ACT writing importance?

I got a 36 composite for ACT (36, 36, 36, 34 science) but then got a 23 on the writing (essay). RIP
Schools that I am looking at require the writing, and it supposedly says that they will give the writing as much weight as the other sections, but I hope that is not actually the case.

Would that writing section matter/could I make up for it if I have As in my AP English classes, get 5s on the AP exams, and write good college app essays?

I got a 33 (35, 32, 34, 32) but got a 22 on writing. This sucks.

I got a 35 (36, 34, 36, 32) composite, 22 writing. There are other threads about low writing scores from this administration.

my son scored a 33 composite with a 35 in English- just got his writing score and it was a 22. His last writing score from Oct test was 28. What gives? While i guess I can’t completely overlook the fact that maybe this essay wasn’t good, it just seems like something is off, as he is typically a pretty good writer and felt he wrote an excellent essay. I am going to be requesting act to re-score his writing. Has anyone here successfully challenged a writing score and had it changed?