<p>At a seminar during a visit this year, I remember that the speaker stated that the writing portion is disregarded - at least for WCAS. I have read somewhere on these boards that Medill does look at your SAT writing. If you look at recent newscenter publications such as the following: [Northwestern</a> Freshman Class Has Record SAT Scores, Class Ranking : Northwestern University Newscenter](<a href=“http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2009/05/froshadmissions.html]Northwestern”>Northwestern Freshman Class Has Record SAT Scores, Class Ranking: Northwestern University News), you will notice they report scores on a 1600 scale. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, if you look at following, you will notice that NU requires that the ACT is to be taken with the optional writing section:
[SAT/ACT</a> Frequently asked questions, Freshman, Office of Undergraduate Admission - Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/freshman/faq/sat-act.htm]SAT/ACT”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/freshman/faq/sat-act.htm)</p>
<p>I personally wouldn’t risk it and try to get the best score possible across the board - whether or not NU looks at writing scores or not should not determine your performance on the test.</p>
<p>Perhaps someone else on these boards can provide a more conclusive answer, but at the very least the CR + Math section is more important than the Writing section on the reasoning test - but I believe this to be the case at most schools.</p>