Lawrence University is making the ACT and SAT optional for admission:
Less is more when it comes to the use of standardized tests in college admissions as far as Lawrence University officials are concerned. For students enrolling for the start of the 2006-07 academic year Lawrence will no longer require students to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission consideration college officials announced Friday (2/18).
With its decision Lawrence becomes the only liberal arts college in Wisconsin and the first member of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest -- a consortium of 14 academically excellent, independent liberal arts colleges that includes Carleton, Grinnell, Macalester and the University of Chicago -- to adopt a test-optional approach.
"We've basically decided to say 'enough already,'" said Steve Syverson, dean of admissions and financial aid at Lawrence. "The recent introduction of the additional writing segments for both the SAT and ACT has further raised the level of confusion, angst and expense already associated with the admission process."
Hmmm. Confusion, angst, and expense. Let's take those in reverse order:
(1) "Expense" - The old SAT cost $29.50. The new SAT costs $41.50. As always, those who can't afford the test can apply for fee waivers. Is all this complaint about expense because of a measly $12 increase?
Of course not:
According to a Feb. 2, 2005, Business Week article, the most intensive test-preparation programs can cost as much as $1,000, while personal tutors can charge $100 to $400 an hour. The addition of the new writing component, the magazine reported, has produced a major spike in new business for both the established test-preparation companies such as Kaplan and The Princeton Review as well as new players in the market.
In other words, because test prep companies (which have nothing to do with the tests themselves, and which may or may not be any good) are jacking up their prices, the test and admissions process itself can be criticized as "too expensive". Somehow, we're supposed to assume that Lawrence applicants have no choice but to pay the $1000 in test prep fees in order to pass a test of basic high-school level skills. This from a university that charges $32,418 a year in tuition and fees.
(2) "Angst"
While students will still have the option of submitting standardized tests scores, Syverson said Lawrence will continue to use its time-tested standard of "multiple intelligences" when reviewing a student's application for admission.
"Lawrence has traditionally enrolled students that rank among the nation's highest in standardized test scores, but we have found the quality of a student's high school curriculum and the performance within that curriculum is really the best predictor of academic success here. We're seeking intelligent, engaged, motivated students who have personal strengths in creativity and leadership or outstanding talent in areas like music, art, athletics, theater or specific academic disciplines"...
"A test score provides an additional piece of information about a student's potential, but in our opinion, that added tidbit is not commensurate with the financial and emotional costs to students," said Syverson, who has been directing admissions operations at Lawrence since 1983.
Nothing wrong with admitting students based on what seems suitable for the university. However, it's strange to hear a dean brag about the traditionally-high scores for his college, yet in the same breath go on about "multiple intelligences" that don't show up on tests. Likewise, Lawrence is looking for creative, motivated, and energetic leadership types - who can't face the new SAT without suffering an emotional crisis.
(3) "Confusion"
...Studies have shown that higher standardized test scores correlate strongly with higher family income, raising questions about their legitimacy in identifying academic potential.
"The increased emphasis on the tests further disenfranchises students from less-privileged backgrounds, which then interferes with higher education's traditional mission to enhance socioeconomic mobility in America," said Syverson.
For any student not grounded in eduspeak, I'd imagine this would be confusing. For starters, it makes me wonder how a liberal arts college that charges over $32K for tuition and fees is striking a blow for "enhancing socioeconomic mobility" in the US by deciding that applicants need no longer demonstrate their college readiness skills with a $41.50 test. It also makes me wonder how no one at Lawrence understands the nature of correlations nor the concept that perhaps students with wealthier families may in fact be better prepared for college.
For the record, I believe any college should be free to make SAT scores as mandatory, or as optional, for the admissions process as trapeze-swinging ability or fluency in Esperanto. I just get tickled at the ones who are so pretentious about it.
Posted by kswygert at February 18, 2005 04:03 PM