ACT with Writing?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

I’m registered to take the ACT with Writing, but I read on the NU website that “Beginning in spring 2016 (when the new SAT is first administered), Northwestern will no longer require the Writing section of the ACT.”

As I’m a musician, the only other academic school I’m applying to is Rice, which notes that “Writing is optional.” Is there any need for me to take the writing section?

2

My daughters’ high school counselors told her class that if something is “optional” do it anyway especially for selective schools.