Writing: Does it Count?

<p>I've heard from numerous sources that to a certain degree the writing portion of the SAT Doesn't even count twords college admissions. Is there any truth to this statement? I hope not, my best score was on the writing portion.</p>

<p>I hope it counts.</p>

<p>My guidance counselor said most schools use the Essay for placement purposes, as far as first semester and what courses one should take as far as writing/</p>

<p>@samjamy</p>

<p>Will they consider an 11 to be the same as a 12 keeping in mind that one eprson thought my essay deserved the highest score?</p>

<p>Placement meaning what English course you are suggested to take, if one had crappy Essay, would need a remedial type course. 11 or a 12 no difference IMO.</p>

<p>Use of writing section depends on college. Minority, including a number of your high ranks such as the ivies, consider it mainly like they used to consider the old SAT II writing. Outside of those, the vast majority of colleges are currently not using the writing section for any purpose in admission; many of those are waiting for more score development (more years) before deciding whether and what to use it for. None I am aware of is currently using it for placement.</p>

<p>Do you think that colleges will look past my B's in English if I got a 780 on writing (4 wrong on MC, 0 omit, 11 essay)?</p>

<p>I have 4 B's (semester grades) due to English. I am a second semester junior. I think I will get an A this semester. My only A so far in English was 2nd semester 10th grade.</p>

<p>Doubt it. SAT English is essentially not at all similar to the material covered in actual English classes - there is almost no literary analysis, what textual analysis there is is rudimentary reading comprehension stuff, and the essay is simplistic at best - so while the English Bs might not look heinous to any AdCom, they're not going to look at your SAT and think it makes up for it. SAT Writing/Verbal != English.</p>

<p>The formula used by many admissions offices (in LAC's...don't know much about bigger universities) is vague at best. Many say that they do not use the writing section, because they do not feel that they have enough data on it yet. They tell you that they use the "old" math and "verbal" sections only...of course by calling it "verbal", they've demonstrated a certain ignorance about the changes in that section! At any rate, while many admissions officers say that they "don't use the writing section", they also require it (if submitting ACT's), which certainly indicates that it IS used in some way. There seems to be a re-calculation of scores going on in admissions, based largely on percentiles of CR and Math sections with the Writing score being used as a more subjective assessment. In some cases, I believe that it is averaged with the CR, but mostly, this is not the case. So, the long answer to your short question of whether or not the writing section is used is: No AND Yes. The key, unfortunately, is to do well on all sections. (BTW, my D had an 11 on her essay and is very worried about this issue, as that section is always her best!) You should all make sure that you emphasize a good writing score several places in your application, in case you are applying to a college which may tend to discount it in its SAT formula. It is only fair that a good score should be considered!!
Good luck to all of you...you really do inspire me!</p>

<p>depends on college. examples: georgetown dosen't use writing, carnegie mellon uses it as a sATII.
most colleges are not considering it. they are still colleteing data to determine how to use it in the future.
but it does count for some majors such as obviously journalism, creative writing</p>

<p>Yep, it depends on the colleges. Most of the ones I'm applying to don't consider it, but a couple either count it in the score or else use it as an SAT/ AP-type consideration.</p>

<p>do u guys think most colleges will use it two years from now?</p>

<p>Wow, the fact that most colleges do not use the writing really hurts me, seeing as my scores are as follows: 650 M 750 CR and 750 W. Writing is always one of my strengths and it is unfortunate that it will be completley discounted...</p>

<p>Information of how SAT writing is considered in the admissions process at a university should be on the school's website, and if not you could always ask (email, phone, visit). College Board's website also gives you the option to search colleges and view a sort of "summary" for how they treat SAT/AP/other tests in terms of admissions and placement.</p>

<p>Many public universities that aren't in the top 50 on US News's list don't bother looking at writing even if they SAY they do. Maybe they will in the future, but for now a lot of big universities like Rutgers or UMaryland or UMass don't care much for them.</p>