I took the SAT + essay in December, got a 1580 composite, 17 on the essay. I am definitely satisfied with the composite score, but I can’t help worrying about my essay score. I’m applying to top Ivies… and I have heard some people say the essay “doesn’t matter” but some who say it does. My parents and I have been debating for a while if I should take it again in May or June just to try improving the essay. Any advice or opinions at all would be extremely appreciated!!! Thanks.
quick profile:
97.5 weighted GPA
most challenging AP/Honors classes
competitive private school
major ECs
Asian female…
Your essay score is okay. Given that the test is so new, I honestly don’t think colleges are weighing the essay score too heavily. I see no harm in retaking IF you have the time and money. And if it means sacrificing something important , I wouldn’t bother. They will be far more impressed with the 1580 than anything else.
Post #1 above nails it. Don’t retake it.
I’m in a similar situation; I got a 1430 composite in Dec, 17/24 on the essay. I took the school day SAT without the essay last week, but I was planning to retake it in August for a 1500+ composite and 21+ on the essay. With your score, I’d say don’t bother.
My son was in the same boat. We researched a little and this is what we learned. I am just a parent with no affiliation with anyone. You like my son probably aren’t following what ever is needed to check off the rubric.
In the youtube “reason prep” link. At the 4:10 mark the guy presents a graph with pretty good correlation between # of words & essay score. I put the instructions below together to help my son. Hope it may help you.
My son’s essay score went from 17/24 to 24/24. Here is what he followed:
Write longer… ~700-800 words if possible
Be positive about the speech / work that you are reviewing (never negative)
Don’t analyze the speech (what they could have done better), point out how he/she elicited or what they did/said to elicit the response that he/she wanted.
Looks like the easiest/best way to do this is: (intro/body/conclusion style)
- Paragraph 1 = Introduction, short summary of how he/she elicits reaction
- Paragraph 2-4 = pick a few specific examples and elaborate on those examples from your introduction (how they elicited the response/ or intended to)
- Paragraph 5 = conclusions say what a great job they did, and confirm some of the introduction
You may want to quickly outline your 3 body paragraphs first - then start on your introduction, so you don’t miss something in your introduction and are erasing/trying to go back and include it.
Watch the videos in this series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iohba3b8rYg&list=PLWrx3HAZbAqHEQhWByAjiKiYyHYlKmZiU
Look at these essay examples:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/essay/1
@Kelman13 Great advice. I have tutored on the SAT essay, and this is exactly what you need to do. Follow the formula she outlined.
It’s really important to include examples of how the writer built the argument, the more the better. (analysis score, which often is the lowest of three score components) Include a fair amount of the material from the opinion piece itself both in the context of building the argument oand showing that you understand what the writer is saying (reading score)
Another tip is to make sure there are transitional phrases between the paragraphs: “Another example is…” “In addition, the writer…”
If you have a big vocabulary and you’re sure you know what the words mean, demonstrate it. Don’t just use big words to show off if they don’t work in the context of the essay, however.
If you were my child, I would recommend against retaking it. No need IMO.
OP, my S did almost as well as you (1560, 17 essay) and his counselor and I both advised him not to retake. He’s not really chasing prestige like you though; he’s considering applying to MIT but his top choice is UT Dallas at the moment. If you’re rejected from prestige schools, a 17 essay won’t be the reason. You can retake it if you want of course, but a 17 won’t keep you out and a 24 won’t get you in.
Thank you so much for the tips!
Thank you all so much for the feedback and advice!!
U Penn no longer requires it and says that a 30 minute essay is a poor method of determining a student’s writing ability. Common apps plus supplements give a bettter picture.
Hopefully other schools will follow suit.