The Krupnick Approach to ACT Writing Requirements in 2025
As leading educational consultants at The Krupnick Approach, we understand the complexity and ever-changing nature of college admissions. One area that has seen significant shifts in recent years is the ACT Writing section. In this extensive guide, we’ll delve deep into the current landscape of ACT Writing requirements, offering expert insights and advice to help you navigate this aspect of your college application journey.
Table of Contents
- Understanding ACT Writing
- The Evolution of ACT Writing Requirements
- Colleges That Still Require ACT Writing
- Colleges That Recommend ACT Writing
- Top-Ranked Schools and ACT Writing
- The Krupnick Approach’s Expert Recommendations
- Preparing for ACT Writing: Strategies and Tips
- The Pros and Cons of Taking ACT Writing
- ACT Writing and College Admissions: A Broader Perspective
- The Future of Standardized Testing in College Admissions
- FAQs About ACT Writing
- Conclusion: Making Your Decision
Understanding ACT Writing
Before we dive into the specifics of college requirements, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what the ACT Writing test entails.
What is ACT Writing?
The ACT Writing test is an optional 40-minute essay that students can choose to take immediately after completing the main sections of the ACT (English, Math, Reading, and Science). It’s designed to assess a student’s writing skills, particularly their ability to develop and argue a position on a given topic.
Key Features of ACT Writing:
- Format: Students are presented with a prompt that outlines an issue and three different perspectives on that issue. They must develop their own perspective and analyze the relationship between their perspective and at least one other.
- Scoring: The essay is scored on a scale of 2-12, which is separate from the 1-36 composite score of the main ACT.
- Cost: As of 2024, the Writing test costs an additional $25 on top of the regular ACT fee.
- Time: The essay adds 40 minutes to the overall testing time.
The English Language Arts (ELA) Score
When you take the ACT with Writing, you’ll receive an additional score called the English Language Arts (ELA) score. This score combines your performance on the English, Reading, and Writing sections of the ACT. Some colleges use this score for placement purposes or to gauge your overall language arts abilities.
The Evolution of ACT Writing Requirements
The landscape of ACT Writing requirements has undergone significant changes over the past decade. Understanding this evolution can provide valuable context for current requirements.
Historical Perspective
When the ACT first introduced the Writing section in 2005, many colleges, particularly highly selective institutions, required or strongly recommended it. This was partly in response to the SAT’s introduction of a mandatory essay section.
Recent Trends
In recent years, we’ve observed a dramatic shift away from requiring the ACT Writing test. Several factors have contributed to this change:
- SAT Essay Discontinuation: When the College Board announced in January 2021 that it would discontinue the SAT Essay, many colleges reassessed their stance on standardized test essays.
- Holistic Admissions: There’s been a growing emphasis on holistic admissions processes, which place less weight on standardized test scores.
- Test-Optional Policies: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend towards
test-optional admissions policies, further reducing the importance of standardized test essays. - Questionable Predictive Value: Some studies have suggested that the Writing test doesn’t significantly enhance the predictive value of the ACT in terms of college success.
Current State
As of 2024, very few colleges require or even recommend the ACT Writing test. This represents a significant change from just a few years ago when dozens of schools had such requirements.
Colleges That Still Require ACT Writing
Despite the overall trend away from requiring ACT Writing, a small number of institutions still mandate it. As of 2024, only three schools in the United States require the ACT with Writing:
Martin Luther College (MN)
- A small, private college focused on training teachers and other church workers for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
- Requires ACT Writing for all applicants.
Soka University of America (CA)
- A private liberal arts college with a focus on pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity.
- Mandates ACT Writing for all applicants as part of its holistic admissions process.
United States Military Academy (West Point) (NY)
- One of the most prestigious military academies in the U.S.
- Requires ACT Writing as part of its rigorous admissions process, which also includes physical fitness tests and a nomination from a U.S. Senator, Representative, or the Vice President.
For these institutions, taking the ACT with Writing is non-negotiable. If you’re applying to any of these schools, you must complete the Writing section; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.
Why Do These Schools Still Require It?
While we can’t speak for these institutions’ specific reasoning, there are several potential factors:
These schools may place a particularly high value on writing skills for their programs.
The ACT Writing test provides a standardized, timed writing sample that these institutions may find valuable in their evaluation process.
Some institutions may be slower to change their requirements, especially if they haven’t seen a compelling reason to do so.
Colleges That Recommend ACT Writing
While few schools require the Writing section, a handful still recommend it. It’s important to understand what “recommended” means in this context:
- Taking the ACT with Writing is not mandatory for these schools.
- However, a strong Writing score could enhance your application.
- These schools are explicitly stating that they value the additional information provided by the Writing test.
As of 2024, four schools explicitly recommend taking the ACT with Writing:
- A public research university focused on engineering and applied science.
- Recommends ACT Writing to get a more complete picture of applicants’ academic abilities.
- A historically black university with a strong liberal arts tradition.
- Encourages ACT Writing as part of its holistic admissions process.
- A prestigious, historically black men’s college known for its liberal arts programs.
- Recommends ACT Writing to assess applicants’ critical thinking and argumentative writing skills.
- A private Catholic college offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Suggests ACT Writing to gain additional insight into applicants’ writing abilities.
The Krupnick Approach’s Insight
For these schools, while you can certainly be admitted without taking the ACT Writing test, a strong score could give your application a boost. If you’re a strong writer or if these schools are high on your list, it might be worth considering taking the Writing section.
Top-Ranked Schools and ACT Writing
One of the most surprising aspects of the current ACT Writing landscape is that most top-ranked colleges and universities no longer require or even recommend it. This includes:
None of the eight Ivy League institutions (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell) require or recommend ACT Writing.
Top-tier schools like Stanford, MIT, Caltech, Duke, and the University of Chicago also do not require ACT Writing.
Prestigious public universities such as the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, and the University of Virginia have also dropped ACT Writing requirements.
Even top liberal arts colleges known for their writing programs, such as Williams, Amherst, and Swarthmore, do not require or recommend ACT Writing.
Why Have Top Schools Dropped ACT Writing?
Several factors may have contributed to this shift:
- Holistic Admissions: Many top schools emphasize a holistic admissions process that considers multiple factors beyond standardized test scores.
- Other Writing Samples: These institutions often require multiple essays as part of their applications, which they may view as more valuable than a standardized writing test.
- Equity Concerns: Some schools have cited concerns about the additional cost and preparation time associated with the Writing test, which could disadvantage some applicants.
- Limited Additional Information: Many admissions officers have found that the Writing test doesn’t provide significant additional insight beyond what they can glean from other parts of the application.
The Krupnick Approach’s Expert Recommendations
Given the current landscape of ACT Writing requirements, what do we at The Krupnick Approach recommend? Here’s our nuanced advice:
Requirements can and do change, sometimes with little notice. Always verify the most current policies directly with each school on your list. Don’t rely solely on third-party sources, even reputable ones.
If you’re applying to any of the schools that require or recommend ACT Writing, it’s generally advisable to take the test. This ensures you’re not limiting your options.
If you’re a strong writer, taking the ACT Writing test could potentially enhance your application, even for schools that don’t explicitly recommend it. A high Writing score could complement your English and Reading scores, showcasing your language arts abilities.
Consider if the additional time and money required for the Writing test are worth it for your specific situation. Factor in your target schools, your overall application strength, and your test-taking stamina.
Remember that many schools allow you to use Score Choice for the ACT, meaning you can choose which test dates to send. If you decide to take the Writing test, you’re not obligated to send those scores to schools that don’t require them.
If you’re also taking the SAT, or if you’re applying to mostly test-optional schools, you might decide to skip ACT Writing and focus your efforts elsewhere.
If you decide to take ACT Writing, make sure to practice and prepare adequately. A low Writing score could raise questions, even if the school doesn’t officially require it.
Remember, for the vast majority of schools, other parts of your application (GPA, overall ACT/SAT scores, extracurriculars, essays) will carry much more weight than your ACT Writing score.
Preparing for ACT Writing: Strategies and Tips
If you’ve decided to take the ACT Writing test, here are some strategies to help you prepare effectively:
Familiarize yourself with the typical structure of ACT Writing prompts. You’ll be presented with an issue and three perspectives on that issue. Practice analyzing these quickly and efficiently.
Your essay should have a clear, arguable thesis that states your perspective on the issue. Practice developing strong thesis statements that engage with the provided perspectives.
The strongest ACT Writing essays use specific, relevant examples to support their arguments. These can come from history, current events, literature, or personal experience.
With only 40 minutes to plan and write your essay, time management is crucial. Practice writing timed essays to get comfortable with the pace.
A well-structured essay with clear paragraphs and logical flow will score higher. Practice organizing your thoughts quickly and presenting them in a coherent structure.
Leave a few minutes at the end to review your essay. Look for opportunities to strengthen your argument, improve your language, and correct any errors.
Regular reading, especially of argumentative or persuasive texts, can improve your writing and analytical skills.
Consider Professional Help
If you’re struggling with ACT Writing, consider seeking help from a tutor or a preparatory course. At The Krupnick Approach, we offer specialized ACT Writing preparation to help students maximize their scores.
The Pros and Cons of Taking ACT Writing
To help you make an informed decision, let’s break down the potential advantages and disadvantages of taking the ACT Writing test:
Pros
- Demonstrates Writing Skills: A strong Writing score can showcase your ability to construct and defend an argument under timed conditions.
- Completes Your Testing Profile: For schools that consider Writing scores, it provides a more complete picture of your standardized testing abilities.
- Potential Advantage: In a competitive applicant pool, a high Writing score could potentially set you apart.
- College Readiness Indicator: Some schools may use Writing scores to gauge your readiness for college-level writing courses.
- Keeps Options Open: Taking the Writing test ensures you have the score if you later decide to apply to a school that requires or recommends it.
Cons
- Additional Cost: The Writing test comes with an extra fee, which may be a burden for some students.
- More Test Time: Adding 40 minutes to an already long test can be mentally taxing.
- Extra Preparation: Preparing for the Writing test requires additional time and effort.
- Limited Utility: Given that very few schools require or recommend it, the effort might not pay off for many students.
- Potential Distraction: Time spent preparing for ACT Writing could potentially be better spent on other aspects of your application.
- Score Discrepancies: If your Writing score is significantly lower than your other scores, it could raise questions.
ACT Writing and College Admissions: A Broader Perspective
To fully understand the role of ACT Writing in college admissions, it’s important to consider it within the broader context of how colleges evaluate applicants.
Holistic Admissions
Most colleges, especially selective ones, use a holistic admissions process. This means they consider a wide range of factors when evaluating applicants, including:
- Academic performance (GPA, course rigor)
- Standardized test scores
- Extracurricular activities
- Essays and personal statements
- Letters of recommendation
- Special talents or achievements
- Personal background and circumstances
In this context, ACT Writing is just one small piece of the puzzle, and for most schools, not a particularly important one.
Other Writing Samples
Colleges have many other opportunities to assess your writing skills throughout the application process. These include:
- Your personal statement
- Supplemental essays specific to each college
- Graded papers from your high school classes
Many admissions officers find these writing samples more valuable than the ACT Writing test because they’re more reflective of the type of writing you’ll do in college.
Standardized Testing Trends
The decreasing emphasis on ACT Writing is part of a broader trend in college admissions. Many schools are placing less weight on standardized testing in general, with an increasing number adopting test-optional or test-flexible policies.
What This Means for You
Given this broader perspective, here’s what it means for you as an applicant:
- Focus on Your Strengths: If writing is a strength, you have many opportunities to showcase it beyond ACT Writing.
- Balanced Approach: Don’t let concerns about ACT Writing overshadow other important aspects of your application.
- Consider the Whole Picture: When deciding whether to take ACT Writing, think about how it fits into your overall application strategy.
The Future of Standardized Testing in College Admissions
As educational consultants, part of our job is to anticipate future trends in college admissions. Here are some developments we’re keeping an eye on:
The trend towards test-optional admissions, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is likely to continue. This could further reduce the importance of standardized test essays.
The ACT has been exploring the possibility of offering digital testing, which could potentially change the format and role of the Writing test.
There’s growing interest in forms of assessment that more closely mirror real-world tasks. This could lead to new types of writing evaluations in the admissions process.
Some educators and admissions professionals advocate for a move towards portfolio-based admissions, which could include writing samples produced over time rather than in a single test sitting.
As AI technology advances, there may be new ways to evaluate writing skills or to supplement human evaluation of essays.
What This Means for ACT Writing
Given these trends, it’s likely that ACT Writing will continue to decrease in importance. However, it’s also possible that it could evolve into a new format or be replaced by a different type of writing assessment.
FAQs About ACT Writing
To wrap up our comprehensive guide, let’s address some frequently asked questions about ACT Writing:
Most schools that don’t require ACT Writing will still review your score if you submit it. However, it typically won’t carry much weight in the admissions decision. Some schools may disregard it entirely, even if submitted.
Generally, a low Writing score is unlikely to significantly hurt your chances at a school that doesn’t require it, especially if your other scores and application components are strong.
However, a very low score could raise questions, so if you perform poorly on the Writing section, you might consider not sending it to schools where it’s optional.
This often depended on individual student strengths. The ACT Writing test focuses more on analyzing different perspectives on an issue, while the SAT Essay (when it existed) was more about analyzing a given argument. Many students found the ACT Writing prompt more straightforward, but it’s a subjective comparison.
If you decide to take ACT Writing, we recommend dedicating about 25% of your ACT prep time to the Writing section. This ensures you’re well-prepared without neglecting the other, more widely considered sections of the test.
No, the ACT Writing test can only be taken as part of the full ACT. You cannot take it as a standalone test or add it to a previous ACT score.
ACT Writing scores typically take longer to receive than the multiple-choice section scores. While multiple-choice scores are usually available within 2 weeks, Writing scores can take up to 2 additional weeks.
Not necessarily. You can choose to take the Writing test on some test dates and not others. However, if you’re applying to a school that requires ACT Writing, make sure you have at least one ACT score that includes a Writing score.
Most colleges that consider ACT Writing will look at your highest Writing score or the Writing score from your highest composite ACT score. Some may superscore the ACT, but typically this doesn’t include the Writing score.
Yes! The ACT website offers free Writing prompts and sample essays. Additionally, many online resources and test prep books include practice prompts and strategies for the Writing test.
For the vast majority of merit scholarships, ACT Writing scores are not a factor. Scholarships typically consider your composite ACT score, GPA, and other achievements. However, there may be some writing-specific scholarships that consider ACT Writing scores, so it’s worth checking the criteria for scholarships you’re interested in.
Conclusion: Making Your Decision
As we conclude this comprehensive guide to ACT Writing requirements, let’s recap the key points to consider when deciding whether to take the ACT Writing test:
- College Requirements: Very few colleges now require or even recommend ACT Writing. Always check the specific requirements of the schools on your list.
- Your Strengths: If writing is a particular strength, taking the Writing test could potentially enhance your application, even at schools where it’s not required.
- Application Strategy: Consider how ACT Writing fits into your overall application strategy. Will it significantly strengthen your application, or are there better ways to showcase your skills?
- Time and Resources: Weigh the additional time and cost of taking the Writing test against the potential benefits.
- Future Plans: If you’re undecided about your college list, taking the Writing test keeps your options open.
- Test-Optional Trends: Be aware of the growing trend towards test-optional admissions, which may further reduce the importance of standardized test essays.
At The Krupnick Approach, we believe that the college application process should be personalized to each student’s unique strengths, goals, and circumstances. While ACT Writing has decreased in importance for most colleges, it may still play a role in your individual application strategy.
Remember, standardized tests are just one part of your college application. Regardless of whether you choose to take the ACT Writing test, focus on presenting a well-rounded application that showcases your academic abilities, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities.
If you have any further questions about ACT Writing or any other aspect of the college application process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at The Krupnick Approach. We’re here to support you every step of the way on your journey to college success.
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