Hey guys,
I took my first SAT in March of this year (without the essay). I got a 1540 (780 English, 760 Math).
I was sick for the April SAT date, so I bumped my second try to June. I just got my June score back this morning, again receiving a 1540 (750 English, 790 Math), and am now happy that I have a 1570 SAT superscore. However, I had been convinced by my guidance counselor that I should take the essay portion as well this second time. I figured it couldn’t hurt, as some colleges say the essay is “recommended but not required,” and also assumed that I would do well on it. (I do very well in English classes, ending AP Lang with a 98 and scoring a 5 on my AP test.) That’s not to say I didn’t study for the essay; on the contrary, I read through the SAT scoring guidelines, read sample essays on the College Board website, and did some practice essays with an SAT essay tutor. I thought I was pretty comfortable with how to score highly on the essay, and had been doing very well on these practice essays.
Well, as it turns out, I got a 6/8 on reading, a 4/8 on analysis, and a 7/8 on writing, for a total score of 17/24 … I hope to apply to schools like Notre Dame and Georgetown, and probably binding (Early Decision) to a school like Cornell.
So, what do I do? Do I retake the SAT? I doubt it, since I don’t think I’ll do anything but drop in my English (780) and Math (790) Section scores. Also, I still have to take some subject tests this August, so it doesn’t seem too practical to retake the SAT itself… Should I be concerned about this 17/24? Will it hurt my chances being admitted to schools like Cornell? Should I do the score verification option?
Thanks for any input you may have!
At this point, the number of schools requiring the SAT with essay is rapidly diminishing, with UC, I believe, as the only major uni still requiring. I’m of the opinion that the essay score is not a make-or-break, and that your actual essays are more important. So, move on.
retake the SAT
You are fine. Move onto other aspects of your application. Admissions officers will ready your Common App and any supplemental essays your SAT essay score will have zero impact on your admissions chances
Thank you for the help! I guess I’ll move on to those subject tests and the Common App essay 
I do not know what impact this would have on your applications to the most selective schools and only retrospective examination of applications with this will tell because this is new. So, yes, it is possible it can hurt you. You cannot unsee something. I have no idea how I’d react to two very similar apps, one with your essay score, one without.
I suggest getting your test scores out to your schools early and retake , focusing on the essay. Then submit that result if it’s better. Hold if not. I don’t know if these schools superscore—if they do, any lower numbers on the other parts won’t matter.
Your score is high so you already stand as a competitive applicant. Assuming your GPA is good and that you have a good amount of ec’s, you’ll be fine. The essay won’t be the determining factor for your admission
taking the SAT or ACT a third time would tell colleges you’re too much test-focused, so don’t do it, given your scores, you’re fine.