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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Why don't they base admissions on IQ tests taken when applicants are too young to be coached on test taking strategies? Pure intelligence, sort of like how sports used to be, pure athletic talent.[/quote]

Because eligibility to present-day Olympics is not based on your 100 IM eight and under time in the mini-meet when yoou were in the 2nd grade.

Of course, the kid suffering a severe head injury in a car accident as an adolescent may have more than a loss in cognitive function but a big drop in WPSSI score!

[/quote]

Athletic ability improves as you get older, up to a point. But your IQ stays the same unless you have a head injury or mental illness.[/quote]

Again, IQ isn't everything. There are plenty of adults with 150 IQs who are languishing in cubicles because they have no ambition and/or confidence. There are also lots of adults with IQs of 120 who are captains of industry, because they are go-getters.

I think one thing colleges may be trying to measure, when they look for a "passion" or "talent", is actually the kid's persistence and drive, and leadership skills. When a college sees a kid with great soccer skills, they think, here's a kid who persisted, pushed herself, overcame failure, and worked with a team. Of course, they are also thinking "this kid will help our soccer team win, which will make the alumns happy and bring in more alum donations." But at the same time, colleges know these kids (and the debating team president and the school newspaper editor) are often the leaders and go-getters.

Creativity is another thing colleges want. High SAT scores are no guarantee you have creativity, whatever that means. Also, you can study for the SAT, to some extent. You can even study for IQ tests to some extent (anyone remember "have your kid do IQ prep instead of sports" mom?).[/quote]

The leadership positions and creativity are based on subjective criteria. So if you do not fall into society's acceptance of those who possess skills how else can you distinguish yourself but through meritocratic means. But when those who are thought to be the leaders or considered creative also learn to game the meritocratic system they take away opportunities from those who are talented in this area but not in the other areas. In other words, the popular kids always win. But maybe such is life.[/quote]

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