Bad SAT Essay Score

I took the SAT twice, once with the essay. I have a 1540 super scored, but my essay got a 17/25 because I suck at timed writes― though I got a 5 on my AP Lang exam (not sure if that’ll soften the blow).

I want to get into Boston College and Northeastern. Should I work on my writing skills more and then retake the SAT a third time with the essay? Should I not send it in? Should I focus on the subject tests? I’m worried that I’ll retake it and won’t do any better, wasting another hundred dollars, but also that I won’t retake it and give up a chance to gain an edge.

Don’t worry about the essay score. Move on to subject tests. Congratulations on a great score!

(A) Most colleges that previously required SAT Essay or ACT Essay have made essays optionaland neither BC nor NEU requires the essay part.

(B) A 17 is not a bad score.

© The essay component will not “gain an edge;” you will not get bonus points for submitting more than required.

(D) Move on.