TGIF: Slaps for All! – Common Sense
’MIT brings back the SAT: Most prestigious universities have scrapped SAT requirements, some before Covid but most under the cover of Covid chaos. Proponents say this is for equity, since scores can be improved by expensive test prep classes though it was never clear how this group envisioned essays and extracurriculars as being somehow immune to wealth s influence. Lacrosse captain and volunteer at orphanage in Bali and long letter of recommendation from high school teacher who had five students per class are totally equitable ways to measure a teenager, of course.
This week, MIT announced it is bringing the SAT back. Here s what they say: Our research shows standardized tests help us better assess the academic preparedness of all applicants, and also help us identify socioeconomically disadvantaged students who lack access to advanced coursework or other enrichment opportunities that would otherwise demonstrate their readiness for MIT. Let s see if other schools follow suit.
(My working hypothesis: The reason prestigious schools dropped the SAT is because having those scores on the record makes it harder to discriminate against Asian applicants and opens them up to more lawsuits.)
MIT is absolutely right to do this. Good for them.