Send all ACTs or just ACT with writing?

<p>I know that the UC system requires ACT with writing, but they also say they want ALL test scores submitted. Should an applicant send the scores of all ACT tests taken or just the scores from the ACT with writing? </p>

<p>Berkeley is a later addition to my son's list of colleges. Because none of the schools on his earlier list required writing, he didn't do the writing portion on his second time taking the ACT, but he did significantly better the second time around (both scores are in the mid 50% range but one is on the lower end and the other is the top of the range). </p>

<p>We are oos, so I'm looking for some wisdom from those who are better informed about the UC application. My questions are: Does the applicant submit all test scores, or just the one with writing and if all are submitted, will the better score be "looked" at by the admissions committee? </p>

<p>My son can not take the December test because of a previous committment, so that's not an option. He has to go with what he has. </p>

<p>Thanks...</p>

<p>Only the score with Writing will be used for admissions eligibility. But send the higher score. It will be seen by the app readers since all scores print out on the file. Whether they take it into account is up to them.</p>

<p>btw: I’m not a big fan of paying OOS prices to attend Cal, unless it’s Engineering or Chemistry.</p>

<p>The UCs request the students to submit everything. The UCs will crunch the numbers and convert everything to a UC score (in order to compare SAT and ACT on equal footing). Because of this conversion, occasionally the highest converted score may not be the same as the highest SAT/ACT score. I suppose it’s possible to calculate the UC score yourself for each SAT/ACT score and then select the highest one; but I think it would be easier to just submit everything and let the UCs sort them out, especially since lower scores are tossed (some UCs will only show the highest converted score in the application file; other UCs may display all scores but the readers are trained to disregard lower scores).</p>

<p>Thank you both. And bluebayou, I agree. My son knows how much we are willing to spend, but he thinks there’s a chance for merit aid. He is a genuine optimist.</p>

<p>cfs:</p>

<p>just so you/your son knows, to obtain ‘merit’ money at the big three UCs, one needs Ivy-level stats.</p>