SAT writing score will be considered

Scores on the SAT writing test will now be part of the University of Georgia's admissions formula.

Admissions officials use a formula to decide whether high school students who apply to UGA will be admitted. About two-thirds of a student's admissions score historically was based on grades and about a third on the student's verbal and math scores on the SAT.

Beginning with next fall's freshmen, the calculation will include all three parts of the SAT, with writing carrying the most weight. Students can also take a competing test, the ACT.

The university has required students to submit SAT or ACT writing scores since 2005 but has not counted the scores in its admissions formula, which is designed to predict how well applicants will perform at UGA.

High school grades will remain the most important factor, according to the formula approved Thursday by the Faculty Admissions Committee of University Council, a faculty, staff and student advisory body.

Test scores will now count for 29 percent in the formula for in-state applicants -- down from 36 percent. High school grades will account for the rest.

The new formula will predict success more accurately, said Nancy McDuff, UGA's associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management.

The committee also approved changes in how admissions officials consider out-of-state applicants, whose SAT scores will now be even more important, counting for 34 percent instead of 24 percent.

UGA officials told prospective students of the new writing requirement earlier this year, even before the committee approved the change.

Since 2005, admissions officials didn't consider the writing scores for automatic acceptance, but they sometimes used them to evaluate applicants who weren't accepted automatically, Ms. McDuff said.