<p>During PreVu we were told Vanderbilt does not "use" the writing score for admissions. However, will the adcoms at least look at it? My son did not do as well as he had hoped in the English section of the SAT, but considerably better in the writing section, and has always done well in English classes. He's pretty down about the score....</p>
<p>It is interesting they would tell you that, given that the Vanderbilt Univ. Common Data Set 2006-2007 indicates that they do use the SAT Writing score for admissions, placement, and as a validity check on the application essay. See below, section C8C.</p>
<p>I'll admit, midmo, what you cited is inconsistent with what I heard and wrote down at PreVU. And following up on what you wrote, a Google search just turned up this from the Vanderbilt Admissions site:</p>
<p>What is Vanderbilts policy regarding the writing portions of the SAT and ACT?</p>
<p>Vanderbilt requires that at least one of an applicants official test score reports from the ACT or SAT include a writing section subscore. The SAT automatically includes the writing section, while students taking the ACT must elect to take the optional writing portion.</p>
<p>Maybe on reflection they changed the policy? Or...I misheard.</p>
<p>They do not use the writing section for admission, I have already spoked with the admission person about this, it is a definate no from what I have heard, have him retake if he is not happy with the score, but unfortunetly for him it's not looked at for admission.</p>
<p>If admitted and matriculated, I believe the writing score is used for placement purposes. At least that was the case with my kids. Otherwise at summer orientation or upon arriving in the fall, a placement test is required. Again, things change frequently, but I think that continues to be true.</p>