<p>ohio_mom: Unfortunately, SAT essays often contain less of the complex and creative diction that might mark a good writer’s application essay. I know mine did, for example. Was this because I slavishly re-edited my college essay until it was a thing of beauty? No.</p>
<p>It was because, on the SAT, if you use very creative wording and subtle diction, it will lose you points. The key to getting a 12 on the SAT essay is to be direct, not overly complex, and make points by relying on simple examples (generally from literature). Unfortunately, comparing the essay to an admissions essay will almost always result in discrepancies.</p>