On my first ACT I got a 31 C and 8/12 writing. The writing score seemed low, but my tutor said it isn’t important, so I didn’t retake the writing part. (Second ACT was a 33 C). For most of the schools they say they don’t require writing, so I was just going to send the second test. But a few say they need writing, so is my score a turn off for Duke or UMich?
Depends what you are applying as. If you are going to be a lit major, yes. If you are going for STEM, they don’t really care too much.
Beyond that, The writing score indicates how well you score relative to other students. You writing score may be irrelevant to college admissions. However, once you enroll in college, writing will be a major component in explaining and expressing your ideas. Thus, what’s not an important factor inadmissions becomes a major factor in learning and measurement. Use the next year to improve your writing.
The issue is that enough schools will only look at your comp WITH writing. So the issue is not your writing score (that is fine) but your low comp score with the writing. The non writing comp won’t fulfil the criteria for the more selective schools. I think you will find a lot of better eng programs will require your comp score includes writing. Either you craft your application list to fit your tests or resit with writing for a better comp and writing.