Sarah Lawrence to Use Standardized Test Scores in 2012/2013 Admissions

<p>"Beginning with the Fall 2013 application cycle, we will accept SAT and ACT test results from applicants who choose to submit them. The submission of standardized tests is optional. Along with your transcripts, test scores may provide additional evidence of your academic achievements and potential. However, Sarah Lawrence is committed to a holistic review process, and we know that standardized testing may not accurately reflect the potential and contributions of all students. You will not be at a disadvantage should you choose not to submit your scores"</p>

<p>I wish they had accepted them this year.</p>

<p>Eww, seriously? I thought they believed that standardized test scores weren’t beneficial… that mentality is one of the main reasons I liked SLC so much and I thought it was great that they went a step further than SAT-optional schools by flat-out disregarding them. Next thing you know SLC will be having multiple choice tests and majors and putting emphasis on letter grades, ugh.</p>

<p>Well, we are only doing this as a way to get back into e ranking systems honestly. We still don’t require the, as in you don’t have to send the, if you don’t want to.</p>

<p>As an alum, I too am terribly disappointed to learn that SLC is accepting them again. I went to a reunion a few years ago and pumped my fist and applauded when the President said to the group, “We are the first school to say that we not only don’t require them, we don’t WANT them!” THAT is the SLC I love.</p>

<p>I think it’s a good thing SLC went test-optional. SAT is not the best form of a standardized test for everyone, but many find it useful to demonstrate improvement. I personally can attest to the fact that my SAT scores reflect my varying levels of critical reading skills in junior year and senior year. Though I did not submit my scores because I believed my transcript told a better story, my scores do correlate with that story. It may not for others, but it does for some. If an applicant feels SAT scores can provide contextual information, that should be respected and considered in an application.</p>

<p>Also, I really don’t understand why SLC needs to stay away from rankings. Yes, rankings provide no useful measure to determine where one should go, but they do show the selectivity of a college, amongst other things. This could be useful for a student to find colleges within their reach quickly (of course further research is key) and can be very helpful for international students especially, who are unable to visit and often have to resort to googling “best colleges” to find colleges. Sarah Lawrence is a fantastic school with an educational structure few colleges have, and this can totally go unnoticed by students without knowledge of what SLC is.</p>

<p>It appears no one is posting anything on SL’s forum, but my daughter is applying this month, so I thought I’d put in my 2 cents about standardized test scores. DD elected to submit her ACT scores because they enhance her candidacy with another perspective on her strong analytical and writing skills. Some students do not test well; she is fortunate in that she does. So, along with her strong AP test results, SL has one more lens through which to view her abilities. I’m glad it’s optional and not unacceptable to send them.</p>