Re: Yale joins Dartmouth in restoring admissions Testing Requirement -- <h1>IVY LEAGUE SPORTS BOARD</h1>

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Subject: Re: Yale joins Dartmouth in restoring admissions Testing Requirement

Author:
joiseyfan

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Date Posted: 11:33:34 02/22/24 Thu
In reply to: Son of Eli 's message, "Yale joins Dartmouth in restoring admissions Testing Requirement" on 09:23:33 02/22/24 Thu

I do think the ability of the applicant to submit alternatives to the SAT/ACT is to the good. The range of students and secondary schools is just too broad for those two to be optimal in every case. I can’t help but wonder if further alternative standardized test options might be called for.

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[> Subject: It Is A Small College, Yet There Are Those Who Love It

Author:
An Observer
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Date Posted: 12:31:25 02/22/24 Thu

My joy at Yale reinstating the SAT/ACT requirement is based upon two streams of rationale.

(1) Selecting applicants who have the capacity to be excellent college students and then hopefully outstanding citizens is difficult. Overall, our batting average in the Ivy League is better than institutions who do not have our brand names, but still not great on an absolute level. RedWin's anecdote about a family member who graduated from Princeton but has spun his wheels since then is far from an outlier.

Given the difficulty of the task of assembling an outstanding freshman class, why make it any more challenging by denying yourself use of additional data? That data is not perfect and, certainly, some kids have advantages in test prep and coaching that others do not. Well, let's try to control or adjust for that, instead of just saying that SAT scores are irrelevant.

SAT scores are not perfect predictors of anything, just as GPA's are not perfect predictors of anything, or teacher recommendations, or interviews. But you gather all the information you can and make the best decision you can. Don't let an imperfect test be the enemy of making a better decision.

(2) More importantly, not requiring the SAT is another symptom of the dumbing down of America. Not requiring any test of competency sends all the wrong signals to young people and the world at large. It says, "We are willingly and consciously taking a step back from being a meritocracy."

I'm curious what Harvard and Princeton will do. Harvard of course is already sensitive to sending signals after President Gay was forced to resign and Princeton had already announced that it would be test-optional for the next three admission cycles. Requiring the SAT before 2027 would be a back-track for the folks in New Jersey. But not following Dartmouth's lead will look more and more indefensible as more colleges do as Yale has done.

Dartmouth College has done a great service to American higher education and to our society. Thank you to the Big Green. You know that I was rooting for your football team all along.

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