Is the University of Texas using a flawed admission process?

<p>With recent studies aggregating statistics from the few years of the "new" SAT researchers are finding some very interesting information. The introduction of the writing section to the SAT was considered by most, experimental and largely less important than the other two SAT sections. Now the facts, inexplicable, state that the writing section is the most important predictive mechanism for future college success, beyond even the math and critical reading sections. Is the University of Texas' failure to even consider the writing section in their admission process flawed? The fundamental basis of writing in college does seem to blanket many fields of study, it also serves as the conduit, in most college classes, from a students intellect to achieving the fluid expression of their knowledge... or lack there of.</p>

<p>“Writing as a college-level skill is a crucial asset for student success, an important message reinforced by colleges that require admissions tests with a writing section,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “Colleges not requiring an admissions test with writing are overlooking one of the best predictors of college success to which they have access. Writing should not be optional.”</p>

<p>For the rest of the article check out:
SAT®</a> Studies Show Test’s Strength in Predicting College Success</p>

<p>Well UT is now introducing writing scores into the formulae for competitive colleges as well as non-top ten admission.</p>

<p>Is the system flawed? No, because UT is currently using the only system which is legal under state law. Therefore it's hard to call it flawed. Is it non-traditional? Absolutely. That doesn't mean the traditional system is any better or any less flawed to be prejudiced toward upper-middle class suburban Caucasican children.</p>

<p>Depends on your major, the papers in Electrical Engineering is a joke. I did OK on the writing section, but it really depends on your major.</p>

<p>"Well UT is now introducing writing scores into the formulae for competitive colleges as well as non-top ten admission."</p>

<p>I know for a fact that the University of Texas did not use the writing component of the SAT in the admission process for the class of 2012 who applied this year. Now I understand that legally the University of Texas' admissions process is largely affected by the Top 10% law however, I was not referencing this aspect of their admission. I was however, referencing the fact that the University as of the most recent admission process does not incorporate the Writing section of the SAT in their admission process. Now if you have found a source that shows that the University is incorporating the writing section into their admission process I would be interested in seeing it. Writing is one of the most important skills in college and quite honestly colleges need to do more to use increase the impact writing skills have in their admission decisions. On a final note there are legal processes, laws, and ideas that are flawed, not everything that is legal is right and not everything that is illegal is wrong. It really boils down to semantics. If a law is flawed that effects the admission process of a University is the admission process flawed? I think so... but thats not even why I am questioning the admissions process.</p>

<p>And I didn't actually read the article at first, but after heading over to the link, does anyone else think the fact that collegeboard releasing this may make this a little bit sketch?</p>

<p>Show me a unbiased source for this, and maybe I will believe it more, but this is the equivalent of a tobacco company publishing articles that cigarettes aren't harmful.</p>