6.67% | ELITE REACH |
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University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 34 | 35 | 6.5% | ELITE REACH |
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Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania | 34 | 35 | 11.3% | ELITE REACH |
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Duke University | North Carolina | 34 | 35 | 6.35% | ELITE REACH |
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Columbia University in the City of New York | New York | 34 | 35 | 3.95% | ELITE REACH |
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Williams College | Massachusetts | 34 | 35 | 8.5% | ELITE REACH |
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Johns Hopkins University | Maryland | 34 | 35 | 7.25% | ELITE REACH |
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University of Chicago | Illinois | 34 | 35 | 5.43% | ELITE REACH |
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Rice University | Texas | 34 | 36 | 8.68% | ELITE REACH |
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Brown University | Rhode Island | 34 | 36 | 5.06% | ELITE REACH |
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Harvard University | Massachusetts | 34 | 36 | 3.24% | ELITE REACH |
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Harvey Mudd College | California | 34 | 36 | 13.36% | SOLID MATCH |
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Middlebury College | Vermont | 33 | 35 | 12.69% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Haverford College | Pennsylvania | 33 | 35 | 14.21% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Webb Institute | New York | 33 | 35 | 20.77% | LIKELY MATCH |
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New York University | New York | 33 | 35 | 12.46% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Cornell University | New York | 33 | 35 | 7.47% | ELITE REACH |
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Princeton University | New Jersey | 33 | 35 | 5.7% | ELITE REACH |
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Dartmouth College | New Hampshire | 33 | 35 | 6.38% | ELITE REACH |
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Washington University in St Louis | Missouri | 33 | 35 | 11.76% | ELITE REACH |
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Wellesley College | Massachusetts | 33 | 35 | 13.57% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Tufts University | Massachusetts | 33 | 35 | 9.69% | ELITE REACH |
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Northeastern University | Massachusetts | 33 | 35 | 6.8% | ELITE REACH |
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Boston College | Massachusetts | 33 | 35 | 16.66% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Bowdoin College | Maine | 33 | 35 | 9.19% | ELITE REACH |
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Northwestern University | Illinois | 33 | 35 | 7.21% | ELITE REACH |
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Yale University | Connecticut | 33 | 35 | 4.57% | ELITE REACH |
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Stanford University | California | 33 | 35 | 3.68% | ELITE REACH |
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Claremont McKenna College | California | 33 | 35 | 10.35% | ELITE REACH |
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Pomona College | California | 33 | 35 | 7.02% | ELITE REACH |
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Swarthmore College | Pennsylvania | 32 | 35 | 6.93% | ELITE REACH |
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Case Western Reserve University | Ohio | 32 | 35 | 27.41% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Carleton College | Minnesota | 32 | 35 | 16.63% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Amherst College | Massachusetts | 32 | 35 | 7.26% | ELITE REACH |
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University of Notre Dame | Indiana | 32 | 35 | 12.91% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Georgetown University | District of Columbia | 32 | 35 | 12.23% | LIKELY MATCH |
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University of Southern California | California | 32 | 35 | 12.02% | LIKELY MATCH |
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The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | New York | 31 | 35 | 22.47% | LIKELY MATCH |
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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Georgia | 31 | 35 | 17.13% | LIKELY MATCH |
Your best choices will be the schools and colleges where the average ACT score of the admitted students is 34 to 36. We are also showing you the 25th percentile and 75th percentile ACT Score of the admitted students so that you can have a clear understanding of how many students score what ACT Score. If your 36 ACT Score is higher than 25th percentile, it means your score is better than the quarter of the admitted students, and if it is higher than 75th percentile, then it means your ACT score of 36 is higher than 75% of the students admitted at that school.
Choose a college where your score is near to 75th percentile, this will maximize your chances of admission. You can also apply to other schools as well, but to be on safe side, you must apply to at least 2-3 such schools and colleges.
Data Methodology & Expert Verification
The admission statuses (Elite Reach, Competitive Match, etc.) displayed on this page are calculated using a proprietary 7-tier multivariate logic. Unlike static lists, our algorithm cross-references the student's score of 36 against:
- 2024-2025 Common Data Set (CDS): Specifically Section C8 (Standardized Testing) and Section C9 (Percentiles).
- IPEDS Analytics: Latest federal reporting on institutional acceptance rates.
- 2026 Trend Analysis: Adjustments for schools that have recently reinstated mandatory testing (e.g., Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard).
Note: Standardized test scores are one component of a holistic application. For 2026, many institutions place "Very Important" weight on the rigors of your secondary school record and GPA.
FAQ for ACT 36 Score
How does a 36 ACT score compare to the SAT?
A 36 on the ACT is equivalent to a 1600 on the SAT, which is a perfect score, placing you in the top percentile of students nationwide. This is the highest possible score.
What scholarships are available for a 36 ACT score?
With a 36 ACT, you are eligible for the most competitive merit-based scholarships, including full-ride scholarships to top universities. Many schools offer prestigious scholarships exclusively to students with top scores.
Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 36 ACT score?
Yes, a 36 ACT score makes you a highly competitive applicant for Ivy League schools. You would be well within the accepted range for top-tier universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?
No need—36 is the highest ACT score you can get! You have already achieved the perfect score, and it will make your application stand out among top universities.
What is the national average ACT score?
The national average ACT score is around 20–21. A 36 is significantly higher, putting you in the top 1% of test-takers.
Do test-optional colleges consider a 36 ACT score if submitted?
Yes, a 36 ACT score strengthens your application even at test-optional colleges. It can serve as a great differentiator among other applicants.
What GPA is a 36 ACT?
A 36 ACT typically corresponds to a GPA of 3.9 to 4.0, which is considered excellent and shows you have maintained strong academic performance in high school.
Can I get into NYU with a 36 ACT?
Absolutely. NYU’s average ACT is much lower than 36, and you would be well above the admissions threshold. You will be highly competitive for NYU.
Is 36 a good ACT score for Harvard?
Yes, 36 is ideal for Harvard and other Ivy League schools. It places you at the top of their admissions range and significantly strengthens your application.
Can I get into MIT with a 36 ACT?
Yes, a 36 is well within MIT’s accepted ACT range, making you a strong candidate for admission.
Can I get into Princeton with a 36 ACT score?
Yes, a 36 ACT places you in the top tier of applicants for Princeton and other Ivy League institutions.