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Many top schools are no longer requiring test scores in fact. There is an argument that the test itself is somehow biased against under-represented groups. Also
by unishark 7y ago
Many top schools are no longer requiring test scores in fact. There is an argument that the test itself is somehow biased against under-represented groups. Also, less nobly, if a school makes test scores optional, their average test scores increase (which is a factor in rankings) since students will only submit them if they have good scores.
- saagarjha 7y ago> Many top schools are no longer requiring test scores in fact. When I applied to college, there were a number of schools that has something that was “optional” but word on the street was that you’d have no hope of getting in without it. How “optional” are these, really?
- iends 7y agoIt’s probably like a lot of companies that offer remote work: if you have demonstrated already you are world class, they’ll make exceptions.
- saagarjha 7y agoFWIW, all the people I know who went to “world class” universities did all the “optional” things.
- unishark 7y agoI have been on admissions committees and there is of course the possibility in your mind that students who did not submit scores probably had bad ones. I certainly prefer having scores. But when tests are optional, plenty people will also just want to save the $50 or whatever it costs to take the thing. Particularly from poorer families. So you can't be sure and hate to reject a super candidate on this reason alone. Also there's always some people in admissions who are adamantly anti-test anyway. They do look deeper into the high school's reputation and individual course grades to make up the missing info that the test would have provided.