I had a GRE score of V 790(99%) Q 800 (94%), which did thrill me then, but weeks later, I was informed that my AW score was only 3.5 (23%), this was really a devastating news for me as I don't think my writing was so bad to deserve such low points. The problem may be a misinterpretation of the topic and digression. My concern is that will such a shaming AW score exclude or severely harm my chance of admission to top program (i.e. Stanford, Yale, Columbia)? Can I redeem this embarassing case by presenting well-qualified personal statement and writing sample?
