An interesting find on the Writing Portion of the ACT

evilpoptart

5-Year Member
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Aug 15, 2010
Messages
9
After contacting a Major working in the admissions office, I was told that I would not have to take the ACT again to have the writing portion, because all of my sub-scores were over 25.

This would mostly, if not only pertain to people applying after high school and while currently serving in the military.

Just thought I would share the news with the people here. I started my application process yesterday. Hoping things will pan out alright.

One question I do have is; What is the average turnaround time for a LOA after the application is complete?

Thanks,
Matt
 
So you take ACT without writing, if all sub-scores are over 25, you don't need to have the writing portion?
And, if one sub-score is below 25, you either retake with writing or retake without writing but try to get all sub-scores above 25?

I just want to make sure I get this right.
 
to be honest with you I have no idea. I graduated in 2009, and emailed asking about taking the writing portion. I told him my scores and he said that since I didn't have any below 25 I would not have to take it again.
 
Be cautious on extrapolating this to the rest of the applicant pool. You are USAR enlisted and in college, what applies to you may not (probably does not) apply to high school applicants.

Admissions wants all applicants who take the ACT to also take the writing portion. On the ACT it is optional. This is not an issue with the SAT since the writing portion is a part of the test. Unless they have changed in the past year, the writing score is not used for admissions purposes at all - they are using it to gather data for future use.
 
Be cautious on extrapolating this to the rest of the applicant pool. You are USAR enlisted and in college, what applies to you may not (probably does not) apply to high school applicants.

Admissions wants all applicants who take the ACT to also take the writing portion. On the ACT it is optional. This is not an issue with the SAT since the writing portion is a part of the test. Unless they have changed in the past year, the writing score is not used for admissions purposes at all - they are using it to gather data for future use.

Correct, which is why I stated that I think it would only pertain to people that have already graduated. I'm sure they didn't make a one time exception for me.
 
All Candidates have to have an ACT English Writing Score in order to be considered for admission in the Admissions Office. Pretty clear on the home page for Admissions:
All West Point candidates are required to submit writing scores with their SAT and/or ACT exams. The SAT requires the writing exam as part of the test. However, the writing portion on the ACT is optional. If you register for the ACT, you must select the “ACT Plus Writing” exam. If you have already registered for an upcoming ACT and did not select the “ACT Plus Writing” exam, you should immediately contact ACT (319-337-1270) to add the writing portion. For more information, please visit:
http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/
writing.html.


Nothing there about scoring over a 25. If you were told something different by your Admissions Officer, then everyone else should assume that that only applies to you and they should plan on having ACT writing scores to complete the admissions file.
 
All Candidates have to have an ACT English Writing Score in order to be considered for admission in the Admissions Office. Pretty clear on the home page for Admissions:
All West Point candidates are required to submit writing scores with their SAT and/or ACT exams. The SAT requires the writing exam as part of the test. However, the writing portion on the ACT is optional. If you register for the ACT, you must select the “ACT Plus Writing” exam. If you have already registered for an upcoming ACT and did not select the “ACT Plus Writing” exam, you should immediately contact ACT (319-337-1270) to add the writing portion. For more information, please visit:
http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/
writing.html.


Nothing there about scoring over a 25. If you were told something different by your Admissions Officer, then everyone else should assume that that only applies to you and they should plan on having ACT writing scores to complete the admissions file.

why would they make an exception for one person? I've already stated my circumstances, so I wasn't trying to say that it would apply to everyone, perhaps just people in my position.
 
If I were you, OP, I would try to get that waiver in writing. He said/she said doesn't make me comfortable particularly if it is not in agreement with their published statement.
 
If I were you, OP, I would try to get that waiver in writing. He said/she said doesn't make me comfortable particularly if it is not in agreement with their published statement.

I agree with this post. Yes you have a different set of circumstances than most here but, it wouldn't be the first time I've heard an admissions person give the wrong advice. And remember, it will be too late when you find out differently.

If it were me in this situation, or one of my children, I would tell them to take a do over, and with the writing. You can't lose, your old scores would count (if you did worse) and you'd have the writing portion done. Plus, you could study the ACT work book and possibly do better. Again, that's just my opinion.
 
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