<p>Almost all schools require you to take ACT with Writing, however, the writing portion does not affect your Composite Score. When resources give you average scores, they only give the Composite Score. Are colleges only looking to see that you take the writing portion, or are they using that score, too? If one's score on the ACT essay does affect one's chances of getting in, is there a resource that lists the average writing scores for different colleges?</p>
<p>I think for most colleges, the writing portion of the ACT only shows them how well you write under pressure and/or time constraint. As far as I know, it doesn’t affect admissions for most schools unless you score EXTREMELY low (like a 2 or 3). I know that for some schools they use it to determine which writing/composition course you should be placed in for their general education requirements. You could always look at the websites of the schools you’re interested in; that should be able to give you more info about how they use your ACT scores. :)</p>
<p>I don’t believe the ACT essay heavily weighs the decision. They just want to see that you took the initiative and did it. It’s like when they say something is optional on their application. You don’t have to do it, but they like to see that you did it. For example, some colleges recommend or highly recommend SAT Subject tests. You don’t have to do it (and sometimes it doesn’t affect your application) but if you don’t do them, it may shed a different light on your application than what you want. </p>