Respectfully, I disagree. Test-optional policies are a smokescreen: they let colleges look woke while still doing whatever they want. And what do they do? The best evidence we have on test-optional colleges indicates that they let in score-submitters at higher rates than non-score-submitters. There are probably a number of reasons for th…
Respectfully, I disagree. Test-optional policies are a smokescreen: they let colleges look woke while still doing whatever they want. And what do they do? The best evidence we have on test-optional colleges indicates that they let in score-submitters at higher rates than non-score-submitters.
There are probably a number of reasons for that:
1. Non-score-submitters probably tend to have lower scores and be less smart and so stood lower chances of admissions anyway
2. Colleges probably assume point 1 about non-score-submitters, even if it isn't true
3. Colleges have less information about non-score-submitters. They don't want to make risky bets on such kids, who might wash out and pull down their four- and six-year graduation stats, which are important in the US News rankings
For more clear-eyed, empirical, and actionable takes on college admissions, read Clarke College Insight! :)
Respectfully, I disagree. Test-optional policies are a smokescreen: they let colleges look woke while still doing whatever they want. And what do they do? The best evidence we have on test-optional colleges indicates that they let in score-submitters at higher rates than non-score-submitters.
There are probably a number of reasons for that:
1. Non-score-submitters probably tend to have lower scores and be less smart and so stood lower chances of admissions anyway
2. Colleges probably assume point 1 about non-score-submitters, even if it isn't true
3. Colleges have less information about non-score-submitters. They don't want to make risky bets on such kids, who might wash out and pull down their four- and six-year graduation stats, which are important in the US News rankings
For more clear-eyed, empirical, and actionable takes on college admissions, read Clarke College Insight! :)