So I’m a bit confused. I got a 33 comp (33E, 31M, 35R, 34S), but my writing was 08. My ELA is a 31, and I’ve read that that is my writing, english, and reading. So that must mean my essay was pretty crap comparatively (25?). My previous ACT I got a 27 on writing, but that was the old scoring and I don’t know how that compares. I intend to major in geosciences or marine sciences, but I’m applying to some pretty/really selective schools (UCB, UNC, Cornell, Columbia). Will my writing score have a big negative impact or am I just worrying too much? Also, if it were to impact me and I were to retake the test, how does super-scoring work regarding the sections of ELA from different test (ex. 35R from one, but 34E and 09 writing)?
Not sure how super scoring works on the ACT, but you should retake it due to the schools you are looking at being immensely competitive. Columbia is very (emphasis on very) competitive. You should try to bring the best writing score you can the next time you take it. A good thing is that the colleges will see how you improved from each time you took the test. This is nice because it shows you are hard working. Sorry I could not really answer your question to the best of my ability:( I’m a SAT guy, lol
UNC, Columbia and Cornell no longer require or use the ACT essay or its resulting scores (or the optional SAT writing section on the new SAT) to determine admission. The UCs still require the essays but you should assume your composite and the four, mutlitple choice section scores are far more important.
The ACT essay with writing score you took last year and got a 27 was under a new essay grading system that ACT started to use last Sep. It had huge problems, including that the grading method delayed scores, including for months for many, and ACT had to regrade many and the grades changed substantially. The result is that ACT came to its senses and returned this year to the 12 point essay scoring scale that existed for years before last Sep. That is actually the grading scale most colleges claim familiarity with and an 8 is fine for Berkeley.
The essay score carries much less weight than the composite score. Most people see the essay score as somewhat subjective. So I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
At 8 is about the 84th percentile for the new test. Your 27, in comparison, is at the 93rd%, and concords to a 9 on the new test. So the 27 is the better score and that is what your schools that super score will consider.
Essay doesn’t figure in with a superscore, nor does the ELA. The only numbers that matter on a SS are Eng/Math/Rdg/Science. The ELA (and STEM) are statistical add-ons the ACT includes for no apparent reason other to help high schools determine how they’re doing teaching in those areas.
@iwslontsat Thanks for your advice, and don’t sweat it, I appreciate your input.
@mamaedefamilia Do you think it is worth it to send both scores if it’s just for one more essay point which was on a “flawed” grading scale?
@yellowjeans Thanks so much for the info. And I do plan to take SAT Math II and Bio tests, so hopefully that’ll help me out.
@midtntutor Oh I thought that may be the case regarding the essay not superscoring. But are you sure the ELA or essay don’t matter? I’ve seen some places that UC schools factor in this and drusba replied with similar info earlier.
It may be that UC schools have to use it because they’re trying to pull from such a huge pool of apps. I’m in the Southeast where the ELA and Essay do not factor in to admissions. Then again, there are times here in the South where grammar in general doesn’t factor in…
I do know the essay’s such a mess this year with the two different scoring systems that most colleges are not concerned with it.
@softserve - if the schools you are considering super score and sending both sets of scores would raise your composite, then I’d send both. If your first composite is lower than your second and doesn’t help you (save the marginal effect of a slightly better essay) then I’d send the second result only. Make sense?
Of course, if you are thinking of schools that require the submission of all scores, you will need to comply.
