So
I got a 1490 on my sat which I am really happy about but on the essay I only got a 3 on reading 4 on analysis and 5 on writing.
I was wondering how the bad essay will affect admissions chances and if I should retake the sat just so I can do the essay again?
Thanks
The essay was optional - are you sure that it’s automatically included when you send scores? What are the policies of your schools of interest - do they require, recommend or consider it to be optional?
The main schools I am looking at say it is optional but it is included when you send your score to them so they will be able to see it. So I was wondering if it will have an affect even though it’s optional since they are able to see the score
^ You should contact each school of interest and find out how they factor in the essay. Some may not look at it at all, others may view it as “supplemental” if it helps your application. Still others might factor it in regardless of whether it’s helpful or harmful to your application.
Best to understand the policy of each school before deciding whether to re-take. The essay is being dropped by an increasing number of schools so overall is far less relevant than it used to be. Still, best to check thoroughly.
Good luck!
It’s also good to know that admissions officers will be more moved by your application essays than your SAT Essay score.
Colleges are going to stop dropping the essay requirement…I mean, seriously. It takes more than 50 minutes for the average high school student to write a good analytical essay. Make sure the colleges you are applying to require the essay and see if they have posted ranges for the essay score. If the essay is optional at the schools you are applying to, you don’t need to send it. It won’t hurt you or help you. So unless you want to retake it, just send your SAT as standing. The essay won’t really sway the decision.
That essay “test,” was we’ve discussed several times on cc, is, at best, no way to judge one’s writing ability. In fact, I’d even argue it’s no way to test one’s POTENTIAL writing ability.
The sooner every school dumps it the better.
Hardly any schools care about the essay. I wouldn’t worry, honestly.
My kid used the College Panda’s SAT Essay prep book and raised their essay scores from 6/5/6 to 8/6/7