Mentioning low AW GRE score in the SOP

[Strangefox]

Hi!

Some people say that it is necessary to mention major flaws of your application in the SOP. My biggest flaw so far is 3.5 AW score. Should I write something about it? The only explanation I have is that I am an international student and that the analytical writing section is a stupid, stupid, stupid part of GRE!!!! but they will already know about that from other parts of my application. My verbal GRE score is 640 and I believe that my SOP and the writing sample are well written. I really would not like to mention AW score because I do not know how to approach the topic, I don't feel that it is necessary and I don't have space for that in my SOP!!!

May be I am wrong? What do you think?

Thanks!

[fuzzylogician]

Don't mention it.

You don't have a good explanation anyway, and besides a low AW score is not a "major flaw". Better use the space for something more constructive.

[Strangefox]

Don't mention it.

You don't have a good explanation anyway, and besides a low AW score is not a "major flaw". Better use the space for something more constructive.

Thanks, Fuzzy!

[UnlikelyGrad]

I agree with fuzzylogician--don't mention it.

Better to write an SoP that really kicks butt--that will show them that you actually *can* write well.

[oooeee]

Agree also. Use your SOP as your replacement AW piece. If it's well written they shouldn't have a problem.

[Strangefox]

Agree also. Use your SOP as your replacement AW piece. If it's well written they shouldn't have a problem.

UnlikelyGrad and oooeee: thanks for the advice!

[centurysun]

my AW is only a little bit higher than yours.