Bowdoin Says No Need for SAT While Buying College Board Scores

Test Preparation
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<p>"Colleges from Bowdoin in Maine to Pitzer in California dropped the SAT entrance exam as a requirement, saying it [the SAT] favors the affluent, penalizes minorities and doesn’t predict academic success. What they don’t advertise is they find future students by buying names of kids who do well on the test ...</p>

<p>... Students are being duped by some schools into thinking that test scores don’t matter, when they matter a great deal for marketing outreach and prestige, said Leon Botstein, president of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, which neither requires the tests nor buys names. Test-optional colleges that buy names of high-scoring students are hypocritical, he said ..."</p>

<p>Looks like quite a few test-optional schools are doing this.</p>

<p>Bowdoin</a> Says No Need for SAT While Buying College Board Scores - Bloomberg</p>

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<p>I don’t find this hypocritical and don’t have a problem with it.</p>

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<p>Interesting. Basically, you don’t have to take the test, but we will market kids that take the test and do well. I guess I am not sure if they then discriminate against those students that choose not to take the test. My biggest issue with college board continues to be the need to take SAT/ Subject tests/ AND AP exams. I would think that AP exams would trump the need for SAT and subject tests if a student had taken them, and if they cover math/english in particular. Maybe math/ and any other subject that is writing intense.</p>

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<p>To be fair, the SAT really isn’t a benchmark for academic talent or future success. The majority of the kids that have done well have gone through some prep course-- a luxury that many poorer students can’t afford. </p>

<p>That being said, I see nothing wrong in them encouraging students to take tests like this. And having taken only the PSAT, I’ve already been spammed by numerous colleges, and as you know, the PSAT is not even sent to universities. I think they want you to take these tests for the sole purpose of contacting you and possibly attracting you to the school. I find the emails annoying, but I don’t see much wrong in what they’re doing.</p>

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<p>I don’t think this is hypocritical at all. Bowdoin wants to attract the best students. Many, but not all, of the best students do well on standardized tests. Bowdoin recognizes that the SAT is extremely flawed in that you can study for it. Many smart students are at various disadvantages that cause them to score lower. Simply having a tutor or test prep can raise a score 300 points. It is difficult to get into Bowdoin whether you send your scores in or not. Hopefully, in years to come, the SAT will be eliminated and a better measure for college admissions will be found.</p>

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<p>If a student marks “yes” on their PSAT or SAT allowing schools access to their scores, then I agree with those who say its fine for schools to purchase those scores. If some schools later say sending scores isnt necessary, thats fine. Nothing wrong with trying to recruit talent, IMO.</p>

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<p>As we’re on the topic of optional SAT scores, I would like to know if anyone could clarify the meaning of SAT II scores in 3 different subject areas.</p>

<p>I’m an international applying to middlebury this fall, which is part of the sat optional movement. Would Math 2, Biology and Mandarin suffice as 3 subject tests in 3 different areas? Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>Yes.</p>

<p>I don’t see anything wrong with this if it’s only used for recruiting purposes. However, if these colleges reference this list while making admission decisions (e.g. is student X on the list of kids who scored 2000+), then I feel that crosses the line.</p>