<p>Writing is the low point on my SAT (650), but I really want to have a shot at getting into Princeton.</p>
<p>I know that the whole process is holistic and all, but I just want to know. Some schools I know (Maryland, Cornell) throw out SAT Writing and just take your score out of 1600. Others (Like MIT for some reason) actually say that Writing is most important. I was wondering where Princeton stood on this.</p>
<p>Some more info, I had an 800 math, 720 reading, and 650 writing which I am mildly happy about. I know that I could have gotten 50-100 points higher (I had the flu), so whether a school cares about writing matters a lot for me.</p>
<p>Also I am thinking about taking an ACT and sending that. I average about a 33-34 on the test with near perfect on math/science and lower 30s on reading/writing. Is a 33 better than a 2170? Or should I send both?</p>
<p>Well I’m not convinced by that reason, the whole reason colleges have a problem with SAT writing isn’t because they don’t think students should have writing skills, its because its extremely questionable whether the SAT is an accurate assessment of writing ability. </p>
<p>^I’m not saying that Princeton considers writing because of that reason. I’m just saying that Princeton does in fact hold the SAT Writing score in regard, as with SAT Math and Critical Reading. I was merely highlighting the importance they put on SAT Writing.</p>
<p>Also, GPA coupled with SAT Writing scores have been shown to serve as the best indicators of college success, relatively speaking in terms of the three SAT sections.</p>
<p>^what if you take the SAT more than once? say you got 650 the first time and 800 the second time (arbitrary numbers; not my scores haha) - do they read the essay from when you got an 800?</p>
<p>They do not read your SAT essays. They read your application essays. You may send superscored SAT results (best combined scores from all sittings).</p>
<p>Cornell requires students to take a freshman writing seminar as well, yet they don’t look at the writing portion of the SAT. Therefore requiring a student to take a freshman writing seminar is not an indication of anything.</p>
<p>MIT professor some years ago did a study on the writing portion of the SAT and determined that it is a poor tool to determine writing ability.</p>
<p>Yes, Princeton DOES read the SAT or ACT Writing section. Princeton states that it uses the writing component to do the following: (1) for admission (2) for placement (3) for advising (4) ‘as a validity check on the application essay.’</p>
<p>These are Princeton’s OWN words, that I quoted. If you don’t believe me, read page 3 of the common data set. </p>
<p>To answer your question: with the notable exceptions of Yale and Stanford, most colleges with consider only your highest scores and thus your best essay.</p>
<p>@MeIsHM I see what you are reading - I am not certain it means they actually have your essay sent to them and re-read it. I would interpret it as them comparing the score of your essay as a validity check to the application essay. We did not have our son’s SAT essay forwarded to them (and he was admitted and is a current freshman) - we had marks only sent and I am not certain how they would get the actual SAT essay without us releasing it to them.</p>
<p>I have to agree with Cantiger here. Regardless of what the common data set says, there is no way that the Princeton admissions staff would have time to read all the SAT essays (and remember, that might include deciphering somewhat illegible handwriting as well). My suspicion is that by checking this box, Princeton is reserving the right to look at an SAT essay if for some reason they have concerns about an applicant’s writing. However, in practice, I would assume it happens rarely, if at all.</p>
<p>Yeah, colleges in general don’t usually ignore the Writing section anymore. It’s no longer experimental. Anything that goes on the viewbook and into your application is important in their decision.</p>
<p>Yes, the College Board sends all colleges a copy of the written essay along with the scores. The Admissions Commitee will obviously not read all essays. However, essays of short listed applicants are indeed read, to ensure that a third party was not involved. </p>
<p>On every SAT test there is a fine print which states the following: An electronic copy of your essay will be made available to each of your designated score recipients: colleges, universities, and scholarship programs.</p>
<p>Look I’m not sure this is that important and no one should think that their SAT essay doesn’t matter at all, but I am fairly confident (and I’m a Princeton alumna and two of my children attended) that Princeton does not read SAT essays of the vast majority of applicants, including those who are admitted or “short-listed.”</p>
<p>However, when you realize how many applicants a school like Princeton has and how little time they have to review each file, they will not read an additional essay unless there is some compelling reason.</p>
<p>midatlmom, you have mentioned the very reason that almost obliges Princeton to read SAT essays of all admitted students.</p>
<p>Because of a large number of applicants, Princeton needs to ensure that its admissions process is fair and only admits those who are deserving. A SAT essay is not part of the admissions process, but it is used as a validity check. If an applicant has excellent Common App essays, he should have a good SAT essay also.</p>
<p>Harvard does this also and states “*n most cases, … misrepresentations are discovered during the admission process and the applicant is denied admission.” One way these ‘misrepresentations’ are found is through the SAT essay.</p>
<p>Look, I don’t mean to be rude here, but we will simply have to agree to disagree. You might be right, but as a high school junior (at least that’s what it looks like from your previous posts), I’m not sure you have any specific or meaningful knowledge about the Princeton admissions process.</p>