<p>Is the writing score (for prospective class of 2010 students) going to be used? I have heard that MIT is disregarding it and I was wondering if Harvard was doing the same thing.</p>
<p>MIT is disregarding it because... I think they claimed there was a correlation between essay length and score. Though I can assure you filling up the entire two pages certainly did not get me a 12.</p>
<p>Harvard, on the other hand, will be using the new Writing section in its decisions for Class of 2010.</p>
<p>How much value would Harvard place on it (compared to other sections)? I mean, there are no percentiles or other data available for the test and the curve is unbelievably harsh for a couple grammar mistakes (as opposed to the lenient curve of the SAT II Writing). Also, doesn't Harvard allow the old SAT this year? How would it compare applicants with the old SAT and the new SAT?</p>
<p>What about Math & Critical Reading? I don't really feel that those sections from the old and new tests are comparable.</p>
<p>Okay I'm no expert on this thing but I'll tell you what I know:</p>
<p>ramsfan: bottom line - if you take the new SAT, Harvard will definitely look at your writing scores, but if you don't it's not going to hurt you. As for the curve, I can't really tell you.</p>
<p>Alessandro: collegeboard has said that the math and critical reading sections are in fact comparable to the old test, so i'm assuming harvard will treat them as such.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info but I was just wondering how Harvard would view the new SAT writing scores. I've heard that most colleges will not factor writing so much this year because of the changes that were made and the newness of the test. Would this statement apply to Harvard?</p>
<p>I did not get that impression when I spoke to a representative, but you might want to call the admissions office to make sure. I definitely did not get the impression it would have any less weight than the other sections.</p>
<p>I know many colleges have varying policies towards the new SAT for this year. Some are requiring it, others aren't. Some will look at the new section only for statistical purposes and disregard it in admissions decisions. So it really depends on the school.</p>
<p>I see. Wow, it seems like Harvard is the first top school to consider the new SAT writing as important as the other sections. Stanford is going to look at it, but it is only a supplement to the critical reading section. UPenn also stated it would be "judicious" with the scores. Can anyone else confirm that writing will be just like math and verbal to Harvard?</p>