<p>I'm taking ACT Plus Writing on September 21.I will be applying UIUC(UIUC does not require writing scores) and I hope that I can apply by November 1 for the priority filling period.I am afraid my scores won't be available by Nov 1.</p>
<p>Does ACT post my scores online without the writing portion first?Or will they post only after my writing score is available?(Which takes a longer time).Because I need to send in my ACT score as soon as possible.</p>
<p>On the ACT website it says "If you take the ACT Plus Writing, your Writing scores will be posted as soon as they are ready, normally about 2 weeks after your multiple-choice scores. Your scores cannot be reported until after your Writing scores have been added."</p>
<p>Does it mean I have to wait until my writing score is available then only ACT will send in my score?</p>
<p>Yes, you have to wait for the writing score, but act scores are sent programmatically, so the September scores should make the priority cutoff. Also, UIUC does require at least one set of ACT scores with the writing component, although I’m not sure that the writing component factors into the admissions decision other than being required on at least one set of scores.</p>
<p>Hrrmm, I stand corrected Mommylaw, my son’s a senior this year, and even though I’ve got a daughter going through the application process now, UIUC isn’t a school on her list, so I missed the change. I guess they decided why put applicants through the added expense, since they couldn’t figure out how to use it in the admissions review anyway. Since the OP is taking it with Writing however, according to their website, they won’t release the scores to colleges before the writing component is graded, whch is 5 to 8 weeks after the test, and even 5 weeks may miss the priority deadline, I’m afraid.</p>
<p>OP, In order to have a better chance of having your September scores reach U of I by November 1st, maybe you can inquire as to whether you can opt out of your previous decision to take the writing component, if that works for you.</p>
<p>As to UIUC’s dropping the writing requirement, you can blame Gery Chico. Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, who in turn blames the state legislature. It is no secret that Illinois has been in dire financial straights for several years with one result being that the legislature diminished funding for education. The result was that the State Board had to cut costs. Chico decided that he would show the legislature what for by cutting things that parents would consider important rather than the fat in his organization and hoped the public outcry would get the legislature to change its mind. One of the things he decided to cut was the writing section of the ACT that is given annually to all Illinois juniors as part of the Prairie State Achievement Examination used to comply with the no child left behind laws. The State Board funds the Prairie State and the ACT test without writing is cheaper to pay for than with writing. His plan failed miserably because the legislature did not change its stripes. That, of course, meant that if UIUC kept its writing requirement, no Illinois high school student could use the ACT taken as part of the Prairie State when applying to UIUC. Under some significant political pressure of its own, UIUC decided to drop the writing requirement as a result. </p>
<p>As to the OP’s question, the Sep ACT, even if you take the writing section will be timely for the November 1 Priority Date application. It is correct that if you take the writing section, ACT will not submit any scores to a college until the writing is graded, even if the college does not require the writing section. ACT will begin releasing scores on-line Oct 7. At that time many of those released will have their writing score and many will not and it usually takes about another week or little more before all the writing scores are released. As long as you identify UIUC as one of your four colleges in your test registration to automatically receive scores upon release, the scores will get into UIUC’s hands before Nov 1 and even if it arrives a little after Nov 1, it will be accepted for early action. UIUC accepts tests taken through the October SAT for its early action program</p>