I will take my ACT on 12/12, and want to submit most of my applications by 1/15. If I choose ACT + Writing, my test scores won’t be available soon enough, right?
Would you recommend me to take the ACT without writing, then?
Simple answer: if any of the colleges to which are applying requires the writing section, then you must take it. If none requires it, you are fine not taking it.
As to timeliness, the ACT writing section is usually graded for almost everyone by no later than a week to two weeks after test scores are intially released. However, the September 2015 test seems to be having more issues than usual because many still do not have their writing scores. Do not know why there is an unusual delay for that test. In any event, check the colleges to which you are applying for last test accepted for determining admission. Most with Jan application deadlines accept through the Dec test and many even accept the Jan SAT test, i.e., the test scores can arrive after the application deadline.
Take it with writing. Many schools will not accept it without. It appears it takes at least 5 weeks to get the writing graded. http://www.actstudent.org/scores/150444405.html The question is what date the schools need to have your scores. It usually states on their web sites or you can send an E-Mail to ask.
Xposted with @drusba whose knowledge I trust