<p>700 is a great score for someone who hates to write. Both my non-writer and my great writer got similar scores on the SAT writing section and essays. Neither is good at that particular sort of writing and spent way too long trying to think of something to say. Your kid might do better on the ACT - their essay questions IMO are much easier to answer.</p>
<p>My younger son just got nominated for a writing prize at his college - that 7 or 8 on the essay is history. Most colleges don’t pay that much attention to the writing section, particularly if there is other evidence that the kid can write (AP scores in English or history, personal essays on the application, teacher recommendations.)</p>
<p>Terse will never get you a high SAT scores, but in college many professors will appreciate his style.</p>