ACT Writing subject

Applying to College
1

Hey guys, I think I may be overthinking this, but I’ve been worried about my ACT scores that I will be sending in my UC application. I’ve taken the ACT twice and my scores are as follows:

First:
English: 34
Mathematics: 36
Reading: 35
Science: 36
Writing: 24
ELA: 31

Second:
English: 35
Mathematics:34
Reading: 35
Science: 36
Writing: 34
ELA: 35

As you can see, I pretty much bombed the essay portion during my first try and it also took down my ELA score a couple notches. The UC application only takes the highest composite score (I’m assuming my first test?) and specifically requests both the writing score and ELA score which worries me. I’m applying to the engineering colleges of UCLA and UCB. Should I instead send my second scores? Do admissions really care that much about the writing score? Thanks for any advice.

2

Both are great scores. Don’t sweat the writing section - the ACT is known for grading the essays poorly and most colleges throw the writing scores out the window.