How much does SAT writing matter?

Test Preparation
1

<p>So the title basically explains it. Whenever I look for a range of scores for different schools, I tend to see ranges of the math and reading composites, but not really the writing. So how important is the writing section really?</p>

2

<p>Depends on the school. Most schools look primarily at your composite score (C+M+W) for admission. Some also look at the essay subsccore. Some look only at the C+M composite. A few (tech schools) weight the math section. </p>

<p>If you dont see a range for the writing it may be that you are looking at a C+M school. What schools are you thinking about ?</p>

3

<p>well I was thinking maybe Cornell or University of Chicago as reach schools, and also a few small liberal arts colleges, but my writing score was pretty bad so maybe I have to reevaluate…</p>

4

<p>W does not matter as much as M + R. just keep that in mind.</p>

5

<p>The writing definitely matters. I am not sure if the two people who are telling you that the writing section is “useless” are just trying to be sarcastic or not, but writing does indeed matter for most colleges and universities, including the selective ones. It may matter less for STEM/ tech type of schools (Cal Tech, RPI)–I’m not sure on this, though. However, I know that it counts for the other selective colleges. Just because writing was not a part of the SAT 10 yrs ago, doesn’t mean that it is not important now! The colleges look at all three scores (and for the ACT, all four).</p>