Reply to If all testing goes away, how will students know where to apply?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

To summarize this thread:

1. Colleges are too dumb to pick the right kids without SATs so their students will fail out.
2. Students are too dumb to pick the right college for them without SATs so they will fail out.

How the hell did any of these people get near college, anyway?  They all sound incredibly stupid!  Please, college board, save them all from their own ineptitude![/quote]

This sounds cute, but it’s not helpful. For the last 100 years, American colleges have used some type of examination to gauge student preparation (see  https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/281336/). Examinations started when common people wanted to attend. Prior to that, there were economic barriers, like cost, social circles, and ability to read Greek and Latin (definitely not needed for farm workers’ and shop keepers’ children). The point is, you may not like test scores, but at least they’re on target for the issue at hand (academics), not unrelated factors like legacy, large donations, personal references, etc.[/quote]

It wasn’t intended to  be helpful beyond pointing out the ludicrous points it makes fun of.  In that respect, apparently, it was very helpful.

As for test scores being “on target for the issue at hand” I hope you realize the opinions of the folks that matter — college officials — vary widely on that topic.  I do not claim to be an expert and in fact I think colleges should be allowed to use whatever criteria they want.

But the “we’re doomed!  Idiot kids who took my kid’s spot are gonna fail out now!!” Is patently absurd and should stop.[/quote]

I’m not concerned about your last point. If unqualified kids are accepted this year, they are few and on the margin. The reality is, college AOs are talking two games. On the one hand, they talk about test discrimination. On the other hand, they mostly accept kids with scores. This year, 75% of the students accepted in UPenn’s ED round submitted scores. The other 25% is close to UPenn’s typical non-Asian minority admit rate. Did anything really change this year? Probably not, except Penn had more flexibility to choose the marginal candidates they desired. However, that scenario is very different from a world where NO ONE SUBMITS SCORES. I don’t think most selective schools want to go there. Instead, I think they will continue the test optional language as long as the expected candidates -white, Asian, and wealthy (of any race) - submit scores.[/quote]

Are you the same poster or a DP?

If the result is not fundamentally different this year, then what are you causing a brouhaha about?

As for your second point, if you don’t think most schools “want to go there” - then what are you worried about?[/quote]

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