Profiles of Local Schools: The Writing Sections

We asked schools about the preferences and attitudes towards the writing sections of both the SAT and the ACT. Here’s what we learned:

Towson University: If you take the ACT, Towson requires you to take the ACT Plus Writing. Towson also uses the SAT Writing score for admissions;

Johns Hopkins University: If you take the ACT, Hopkins requires you to take the ACT Plus Writing. Hopkins does consider the SAT Writing score in the admissions process.

George Washington University: The ACT Plus Writing (as opposed to just the ACT) is recommended, but not required. GW uses the SAT Writing score for admissions.

University of Maryland: If you take the ACT, the school requires you to take the ACT Plus Writing. The school does not use the SAT writing score in admissions, because it’s “too new,” according to the rep we talked to. The school does, however, consider the ACT Writing score though (as it affects the composite score).

Georgetown University: Admissions doesn’t look at your SAT Writing score. You are not required to take the ACT Plus Writing (as opposed to the regular ACT), and your ACT Writing subscore will not be considered (though your composite score will be affected by the Writing subscore).

University of Virginia: UVA will accept either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing. The Writing scores for both tests will be used in the admissions process; additionally, the SAT Writing score will be used in the placement process.

College of William & Mary: Admissions looks primarily at the Math and Reading section scores of the SAT, placing less emphasis on the Writing score but considering it nonetheless. When considering ACT scores, W&M looks at the single best composite score (rather than looking at the individual subscores or putting together a Super Composite Score out of the best subscores).

Virginia Tech: Tech accepts either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing. Writing scores (from either test) are not considered in the admissions process, but are used for placement purposes.

James Madison University: JMU doesn’t consider the Writing score for either test.

George Mason University: If you opt to take the ACT, the ACT Plus Writing is “recommended.” The writing section of the SAT, however, is not considered.

The bottom line: Everyone treats the SAT Writing Section differently. If you don’t know which schools you’re going to apply to yet, prepare just as thoroughly for that section as you would for the others. If you do know—and your preferred school isn’t listed here—absolutely do your research and figure out how the Writing score is used. Call us if you want help deciphering Admission-ese.