<p>I recently found this site:</p>
<p>This shows the top colleges and how they weigh the writing section of the New SATs. I found that JHU is listed undecided. Has there been a decision since? If yes, how much of the writing is JHU weighing.</p>
<p>I'm asking this because i'm deciding if I should focus my preparation on writing or CR more.</p>
<p>First rule: never rely on some outside source for information on how the admissions process works at Johns Hopkins. A Kaplan website, or even the College Board tends to have the wrong information -- check our website (<a href="http://apply.jhu.edu%5B/url%5D">http://apply.jhu.edu</a>) or send us an email (<a href="mailto:gotojhu@jhu.edu">gotojhu@jhu.edu</a>) for the correct information.</p>
<p>As far as how we review the Writing section, I would put JHU in the "Equal Weight" category - though I hate summarizing it that way. All scores a student submits with their JHU essay will matter, whether they be a section of the SAT I, ACT, or if they are an SAT II. We do not have a weighting system for standardized test scores. Since we used to require the SAT II Writing, we see no difference now that it is part of the SAT I. </p>
<p>Everything matters - there are no short cuts.</p>
<p>Ok, I want to go straight to a horse's mouth :) My S has taken the ACT twice, first time got a comp 30, high math 30 and science 31, decent eng 29 and reading 28, but freaked during the essay and did horribly 7 out of 12, 33%. Then took ACT again, scored comp 29, math up to 32, science 30, reading same, but eng down to 26, BUT scored a 10 on the essay 96%, bringing the comp eng up. I've gotten some advice to send both scores because the 30 is decent, the 29 is fine, but the increase in writing scores is significant. What do you think? Any advice would be appreciated. As to the rest of his app, he is a valedictorian (out of 489) from a competitive pub hs, he has good ec's and leadership, 3 year vars football/lacrosse, captain, student council, exec. board, volunteerism, etc. So his overall app is strong, it is just the ACT that we have questions about. Thanks!</p>
<p>Not sure if I like being called a horse - j/k. But in response to your question, I will provide my answer from the perspective of Hopkins Admissions - I can not speak on how other colleges will review your son's ACT scores.</p>
<p>If your son applied to Hopkins we would recommend he send all his standardized test scores, including the 2x he took the ACT that you mentioned. Our office appreciates seeing all the exams a student has taken, so that we can see if he/she scored higher on a specific section during one exam versus another. We also give the applicant the benefit of the doubt and factor in the highest scores, section by section as well as composite, when evaluating test scores. We understand students will sometimes "mess up" on a specific section, that is why taking the exams twice is recommended. </p>
<p>So in the case of Hopkins, we recommend sending both scores because it can't hurt - it can only help.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for getting back to me! I really appreciate it and it confirms what I have heard from a couple of other parents.</p>