<p>On the SAT, I did extremely well, except for in writing (800 CR; 800 M; 760 W).</p>
<p>My lower writing score was due almost entirely to the essay (9). Though I didn't think the essay was terrible, apparently the reviewers did. Maybe due to handwriting or because I'm bad at writing quickly...</p>
<p>Anyways, I've moved on from the SAT and am happy with that score. However, I am working on application essays and so far they seem quite good. I am normally a very strong writer (multiple school awards), especially when I can type.</p>
<p>Would colleges raise eyebrows if my application essay were spectacular, given my SAT essay? Should I retake the SAT to write a better essay? Should I purposefully underwork/underedit my application essays?</p>
<p>You DO NOT have a bad SAT writing score. Your score is definitely in the top 5%, so your concerns are completely unfounded.</p>
<p>I hope you’re ■■■■■■■■. So you didn’t get a 2400. Neither did the other 99.9% of test-takers.</p>
<p>To be clear, my problem is NOT with the 760. I fully realize that’s a great score.</p>
<p>My concern is with the 9, for a rather poor essay. Colleges will receive this and can evaluate it against my application essays. If my application essays are much better (which they will be), will it cause them to doubt my integrity?</p>
<p>The CollegeBoard pretty much only gives perfect essay scores to students who summarize a stupid book for their argument. Historical anecdotes, personal anecdotes, statistics, or anything convincing in the real world is still not as preferable to a brief summary of a fictional story. Don’t worry about it in the slightest.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about a 9 essay. Few colleges will actually read your SAT essay, and I think they’re at least mildly sympathetic about the arbitrary nature of SAT prompts and graders.</p>
<p>Your college essays will be polished, like those of everyone else, and they know and expect that. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Writing within the structure and time constraints of a standardized test is a <em>very</em> different exercise than writing a personal statement. Obviously, some people will be better at one and not at the other.</p>
<p>If you have further questions about your personal statement or essay topics, feel free to message me.</p>