I scored a 33 on my ACT with an 11/12 on the essay and a 1530 SAT with a 16/24 on the essay. Clearly, my ACT essay score is better than my SAT essay score, but my SAT composite is better than my ACT composite. I resolved to send my SAT to schools that do not care about the essay. However, when I went to send it, I realized you can’t send the composite score without the essay. If my score is going to schools that say they are “essay optional,” will they still look at my essay score even though I don’t want them to? Or will they just throw the essay out before looking at the score?
They will see it. But if they don’t care, then it does not matter.
If a college says the essay is “optional” that often means the score will be considered only if it helps you.