_Chelsi Peter is a first-year journalism major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about racial injustice and entertainment for the Maneater_
A year into COVID-19, high school students are given the option to apply test-optional to top universities all around the U.S. Though, once the pandemic is over students will lose this newfound flexibility within the college admission process.
At the start of the pandemic, over 700 colleges nationwide were left with no choice but to change their strict SAT and ACT policies to not require students to submit their standardized test scores. Test-optional policies force colleges to take a more holistic view of each student, and push students to not only excel in their classes but find ways to stand out against a pool of students.
Harvard, Northwestern and Stanford, among other universities, proved this academic year that they were willing to accept students without a number placed on their resumes. Students who aren’t phenomenal test takers were allowed the chance to prove their worth to some of the top schools in America, but it seems colleges will go back to their normal policies after COVID-19.
The issue with many colleges going back to standardized testing post-pandemic is that it will instill worry in students and parents who believe the admission system is not fair to all students.
For colleges to be recognized as fair, a complete review of a student’s background should not rest solely on standardized test scores. Not only do thousands of students struggle to receive the score they want to be accepted into their preferred college, the preparation process to take the SAT or ACT is not free whatsoever. The fee to take the SAT is based on two sections of the test. Per College Board, the SAT costs $52 and the SAT with an essay portion costs $68. Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, the SAT with an essay portion will no longer be offered.
Not only are the tests pricey, but they present a barrier for low-income families and students. If one student has the means to pay for a tutor and take the test multiple times, they have a higher probability of scoring higher. Someone who cannot afford those options and chooses to study via books and take the test once is at a strong disadvantage.
A standardized test, whether it be the SAT, ACT or an AP Exam only takes students so far during and after college. Students have more to their character than a test score. If every job only accepted applicants that had perfect scores on their standardized tests, there would be no room for those who are just as dedicated and possibly better qualified.
If the SATs are a measure of both knowledge and intelligence, why does it feel like colleges only care about intelligence? Colleges need to stop viewing students as statistics and allow room for students who prefer not to send their scores.
In 2018, a study was conducted by Steve Syverson, the assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management at the University of Washington at Bothell. The study offered data from 28 colleges with test-optional policies and compared it to data from similar institutions that required testing. The study concluded that tests remarkably fail to identify natural talent in applicants and that applicants who choose not to send their test scores are just as smart and make wise decisions. The study also found that underrepresented ethnic groups are more likely to not submit their test scores. Thirty-five percent of Black students opted not to submit, while 18% of white students chose not to submit.
The outstanding amount of confidence placed in the effectiveness of ACT and SAT results discourages numerous smart and unique students from applying to such selective admissions, leaving no room for students to thrive at their preferred schools.
Over the years, colleges that have implemented test-optional policies have seen an increase in the diversity of applicants, especially from low-income families, first-generation students and minority students. Wake Forest University implemented its test-optional policy in 2008, and by 2018 had a decade’s worth of experience and statistics. The previous class admitted with required tests had 18% of its students from underrepresented minority groups. By 2017, diversity within minority groups was up to 29%.
After all the hard work students put in during high school, they do not deserve to be put into a category based on their test scores. With or without test scores, every student deserves the opportunity to be fully looked at during the application process. Numbers should not rule a decision on someone’s education.
_The NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund uses litigation and advocacy to work towards reforming the criminal justice system, racial justice and equality for all Americans. We at The Maneater encourage you to donate to this cause. Donations can be made at: https://act.naacpldf.org/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=15780&_ga=2.114515399.1331735723.1611369543-207180302.1611369543 _
_Edited by Sofi Zeman l szeman@themaneater.com_