<p>Just found out that some colleges don't count the writing part of the SAT or that they only count the essay score. Is this the case for USC?</p>
<p>From the USC Admissions FAQs-
What is USC’s policy on the “new” SAT?
Beginning with the fall 2006 admission cycle, USC will require a standardized writing exam from all applicants. This requirement can be met through either the new SAT or the ACT with its optional writing section. The results of these new exams will be considered along with all the other components of a student’s application. While we won’t read every applicant’s actual SAT writing sample, we may request it in individual cases where we feel it will help us better review those applicants. In the rare case that a 2006 applicant is unable to complete the new exam formats, we will accept the old SAT I, if accompanied by a score from the SAT II: Writing Exam…</p>
<p>[FAQs</a> - USC Undergraduate Admission](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/faq/application.html]FAQs”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/undergraduate/faq/application.html)</p>
<p>Thanks! So, they do look at the actual writing score and not just the essay score, right? Because I heard that most of the top-tier schools only look at the math and critical reading and glance at the essay score. But I’m hoping USC pays equal attention to the actual writing score because it is my highest one of the three.</p>
<p>I’d think they would look at both the total writing score and the essay score. I mean really, out of all the things to skip, why skip a single number that will take half a second to process when you can skip more substantial things (like responses to canned questions).</p>