Emory University is a highly selective private research university located in Atlanta, Georgia. Each year, Emory receives over 31,000 applications for its undergraduate programs, making admission extremely competitive. With such a large applicant pool, Emory puts a great deal of emphasis on standardized testing in their review process. One question prospective students often have is whether taking the ACT Writing section is required for admission.
While the ACT Writing section is an optional part of the ACT exam, Emory does recommend that all applicants complete the writing portion. It is not a strict requirement in the sense that omitting the writing section alone will not automatically disqualify an application. The admissions committee at Emory aims to get a full picture of each candidate, and standardized test scores are just one factor considered alongside things like transcripts, essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation.
That said, there are a few important points about the ACT Writing section and Emory admission to keep in mind:
Emory prefers that applicants submit ACT scores that include the Writing section. They believe the optional essay provides meaningful insight into a student’s writing and critical thinking abilities.
If ACT Writing scores are submitted, they will be carefully reviewed and considered in the holistic admissions process. A strong performance could potentially boost an application.
Candidates who do not complete the Writing section due to testing before the addition of the component or other extenuating circumstances will not be outright denied. The rest of the application materials would need to be very strong to compensate for the missing writing sample.
In general, submitting the highest possible scores on all required components of the ACT, including the Writing section, will position applicants in the best light competitively. Omitting a recommended section leaves out data the committee wants to see.
The ACT Writing section does not replace Emory’s required supplemental essay. Both the ACT essay and individual responses are valued by admissions.
Completing the Writing portion allows direct score comparability to other test-takers, as Emory likely considers average ACT scores with and without the essay separately.
So in summary – while Emory admission does not formally mandate the ACT Writing essay, it is strongly advised that candidates follow the college’s preference to sit for the optional component. Individual circumstances may be taken into account, but omitting the recommended section could potentially put applicants at a slight disadvantage versus equivalent peers who fully participated in the exam as directed. The best approach is to submit scores inclusive of Writing grades if at all possible.
It’s also worth knowing some specifics about how Emory evaluates the ACT Writing section itself. Like most top colleges, they aim to assess clear communication, well-supported arguments, and grammatical command through the optional timed essay. Rubrics focus on elements like:
Thesis/claim – Does the writer establish a clear position on the given prompt?
Developing ideas – How thoroughly and persuasively are the main points explained and justified?
Organization – Is the structure logical and easy to follow? Do transitions connect the different paragraphs?
Language Use – Is writing fluid and syntax varied? Are words chosen precisely with few grammatical errors?
Analysis of issue – To what extent does the essay analyze complexities of the prompt beyond superficial treatment?
Strong performances on the ACT Writing section commonly score 8s or higher overall based on these criteria. Essays below a 6 may raise flags, though individual factors are still taken into account.
In the end, each application receives holistic consideration at Emory. Test scores provide valuable but not definitive insights. Still, adhering to the college’s recommendation to complete the ACT with the optional Writing component positions candidates as competitively as possible to demonstrate their strengths in both standardized testing and communication abilities. Omission should only be done if truly unavoidable, and other application materials would need to especially compelling to make up for the missing writing sample. Overall, including the Writing portion aligns best with Emory’s process and allows for fair comparison to peer applicants.