Writing Section, does it really matter?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, when school starts this year I'm going to become a senior and I will be writing colleges apps soon. I was wondering if colleges really look at the Writing section on the new SAT. I've asked a few close friends and have been getting mixed messages. "Some colleges do, some don't." And also, I've looked at a few colleges applications, most ask for your SAT writing score, which really scares me since... I got CR=730 Math=770 Writing=510 (yikes!). AND some college applications ask for your highest "overall" scores for each section. (overall meaning every SAT test scores) And I'm sure I can improve on my writing but I can't guarantee a higher, or even same CR score.</p>

<p>So, after all this babbling, I was just wondering if colleges really do look at and consider the SAT writing section or not?</p>

<p>And, should I re-take the SAT and improve my writing section?</p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.</p>

<p>Btw, I just popped my College-Confidential-Posting "cherry," aka this is my first post! Haha. But, this is beside the point. Help me! Answer my question!...plz</p>

2

<p><a href="http://www.kaptest.com/Kaplan/Article/College/SAT/Learn-About-the-SAT/CO_sat_surveyresults.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.kaptest.com/Kaplan/Article/College/SAT/Learn-About-the-SAT/CO_sat_surveyresults.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

3

<p>some colleges will definitely look at your writing section. obviously, they don't wanna see a low writing grade because it IS the SATs. you should still try to get a good score on that section. it's just that they need another few years to be able to have a score range with the new SAT.</p>

4

<p>colleges take the best composite score</p>

<p>so it doesn't matter that much if you go down a few points in CR because you can always keep the 730</p>

5

<p>Hi, Thanks jimbob1225, souped4college, and sagarmatha. I was just wondering the credibility of the site jimbob1225 gave me. How does it know that those colleges are "plan[ing] to give the Writing section More Weight, Equal Weight, Lesser Weight, or No Weight relative to the Math and Critical Reading sections this year."?? Just a question. Thanks for the reference though, I just want to know I can trust it, if it's true, I'm considering not taking the SAT again, 1500 on the 1600 scale is more than enough for me!</p>

6

<p>That list is the result of a survey sent to colleges by Kaplan, a reputable college prep group.</p>

7

<p>I can understand "less weight", but the fact that Yale and MIT don't consider the Writing Section at all is very surprising.</p>

<p>And what about schools like UPenn, Northwestern, Chicago, JHU, etc?</p>

8

<p>It's a new section that isn't easily translated into some AI, at least, not yet.</p>

9

<p>So... Would you guys recommend me in taking the SAT all over again.. JUST to improve the writing section? While... risking the chance of getting a worse CR score?</p>

10

<p>yes...do it...because colleges look at the HIGHEST scores youve gotten for each section. so if you got a 750 on CR the first time, then a 400 on the retake, they'd look at your 750.</p>

11

<p>I dont care much for the writing and neither do most colleges.</p>

12

<p>Haha... I wish you would be my admissions officer than!</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
because colleges look at the HIGHEST scores youve gotten for each section. so if you got a 750 on CR the first time, then a 400 on the retake, they'd look at your 750.

[/quote]

This would be true for many, perhaps most, schools; however, this is NOT true for some -- including the University of California system, which will accept the highest score from any one test sitting/administration date.</p>

14

<p>Mcdz-- study and practice the writing section. I know of several kids who raised their writing score on the new SAT from the mid 500s to the mid 600s despite receiving a 6 or 7 on the essay each time- including my S! Nailing the rest of the writing SAT by studying the grammar and punction rules can raise your score 100 points or more. Your other scores are terrific and this score has to come up. Don't be discouraged- pick up a study guide and and try again!</p>

15

<p>Retake it!</p>

<p>While your M+V is phenomenal....your Writing score, not to sound mean, is dismal.</p>

<p>510...that's not good, no matter how strong your other scores are.</p>

16

<p>Haha, it's ok. Thanks for the honesty though, that's all that matters. Uhmm, like I've said before, I'm scared I might not be consistent in my CR score, will that greatly impact me? As in I get 730 this time, and then I drop to 650 next time...? Or is it really true that they just look for the highest scores out of all the tests you took? THanks everyone for the replies!</p>