mowmow721

So, we all know the writing section of the SAT was seriously undermined in admissions offices in the first few years of its release.

So how is the status of it now? Anyway, to cut a long story short, I got excellent CR + M scores, and an absolutely abysmal writing score. 800 CR, 780 M.. and (drum-roll)... 650 writing. Owch.

Is it still weighted less heavily in college admissions offices? Do some colleges still throw it out?... Anyway, my opinion of it is that the essay is complete garbage, and does not reflect legitimate writing prowess at all... But admittedly, I did not prepare nearly as much for that section either. But what about adcoms?

I actually thought that a shorter, more refined essay was better for a higher score. Silly goose that I am... and my score reflects it.

dawncoming

personally I think the writing part is still not so important as CR now. Chicago U use only CR &M, and if I reflected right, Williams also use only CR&M. your CR score has already shown how competitive you are. but anyway, I think at least you should hit 700 in the writing part.
I complete agree with your opinion about essay. a pithy one is enough.
however ,to improve your SAT essay score is vastly easy. you just write the full two pages and then you get a 10. I remember that my SAT essay is very revolting, almost digressed from the topic but I still got a 10 because i made it very long. but if you have already got 10s and want to improve 2 points more I am sorry I can't help you .

driscol

I think a few colleges including a few in the Ivy League are starting to consider writing a little more. Most of them will get the feel of your writing through your essays, but a few CB college profiles list the cumulative writing section score and/or your essay score as factors in placement.

As a follow up to dawncoming, you have to include a few transitions, include a few moderate-semi difficult vocab words, and connect your ideas a little to get that 12.

pigs_at_sea

uh oh retake time. go!

mowmow721

Well, I kind of want to avoid retaking. Could be writing my essays in the time it takes to re-prep for reading and math, while doing hardcore writing prep... although a 2380 would look sweet superscored... hmmm

mowmow721

Bump. Bump. Bumparoo.

eg2333

Its hard to decide on whether to retake it or not. 1580 M + CR is an amazing score. But in regards to writing, I wouldn't worry too much about your essay score. I'm sure with CR scores like that, you can write a pretty good essay to get you at least a 10. Just focus on learning most of the grammar rules and doing practice for writing from official practice tests. To get from 650 to 800, it will really take you no longer than a week or two.