<p>I am a junior in High school (located 20 min from U of R) and am very interested in the U of R. I just got my first SATs back. My scores out of 1600 are slightly below the accepted average, but my scores out of 2400 are fairly above (I got a 750 on the writing). Does anyone know how much the U of R cares about the writing SATs?</p>
<p>I do not have a basis from which to answer your question directly, and am curious to hear what others have to say.</p>
<p>My advice to you is take the ACTs, too. In fact, I would recommend that you take both the SAT and ACT twice each. And, prep for each test in an honest effort to improve and do the best you can. Then figure out which results are the best and just send those to the schools you apply to.</p>
<p>Lippmaniac… We do consider the Writing section of the test. While we have traditionally focused on the Critical Reading and Math sections of the test, the Writing section seems to be gaining in importance. I certainly make note of a strong performance on any one particular section of the SAT, including the Writing section.</p>
<p>Also, remember that testing is only one of many criteria that we consider. I am much more interested in your transcript, letters of recommendation, etc… though I will certainly still consider the SAT and/or ACT.</p>
<p>When I was in high school, I took the SAT once and the ACT twice. I think akdad has it right to take them each at least once. Some people perform better on a particular test, and then you can retake that one to improve your score. I am not particularly successful in math, and at the time of my testing SAT was Reading and Math only. When I did the ACT, there were 2 language sections, 1 Science, and 1 Math. De-emphasizing the math to focus on science and language, areas where I’m strong, really improved my test scores. Taking the tests once to know how you score and then again to improve sounds like a solid approach to me.</p>
<p>I think it is important to appropriately prepare for the SAT/ACT, and it may be that many students benefit from taking one or both tests multiple times. However, as I mentioned previously, testing is one piece of a much more complex process. If a student is concerned about testing, he/she will likely benefit from interviewing, making sure to write a strong essay, etc. There are other ways to compensate for low test scores.</p>
<p>I think the advice given here is strong, but I do want students to know that there are ways to overcome weak testing, and that repeated testing can be more stress than is necessary at times.</p>