I got a good score but my essay really, truly stunk. Retake?

<p>Basically, I took my SAT twice and got a 2290 the second time, which is fine. No complaints there. But I just found out that colleges receive a copy of your essay- and though I scored a total of 770 in the writing section, my essay itself only got a 7. No one can even lie- that's terrible! Really terrible. Mortifyingly terrible. My essay was really, really bad (but that Fame=Happiness topic was god awful.) However, I don't want to look desperate by having taken the SAT three times. What should I do, guys?</p>

<p>I didn't know it was even possible to get a 770 with a 7 on the essay.</p>

<p>Just make your admissions essay really, really, really good. I agree with you, the topic was one of the worst I've ever seen. As long as you show you can write in your admissions essay, I think you will be fine. </p>

<p>I also kind of doubt the adcoms read every single applicant's SAT essay. They might read it if one particular applicant's SAT score is negligible, but your score is solid.</p>

<p>tough situation. Becuase I heard that even if admission essay is really good but your SAT essay sucked they could think you got someone else to write your admissions essay for you. So they look at your SAT essay to see of they match up. </p>

<p>But thats what I heard. Personally, I think you should write a kick-ass essay :)</p>

<p>Don't retake, it's pretty obvious they're not going to judge the level of your writing through one timed essay.</p>

<p>The essay must not contribute that much to the score, because my son got a 790 but an 8 on the essay. FWIW, he's not going to retake it.</p>

<p>You will be fine even if you take sat three times.</p>

<p>I'm in a similar situation-- 790 score, but 8 on essay.
I'm retaking, but only because it was my first attempt.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Becuase I heard that even if admission essay is really good but your SAT essay sucked they could think you got someone else to write your admissions essay for you. So they look at your SAT essay to see of they match up.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I think that situation's pretty rare, though. I'd guess colleges would be more inclined to look at English grades as well as standardized essays to determine an essay's authorship, were they suspicious.</p>

<p>Anyway, I got a 720 (with 8 on my essay) and I don't plan to retake it, fwiw. First time, too.</p>

<p>How is 770 even possible for a 7...
Anyways, you lucked out. I wouldn't retake if I were you.
Don't retake</p>

<p>don't retake
btw, i beat you with my 34 and 6 on the ACT essay</p>

<p>29th percentile, oh baby :)</p>

<p>^
It's a 770 because I got a perfect score on the multiple choice part.
Thanks. I guess I won't retake- gotta save cash for the actual applications!</p>

<p>In another thread you say you have a 2320.</p>

<p>Yeah, I know. I used the answers in the posts before the actual exams got out to figure out my "would be" score- a 2320. Needless to say, I miscalculated by 30, dropping me to a 2290. So, that's ho that happened. I guess I should have waited for the official one. :(</p>