College Admissions: 10 easy suggestions

The college admissions process is constantly criticized. Sometimes I feel the criticism is justified. Often, I do not. Too often those who condemn the process, do not offer alternatives. Rather, proponents of change, argue with obvious statements such as colleges should do away with the ACT and SAT altogether. Well, sounds good, but what would be the alternative to these tests? We all know that the 21st century is rampant with grade inflation: students who receive As in AP Chemistry courses and score in the 30th percentile on the AP exam. Something tells me that such students don't really deserve As in AP Chem, and worse, teachers in these courses are promoting the need for standardized tests.

Recently, I came across an interesting article written by Jay Matthews, College Admissions: 10 easy suggestions. He makes some interesting suggestions, such as writing college essays in class or replacing SAT scores with AP scores. It's worth a read.

'UC Score' replaces ACT, SAT scores

Yet another reason to take either the SAT or ACT; that's it. In an attempt to temper the anxiety regarding which college admission test to take, the UC system has decided to convert SAT and ACT scores into "a separate, neutral scale". Students, your perfect score of 2400 on the SAT will now be a 100 on your application; furthermore, your perfect ACT score of 36 will also be a 100. Applicants for fall 2007 will be the first to use this new scaling system.

Susan Wilbur, UC director of undergraduate admissions, said the reason for the new scoring system is to ensure students feel their scores, whether from the SAT or ACT exam, are impartially evaluated.

It sounds as if the UCs have been getting too many phone calls from parents about whether or not students should submit SAT or ACT scores. While this change in scaling may appease some, it will not affect admissions in any way, shape, or form.

A calculator has been provided to calculate your 'UC Score', click here.
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Tufts looks to redesign college admissions

Tufts university - another great MA college - is making an attempt to standardize the creative side of the application process. Why?

Robert Sternberg, the school's dean of arts and sciences whose research provided the impetus behind the move argues, "Tests such as the SAT or ACT measure memory and analytical skills, but they do not measure creative, practical or wisdom-related skills. Research shows that the latter sets of skills are important in school and life."

As the pilot program gets under way for select 2007 applicants, some students will be given the option to create either an advertisement or write a creative essay. Writing prompts could ask students to evaluate how history would have changed had a certain famous event turned out differently or to write a story from a creative title.

While this sounds interesting, I don't think it will revolutionize college admissions. The biggest issue: how are creative writing samples any easier to measure than a regular admissions essay. They're not.

If you want to read the full articles, click here.