Does the ACT writing section really matter? The schools I'm interested in, like Harvard and Columbia, list it as optional. Should I bother taking it or focus on perfecting the other sections?
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The ACT writing section's importance depends heavily on your target schools and intended major. While schools like Harvard and Columbia list it as optional, taking the writing section can still provide additional insight into your academic abilities, especially if you're planning to major in fields requiring strong writing skills.
College admissions officers generally place more emphasis on your composite ACT score from the four required sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science) than the optional writing section. However, taking the writing test demonstrates initiative and provides schools with a standardized writing sample that showcases your analytical and argumentative writing abilities under timed conditions.
For highly selective institutions like Harvard and Columbia, every component of your application matters. Even when listed as optional, completing the writing section shows you're willing to go above and beyond minimum requirements. This can be particularly valuable if writing will be a significant part of your intended course of study, such as journalism, English, or political science.
The writing section typically adds about 40 minutes to your testing time and requires an additional fee. If you're confident in your writing abilities and can prepare adequately without compromising your performance on the main sections, including the writing component can strengthen your application. However, if you're struggling with the core sections or feel overwhelmed by test preparation, it's better to focus your energy on maximizing your composite score.
Consider taking a practice ACT writing test to assess your performance level. If you can consistently score well on practice essays while maintaining strong performance in other sections, including the writing section could enhance your application. Remember that a low writing score could potentially detract from an otherwise strong application, so make your decision based on your preparation level and overall testing strategy.
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