I've mentioned Cliff Sjogren and his unusual ideas for modifying the college admissions process before. Jay Mathews solicited letters asking Ms. Sjogren, and everyone else, to describe how they would change college admissions. The results? Well, they're pretty..revolutionary.
Clifford Sjogren, former chief admissions officer at the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California [a summary of his original idea]:
Emphasize high school grades, adjusted for each high school's degree of grading difficulty. Replace early decision plans with nonbinding rolling admission. Consider SAT or ACT scores only if they are average or above average, because low scores may not mean low ability. Welcome a written student statement on anything that might interest the college. De-emphasize extracurricular activities and eliminate legacy and faculty preferences for in-state public university applicants...
As I pointed out before, low SAT scores and high grades might point to grade inflation, so if the interest here is to judge each high school's degree of "grading difficulty", the SAT scores of their students would come in quite handy for that. Yes, some smart students bomb out on tests, but if large numbers of A students do poorly on the SAT, something other than test anxiety is to blame. And I hope the written student statement will be assessed for the quality of the writing, and not just the topic chosen.
Rod Davis, Parent:
For selective colleges, especially tax-supported public colleges, I am now convinced that for the two-thirds of every class that is admitted without special considerations being given, the decision should be reached through a lottery. That lottery should be open to any and all applicants that pass a substantive test or tests, like the SAT II or AP tests, formulated by the college or consortium of colleges. The tests should measure those skills and knowledge each college believes are essential for success.
In other words, first make sure they've got the skills, then use the lottery system (in place of, I assume, "diversity," essays, legacies, etc.). This doesn't remove all the controversy about the tests, though.
Virginia Kim, Law student:
Do not even bother requesting the SAT or ACT. Focus instead on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests, which almost all selective college applicants take, and since most students don't take them until the end of their senior year, require a year off. Do not accept applications from current high school seniors. Instead, schools should require all applicants to have their high school degree in hand at the time of the application.
Okay, but what do they do for that year? And what about students who attend high schools that don't offer AP classes? Is the AP exam standard the same as now what's require to exempt certain college courses?
Martha Marrazza, Junior Walt Whitman High School:
Emphasize diversity in applicants, with a point system that rewards passionate or unique students; applicants who net the most points are accepted. Points for extracurricular activities, leadership or honor positions are doubly counted. SAT or ACT scores only act as tiebreakers when there is a deadlock between two otherwise qualified students.
Technically, everyone is unique, and you can be passionate and still be undisciplined, or dumb as a post. Do all extracurricular activities count the same, and aren't most leadership position points going to reward the popular over the loners? And if the SAT/ACT is meaningful enough to be a tiebreaker, why not use it earlier in the process.
Fred Reed, Writer and parent
Avoid college altogether by establishing a difficult test, a longer and more detailed version of the Graduate Record Exam, that could be used as proof of a college education even if you do not have a degree, just as the GED test can be used in lieu of a high school diploma. This would prove that you were ready for college-level jobs even if you didn't go to college.
I don't think that's really possible, and it make my head hurt just to think about designing such an exam. And oh the howls of outrage from those who fail; talk about "high-stakes"!
Posted by kswygert at January 27, 2004 11:24 PM