Feature Article: Commentary on the Changes to the University of California’s SAT/ACT Policy

Based on a legal ruling in early September, the University of California is no longer allowed to accept SAT or ACT scores as part of any admission decisions moving forward, based on the concept that these ‘standardized’ tests are neither fair nor equitable. This decision is being hailed as a victory for low income, international, and disabled students, who do not have the same chances of success, or access, on these high-stakes exams as other students might. This article is not about passing judgment on this statement or court ruling. So, we throw them out (the test scores). Let's examine the rest of the major players in the decision-making process and see what we find...

Curriculum: considered the 'top dog' in the roster at many schools (the UC’s included). How much rigor did you take on in your high school classes? Usually measured by AP, IB, or honors programming...but wait...not all schools offer these programs, or in varying quantities...so that is neither fair nor equitable...so I guess we should discount those in the mix.

How about grades/GPA? Obviously a very big factor in the admission decision. Oh wait...there's a heck of a lot of grade inflation these days. The average GPA in this country is up approximately .3-.4 points in one generation. Is this generation that much smarter than the last one or is something else going on? Further, there are some schools that simply capitulate to parents who push B+ grades into A- grades, either through threats of lawsuits or simple harassment of school faculty, while other schools tow the line and hold a high standard... so that creates a situation that is neither fair nor equitable. I guess we should discard grades/GPA from the mix too.

Essays are next on the list. Most selective colleges ask for these, in some quantity. Those must be good to go, right? Oh wait... there are meddling counselors out there who take over the writing process, interjecting their own words and beliefs, along with improvement of word choice, grammar, etc. and yet there are other students who have no access to such assistance or students who are second-language learners. Hmmm...I guess essays are out too.

How about extracurricular activities? Many schools still consider these outside-of-class ventures and they are an important part of the discovery process for kids and allow them to express themselves in areas where they are most interested in participating. These HAVE TO be fair and equitable, right? Hmm... what about those families that have access to summer programs (that frequently cost thousands of dollars) that are deeply enriching, allowing for research opportunities, internship opportunities, and the like? Many lower-income families don't have access to these options, let alone the basic transportation to get to many that exist in their local communities...if they even know those opportunities exist. So, I guess we have to dump extracurricular activities too. Bummer.

OK. We are getting kind of deep in the weeds here...there has to be SOMETHING we can still use, right? How about letters of recommendation? Hey, we may be on to something. Everyone has teachers, and teachers generally write letters of recommendation for their deserving students. Even though some teachers receive training on what those letters are supposed to discuss, while others just "wing it", or copy/paste letters because they have so many they need to write, I think we still have a winner! Oh wait, schools like the University of California don't accept letters of recommendation as part of the regular admission dossier.

I guess we should just run the UC like it's a lottery system. We draw a circle in chalk outside of the beautiful building in front of us... take all of the applications that arrive on time and with proper eligibility standards met, up to the top of Royce Hall at UCLA and throw them off the roof. Whichever applications land in the big chalk circle many floors below get admitted! Sounds fair and equitable, right?

I also think there is a difference between the standards held by a public university (that is funded, in part, through taxpayer dollars), and a private college or university, which is not.Is there a double standard?Maybe.Should there be?I suppose that is up to all of us to think about.