<p>My SAT Essay SUCKED big-time. I can't believe I screwed it up, but I did. I know Columbia can't completely disregard it, but can I just write a letter in the additional info part? I want to explain that I was extremely nervous during the test, and under normal circumstances (eg, not being forced to write under 25 minutes), I'm an excellent writer. Also, I'm retaking the test on Jan 28. I know Columbia says it might not accept those scores, but it couldn't hurt.</p>
<p>The rest of the application screams "good writer" already, but don't you think that it's a little fishy that someone who almost failed the essay won a lot of writing awards?</p>
<p>Would it be too whiny and pathetic to do it? Please reply ASAP, deadline is pretty soon!</p>
<p>don't worry about it. if ur application shows ur a good writer, then fine. i think adcoms understand that not everyone is at optimal condition during tests. </p>
<p>and anyway, between the SAT essay score and the actual writing samples, the writing samples are going to get WAY more consideration because they show a lot more about how a student is going to function in college. </p>
<p>so im pretty sure ur fine. u don't want to give the wrong feeling with said letter.</p>
<p>I would not write a letter, that just looks like you are making excuses. If you are a good writer they will see that from the rest of the application. There is no need to make a huge deal about the essay.</p>
<p>dont make it look like an excuse...
whatever happened...you are responsible for your scores and there aint anything you can do about it!!!
besides if you tell them that u were nervous and spoilt the test...you may make a bad impression of being not confident and prone to anxiety.
if you are going to make an excuse i would suggest a sickness...but i am still not advising you to do that.</p>
<p>The best places to mention that would be the following:
1. Essay
2. Interview</p>
<p>dont tell them separately and just hope that the adcoms realise that you are a good writer indeed by your writing awards....and i think the adcoms do realize that a 25 minute test does not determine the writing abillity of any person......if they have any suspicion about ur writing, smack their suspicion with an essay with stunning writing skills!!!</p>
<p>MY FINAL ADVICE...DONT TELL THEM...IT WILL ONLY show lack of confidence!</p>
<p>similar thing happenned to me too....i havent won writing awards though...but i can write pretty well......at least compared to what happened on my SATs!!</p>
<p>Also realize that in college you're going to be faced with timed, on-demand writing which may be more consequential than one section of the SAT.</p>