How Long Do ACT Scores Take to Send to Colleges?
When preparing for college applications, one of the most pressing questions on students’ minds is often, “How long do ACT scores take to send to colleges?” The ACT, or American College Testing, is a standardized test widely used by colleges and universities in the United States to assess the academic readiness of applicants. Understanding the timeline for sending your ACT scores to colleges is crucial in ensuring that your application is complete and submitted on time.
After you take the ACT, your scores are typically available online within two weeks. However, the time it takes for these scores to be sent to colleges can vary. Here’s a breakdown of the process and factors that can affect the timeline:
1. Online Score Release: As mentioned earlier, your ACT scores are usually available online within two weeks of the test date. You can access your scores through your ACT account on the official ACT website.
2. Score Reporting to Colleges: Once you have access to your scores, you can choose to send them to colleges directly through your ACT account. The time it takes for these scores to reach the colleges varies, but it typically takes about two to three days after you request the scores to be sent.
3. College Processing Time: After receiving your ACT scores, colleges have their own processing times. Some colleges may update their application systems within a few days, while others may take a few weeks to process the scores. It’s important to check with each college to understand their specific timeline.
4. Early Decision/Early Action Applications: If you’re applying under an early decision or early action plan, it’s crucial to send your ACT scores well in advance of the application deadline. This ensures that your scores are received and processed before the application review begins.
5. Late Scores: If you need to send your ACT scores after the application deadline, it’s still possible to do so. However, late scores may not be considered in the admission process, depending on the college’s policies. It’s always best to send your scores as early as possible to increase your chances of being considered.
In conclusion, the time it takes for ACT scores to send to colleges can vary from two to three days for score reporting and several weeks for college processing. To ensure your application is complete and submitted on time, it’s important to monitor the timeline and communicate with each college to understand their specific requirements and deadlines.
