07

The most active thread yesterday was titled, "Spikes and hooks are the least 'equitable' things out there? Why are Ivies so into them?" and posted in the "College and University Discussion" forum. This thread is really another in a very long series of threads resulting from the trend among colleges and universities to make standardized tests optional for admissions applications. The original poster argues that "musical ability, theatre, and esoteric extracurricular and leadership accomplishment" are functions of privilege and, in fact, more inequitable than standardized tests. One of the criticisms of standardized tests is that they favor those privileged to have undergone intensive test preparation. The original poster turns this argument around and argues that factors that are highly regarded in holistic admissions policies such as musical or theatrical talent are developed through significant investment of parents' time and money which requires even more privilege. I've only read the first page of responses, but those posts show that some posters refute the original poster's argument and claim that their kids' talents were developed mostly through the children's own initiative with minimal parental support. The original poster is unrelenting in her insistance that only privileged children are capable of such accomplishments and that this exposes the hypocrisy of test optional admissions policies. Admittedly, I am not an expert in the topic, but based on my own observations, top athletes, musicians, or actors all have innate abilities. Yes, those talents must be developed for the individuals to reach top levels, but that does not always require the sort of investment the original poster imagines. Soccer and baseball, to name just two sports, are full of athletes from very humble origins. What privilege those individuals have is mostly a result of talent and hard work. Moreover, the original poster accepts as fact that dropping test requirements is purely motivated by "equity" concerns. I am not sure that argument is as well-founded as the original poster imagines. Similarly, the original poster implies that top athletes, musicians, and actors only pursue those activities in order to enhance college applications. In other words, in this poster's mind, there is no difference between a test preparation course and piano lessons. I think many would disagree with that assessment.