I recently took the GMAT and received a 4.5 AWA score. Will this negatively impact my applications?
I don't think that a score of 4.5 will affect your application, particularly if you are a non-native speaker (since you'll also have to submit TOEFL scores). Remember, no one cares about the AWA in rankings, so there's honestly no point in stressing over them.
I understand that AWA scores are "there" just to make sure you have not had someone write your app essays for you (i.e. an admissions consultant who did not merely edit the essays). If you got 2 in the AWA but presented stellar essays, someone might raise an eyebrow. But I think you'll be just fine.
