Which Colleges Require SAT Essay and What They Expect in It

In the context of higher education, the SAT essay section has become an integral part of many colleges’ evaluation criteria. While the majority of institutions in the United States do not solely rely on SAT scores for admission, several colleges do require students to submit their SAT essay scores along with their applications. Here are some colleges that mandate the SAT essay and what they expect from it.

Colleges That Require SAT Essay Scores

1. Harvard University: One of the most prestigious institutions in the United States, Harvard considers the SAT essay as an indicator of a student’s writing abilities and critical thinking skills.
2. Yale University: Yale expects all applicants to submit their SAT essay scores, evaluating them along with other aspects of the application to assess readiness for their rigorous academic programs.
3. Columbia University: This Ivy League school uses the SAT essay as a tool to evaluate students’ writing abilities and arguments, assessing their capacity to engage in college-level discourse.

What these Colleges Expect in the SAT Essay

These colleges are not just looking at a high SAT essay score; they are seeking evidence of critical thinking, logical reasoning, and coherent writing. The essay provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to engage with complex issues, present arguments effectively, and express coherent thoughts in a structured manner. Applicants are expected to present their views, evidence, and analysis with clarity and coherence, showing an ability to think beyond mere memorization and understand complex concepts.

Additionally, these colleges look for evidence of depth in thought and understanding of the subject matter. They want to see how students approach problems, their capacity to analyze and evaluate different perspectives, and their capacity to formulate a well-reasoned argument supported by evidence.

In sum, the SAT essay has become an integral part of the college application process for many institutions in the United States. While each college has its own specific expectations and evaluation criteria, they generally seek evidence of critical thinking, logical reasoning, coherent writing, and depth of understanding of subject matter in this section of the exam. Students applying to these colleges should prepare thoroughly for the SAT essay, focusing on writing clearly, engaging with complex issues, and presenting well-reasoned arguments supported by evidence.

Related Q&A:

Q: How does the SAT essay help colleges evaluate applicants? A: The SAT essay provides colleges with an insight into a student’s writing abilities, critical thinking skills, and depth of understanding of subject matter. This helps them assess whether a student is ready for their rigorous academic programs.

Q: What skills are colleges looking for in the SAT essay? A: Colleges are looking for evidence of critical thinking, logical reasoning, coherent writing, depth of thought and understanding of subject matter in the SAT essay. They want to see how students approach problems, their capacity to analyze and evaluate different perspectives, and their ability to formulate well-reasoned arguments supported by evidence.

Q: What can students do to prepare for the SAT essay? A: Students should focus on writing clearly, engaging with complex issues, reading widely, analyzing arguments, and practicing structured writing exercises to prepare for the SAT essay. They should also seek feedback from teachers or mentors to improve their writing further.