I’ve taken the SAT 3 times, and each time with essay (more or less for consistency, and also in case I improved it as I wasn’t super keen on my essay scores). However, all colleges I’ll be applying have either just recently dropped the SAT essay requirement or didn’t to begin with. First time, I got a 790 on math and an okay essay score (16). Second time, was the harsh curve College Board predicament and I didn’t do as well (slightly improved reading), but I got my highest essay score (17). Now I just took it again in August and got my highest reading (740), but a bad essay score (14). This doesn’t make sense to me, as I know I’m a very competent writer and have won/placed in essay competitions as well as received a 5 on the AP Language test, and did very well in the class which was entirely made up of in-class/take home essays. Yet, I’ve never done particularly well on the SAT essay (though I felt they were strong) and all my scores are either fairly average or even somewhat bad. As I’m going to be applying to some more selective schools (Dartmouth, Williams, Bowdoin, CMU, UC + safeties), I’m somewhat concerned about having to send in these lower SAT scores as both coincide with my superscored sections of reading/math. The colleges don’t require them, but they automatically send in so I’m sure they will see them, but will they pay any heed to them? I may be overconcerned, but feel it could be a blemish in a very cutthroat admissions process.
Also, I have not taken the ACT, but many at my school have been getting much better scores on it than the SAT. I’m obviously happy with my SAT score (1530 composite), but do you think it would be worth taking the ACT once in October just to see if I can get a 35/36, or even a 34 {which is “equivalent” to a 1530 (is it actually?), then I wouldn’t have to worry about the SAT essay scores, if they may be a concern to begin with}. What would you recommend in this situation?