<p>6 on ACT writing both times I took it. I don't feel I deserved that low of a score, but no point in discussing that. However, I also got a 35 on the English section, so my composite english/writing score was still 30 (in the 95 percentile).</p>
<p>In fact, I've always been complimented on my writing ability and grammar by my teachers; my college English teacher (I'm a dual enrollment student) considered my essay the best out of her 150+ students. I just put so much thought and effort into my writing that I need at least an evening to write a quality essay, not 30 minutes.</p>
<p>So needless to say, nothing else in the application would point towards me being a poor writer. With that being said, will the low ACT writing score still hurt my chances at prestigious schools like Duke or UPenn?</p>
<p>75% of those admitted to penn have a writing score between 30 and 36. Your score is in the range. </p>
<p>Test scores are only 1 of six “most important criteria”. They will look closely at your college leve classes and the grades you got there. They will also be looking at your essay and something that makes you stand out (community service, ecs, etc).</p>
<p>My son has the same issue on the SAT. He only took it once and doesn’t want to take it again because of the essay. (He thought he did better than a 6). He also handwrites very slowly. I convinced him to take the ACT because at least the essay is at the end, so I told him to think of it as “extra credit”. If your application essay is up to your usual standards and your grades reflect your true skill, I would have to believe that it will not hurt your chances.</p>