@homerdog, I think Hamilton’s acceptance score distribution could be extrapolated for many other highly selective schools - while above 1500 has a 50% acceptance rate, it still means half were denied so no assurances.
Re #78, In Hamilton’s case, the school simply provides the information in an accessible form. This includes the rate, not incidentally, for those who submitted applications under their text flexible policy. The impression formed is not theirs to fully control.
It’s just one piece of the puzzle.
@circuitrider, the Test Flexible policy at Hamilton is very prescriptive -
https://www.hamilton.edu/admission/apply/requirements
Three individual exams of your choice, selected from SAT sections, SAT subject tests, ACT writing, AP scores or IB final exams*. One must be a verbal or writing/essay test, one must be a quantitative test, and the third is your choice. The following tests satisfy Hamilton’s quantitative and verbal/writing requirements:
Acceptable Quantitative Tests: SAT Math; SAT Subject Tests in Math, Chemistry, or Physics; AP Computer Science A, Chemistry, Economics, Math, Physics, or Statistics; IB final exam results for Chemistry, Computing Studies, Economics, Math, Physics, or Physical and Chemical Systems*
Acceptable Verbal/Writing Tests: Old SAT Critical Reading; Old SAT Writing; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; ACT Writing; SAT Subject Test in Literature; AP English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition; official IB final exam results for Language (A or B English); TOEFL or IELTS (for International students ONLY)
So, wait. One can be admitted to Hamilton solely on the basis of three AP exams?
@circuitrider, Yes, but not just any AP tests, and like all standardized tests the score matters…
Must be 1 of the following - AP Computer Science A, Chemistry, Economics, Math, Physics, or Statistics, a 2nd of the following - AP English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition, and a 3rd from either of these groups.
Test Flexible differs from Test Optional - I think Test Optional is more typical at similarly highly selective LAC’s. Here’s Wesleyan’s Test Optional policy as its well written - http://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/apply/testing.html
A distinction without difference, if ever there was one.
When compared through available information, the distinction between test-optional and text-flexible schools can be huge with respect to the percentage of applicants who submit traditional standardized scoring.
^According to Hamilton’s CDS about 20% of last year’s admitted students were non-submitters.
@circuitrider, 12.5% of Admitted Students / 16.8% of Enrolled Students submitted under the Test Flexible format - none are non-submitters. You’ll note that there is no double counting which makes it easier to confirm the score distribution.
Here’s the score distribution for the admitted Class of 2021 - https://www.hamilton.edu/admission/apply/standardized-testing-distribution-of-scores
Delete.
The Hamilton numbers don’t quite add up.
Overall Applicants - 5678
SAT (New) - 2041
SAT (Old) - 391
ACT - 2120
3 Tests - 709
2041+391+2120+709= 5261
It looks like everyone’s confused!
@Chembiodad wrote:
It depends on how you parce the word, “submitter”. Under your definition, it would include folks who neither submitted an ACT nor SAT test, but who did submit what could possibly be 3 AP tests. Under the rules of the CDS those who submitted only AP tests would be considered non-submitters.
@circuitrider, the CDS has no rules, nor any arbiters - it is all self-policed.
This thread isn’t intended to be about Hamilton or Bates or Wesleyan or any other specific school - moving on as I am certain that we have lost the OP.
^Hey, I wasn’t the one who made the original assertion that there was a HUGE distinction between Test-Flexible and Test-Optional submission results.
@Sue22 : Nice adherence to the math!
I never made that distinction - others took it and ran with it from there…
Read my posting #85 “Test Flexible differs from Test Optional - I think Test Optional is more typical at similarly highly selective LAC’s”
^It’s a distinction without a difference.
@homerdog You have to be careful about what you read into the ranges. The impression may be that the grades and test scores do not matter, but that isn’t true in many cases. For example, I am sure that Penn test scores show a much lower correlation to admission than GPA and rigor. If you are only seeing test scores, the results might look a lot more random than they are. Students do need something more, but they have a clear lean toward GPA over test scores.
@circuitrider, wow - really, a repeat of posting #86? Not working through this circular one again…