<p>Like, if they were looking at my transcripts and saw that I had 600 math, 600 reading, they would see the writing portion as well even though they don't "consider" it, because it's on the same piece of paper. If they saw I got a 650 for writing, would they think any differently at all than if I had gotten a 390? I can't see how they would be just as apt to accept me with a 390 as a 650 even though they don't consider that portion.</p>
<p>That is an unknown mainly because it really depends on the individual reviewer rather than what the college does since the college has chosen not to use writing. However, reviewers at those colleges that have specifically rejected the writing section, like Georgetown, likely will not consider it at all. Also, you are making assumptions – “same piece of paper” – that may not exist at a number of colleges because those who actually make decisions are provided a computer file that contains only information to be used for admission, and if they don’t use the writing section, the reviewer’s file will not show its score. Then even for colleges where reviewers see it all, any advantage/disadvantage to seeing the writing score is likely a lot more miniscule that any student may think. It would be rare to get a large score variance, such as the 210 points you mention, between the critical reading and the writing section and they will be looking at far more important things like grades and couse difficulty for them to give any thought to something they are not supposed to be using.</p>