Posts

Protected: What’s going on with Test Optional admissions?

This article is going to be the first in a series that I'm referring to as "College Admissions Shenanigans." That alone should give you and idea about what I think is going on with "test optional" admissions policies. It's a controversial topic…
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What they don’t say about test scores

The SAT and ACT are in the news a lot these days. Maybe that's just my world because of this thing I do. Harvard recently announced that it would not require test scores through at least the class of 2026 and the University of California system…

How can parents help students with the SAT or ACT?

This week I was talking with a parent whose student has plateaued at a certain threshold on the SAT and ACT. It happens from time to time and can be frustrating for everyone - the student most of all. It can be for any number of reasons, many…

Some scary events in college admissions

Colleges are automatically placing students who applied without test scores in the developmental classes, classes for which they will not get any credit but will pay full price.
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What you need to know about National Merit awards

National Merit. School counselors talk about it. School districts publicize it. However, many parents and students aren't really sure what it is beyond some sort of academic honor that smart kids pursue. Check out this post for ideas about…
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“Test Optional” wasn’t intended to help students

One of the many impacts of COVID19 has meant a drastic change admissions policies related to the SAT and ACT. Colleges and universities have sold it to applicants as "test optional", and students and parents have taken that to mean that they…
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Here’s the biggest problem with at-home tests

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5 things high school Juniors should do right now

The June SAT has been cancelled, as were the March and May tests before it and the April ACT as well. At the time of writing this, ACT is adamant that they will be offering tests in June and July, even adding test dates to both months to accommodate…
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Taking it up a notch

Get free live instruction for the SAT and ACT. Take advantage of the next few weeks to get a head start on the June tests.
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What you should know about Test Optional Policies

The typical press release from colleges who make the decision involves statements about how they recognize that students are more than a test score. That the college is committed to taking a look at the whole student. Those platitudes are noble, and in cases like the UChicago or Wake Forest or Bates,  they seem sincere. I'm not entirely convinced that the motives behind some of the recent announcements from Northern Illinois and Lourdes are quite as high-minded.