THE MOST TO GAIN AND THE MOST TO LOSE
"I don't mind taking standardized tests. I just don't like how they dictate your future...There's a lot of pressure for a single test, and it simply tests how students can do under a time constraint." (Emily Shlapak, a rising Senior at Indian Hills High School located in Oakland, New Jersey).
By far the most influential player in the college admissions process includes the ones who put in countless hours of work and preparation in the classroom and community. This work is often considered a necessity in order to get into ‘top’ universities, however most often the largest percentage of effort comes in the form of test preparation.
Some students possess natural intellectual abilities or choose to prepare only a little for these tests, while on the other hand others and their parents spend countless hours prepping and equally outrageous amounts of money on test preparation.
While some may consider standardized tests and the college admissions process to be a game which high school students need to play in order to be successful in the future. Like any competition there are both winners and losers, respectfully those who get admitted to their top colleges and those who don’t. Students feel both the rewards and consequences which amount from their work and effort, or lack of and provide an accurate analysis of whether standardized tests are definite indicators in the college admissions process.
What are often considered the ‘brightest’ students may receive high standardized test scores in the top percentiles and for these reasons they are often included in the groups which possess high acceptance rates into top universities (as seen in UCLA’s Fall 2013 admission statistics). These students most often feel that their intelligence aided them in leading them to their dreams of attending one of their top choice schools. For every single intelligent person in the classroom, there is another one who is equally gifted on the field or aiding in their community. Most often, if these students don’t have equally impressive standardized test scores, their other achievements can be overlooked placing them at the middle or bottom of the pile.
Upon hearing the words ‘standardized tests’ many shudder with a sense of anxiety and stress, which students typically conclude originates from the thought that these tests and the scores they receive dictate their future. While this may be an exaggeration, many share the belief that one’s intelligence may be equated to a number is just as absurd of an idea.
The fact that some notable universities (see Hofstra University and American University) are turning towards “test-optional” admissions requirements adds backing to the case that the current reliance on standardized tests is becoming a thing of the past. These modifications, along with those to the SAT indicate a trend that many students praise will both reduce stress and open the door for concentration on other important activities which they partake in.
The question to students largely remains where do they need to concentrate their time and effort in order to appeal to college admissions counselors and truly what are those counselors mainly searching for as they hunt through endless applications.
Banner Photo courtesy of Peeter Jontes (Flickr).
Opening Quote courtesy of Justin Peligri from USA TODAY. "No, the SAT is not required. More colleges join test-optional train." (7 July, 2014).
Chart Image courtesy of yescollege.com (Google Images).
Video courtesy of Tufts Admission (YouTube).
Opening Quote courtesy of Justin Peligri from USA TODAY. "No, the SAT is not required. More colleges join test-optional train." (7 July, 2014).
Chart Image courtesy of yescollege.com (Google Images).
Video courtesy of Tufts Admission (YouTube).