<p>I'm hoping my 800 didn't go to waste here...</p>
<p>Even if they don’t officially count writing, they will see it and it will look good.</p>
<p>moreover, if you’re in the school of engineering, a writing score of 750+ will exempt you from writing I, a class that is otherwise required for everyone. I think you can also be exempt from it in other undergrad schools, except for arts & sciences</p>
<p>^ Just in Engineering. </p>
<p>An 800 will definitely look good on your application, but I doubt it’s something that will boost you over the edge if you are otherwise borderline. It is probably worse to have a low score on the Writing section, than it is great to have a high score. I’d imagine most Wash U applicants have high Writing scores.</p>
<p>Another good thing about a high writing score is that it will confirm that you wrote the essay without help. A fabulous essay combined with a very low writing score might raise a few questions.</p>