The title is pretty self explanatory, but I got a perfect composite ACT and a 6/12 on the essay.
In comparison, I got a 1540 on the SAT and 15/24 on the essay.
If I were to send a score, should I send the ACT, the SAT, or both? I’m going to be a STEM major, but which option would be most beneficial for me to do? Thank you!
ACT. An average essay score is not a deal breaker.
What were your SAT math and ACT math/science subscores?
@Otterma My SAT math subscore was 790 while my ACT math subscore was 36. I got a 35 on the science portion of the ACT, but will likely major in mathematics.
The essay part is a bit meaningless. A 5 on the AP Lang test has more weight in terms of admissions.
A 15/24 really isn’t much better than a 6/12. But a 36, especially with a 36 math subscore for someone going into STEM, is more valuable than a 1540.
I’d send the ACT score. But your standardized test scores are not what are going to tip you over into acceptance in some cases, depending on which colleges you’re aiming at. They just keep you from getting outright rejected. 
I guess I’d send the ACT rather than both. Sending test scores can get expensive and you’ll still have subject test scores to send as well.
It’s debatable how much or how little the ACT/SAT writing sections matter but the consensus seems to be somewhere around “not much”. Some colleges flat out say they don’t use them (look on the Common Data Sets to be sure). Ask your english teacher if he/she would be willing to write a recommendation that specifically addresses your writing skills if you still feel concerned.
I’d send the ACT score. The act essay is graded almost at random and colleges know that.
I would send the ACT.
However, the SAT is also a very fine score (probably around a 34 or a shade higher on the ACT). For schools that require SAT II subject tests, there is no real downside to sending your SAT I as well. College Board charges a single fee regardless of how many tests you report.
I agree that the written section is not weighed very heavily. It is assessed according to a fairly rigid rubric by evaluators that are working very quickly. Colleges and universities know this.
Congrats on your excellent scores!
AP scores aren’t used in admissions. Doesn’t mean they wont look at it if you submit it, but it typically isnt part of the admissions process.
OP, if you apply to some top schools, they will require you to send ALL tests you have taken, so the question is moot. You’ll have to send the ACT and SAT. And a 750/790 is pretty sweet too. If you send one, send the ACT. but its fine to send both, even when its not required.
That said, back in the day, DS#1 sent his 1570 SAT and IIRC a good writing score, but I forget what it was) and not his 34 ACT. That because we were not as familiar with the process as we are now. If we had it to do over, he might have sent both.