<p>This will help even the playing field, especially within NESCAC, most of which went test-optional decades ago. Wesleyan has long been known for its efforts to attract a diverse SES population to its campus and as the announcement makes clear, this will give the admissions office the flexibility it needs to make holistic decisions without worrying about getting killed in the USNews rankings.</p>
<p>No, this will allow them to goose their testing profile for the rankings by removing low scorers from the calculations made to determine median ranges (high scorers will continue to submit scores).</p>
<p>This will benefit some students but let’s not give too much credit fo the school. Has such a move led to a noticeable change in student body makeup at other schools? It does not seem to be the case.</p>
Actually, it does seem to be the case. Bowdoin and Middlebury were arguably the whitest colleges in NESCAC when they each went test-optional. In each of their cases, they’ve been able to increase their non-white population percentage by double-digits while simultaneously climbing in the USNews rankings. Seems like a no-brainer to me.</p>
<p>Adopting a test-optional policy gives a college greater wiggle-room to admit athletes, disadvantaged applicants, minority students, legacies, VIP’s etc. A white kid from the Northeast (or from any geographic region where the college is already heavily represented) is well advised to submit test scores despite the test-optional policy unless the student has other strengths that distinguish him or her from competitor candidates or unless this student has sub-par scores that would be more damaging than applying without them. </p>
<p>But, although I don’t think that a test-optional policy is the silver bullet for the typical teenager that some claim it is, I’m still happy whenever a see a new name on the FairTest roster, especially when the college is as prominent as Wesleyan is. I think that Wesleyan’s changed status–even if done by the institution for largely self-serving purposes–still sends a message to high school students that says, “These tests aren’t such a huge deal. Try not to stress over them.” </p>
<p>Although I have no evidence to back up anyone doing this, there are also ways to discover test scores without having the kids officially submit them - you simply have to buy the mailing lists of all the kids above a certain score. Simply adjust the score every time, and you know what the kids scored with a little database work. Not saying anyone does this, but it’s theoretically possible. Ever notice how your friends get unsolicited mailings from certain schools, but you don’t? Test scores are the reason why.</p>
<p>It’s also gotten considerably harder to get into Bowdoin and Middlebury in recent years despite the test-optional policy. Very few kids get in that wouldn’t have gotten in anyway. Increasing minority enrollment is simply a matter of consciously doing that, being test-optional has little to do with it.</p>
<p>Just to clarify … Middlebury is test-FLEXIBLE not test-OPTIONAL. Here’s their policy:</p>
<p>Candidates must submit standardized tests and may select from a menu of three different test options. The requirement may be met by submitting either the ACT; or the SAT I; or three SAT II exams in different areas of study.</p>
<p>…as Wesleyan’s track record over the past half-century amply proves. The only thing that will be different going forward is Wesleyan will be able to compete on an even playing field with the rest of NESCAC, as Sally states, with regard to athletic recruits, artists and musicians, as well as the disadvantaged.</p>
<p>The NESCAC is made up of 11 schools. As far as I know, the majority still have a standardized test requirement for first year applicants. This includes Middlebury, Hamilton, Colby, Williams, Amherst, Tufts and Trinity.</p>
<p>Colby is test-flexible, like Middlebury. Hamilton allows you to combine different sections of different tests, you can pick them yourself or throw everything over the wall and let them decide what impresses them most. Williams and Amherst both require SAT IIs in addition to the ACT/SAT.</p>
<p>Trinity is not test optional, according to the information currently on their web site:</p>
<p>Standardized Testing Requirements
All applicants must submit at least one of the following options:
any two SAT II Subject Tests
the SAT I Reasoning Test
the ACT (writing is recommended)</p>
<p>Test optional (no standardized testing required):
Bates
Bowdoin
Conn. College
Wesleyan (as of next year’s admissions cycle)</p>
<p>Test flexible (can substitute alternative testing, often SATIIs, AP’s or a combination)
Colby
Hamilton
Middlebury
Trinity</p>
<p>Standardized testing required (SAT reasoning or ACT with writing). Amherst and Tufts require two subject tests if an applicant submits the SAT, Williams requires two subject tests with both the SAT and ACT:
Amherst
Tufts
Williams</p>
<p>RE: Trinity. 48% of students submitted SAT scores & 30% submitted ACT scores last year, so I am guessing the balance elected to submit two subject test scores.</p>
<p>Test flexible = standardized testing required. It just means that the testing requirement can be satisfied in ways other than taking the ACT or regular SAT. I don’t think anyone would argue that SAT subject tests and AP tests are not standardized tests.</p>
<p>^^
Possibly, but then again Trinity University in San Antonio is not part of the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Also, it appears from the college website that Trinity University is not test optional.</p>
<p>Trinity U. in DC and Trinity Baptist College in FL are test optional. Trinity U. in Texas requires the SAT or ACT. Trinity College in CT is test flexible, which as MiddKid86 rightfully pointed out means that students have a wider choice of standardized testing than just the SATI or ACT. Confusing, isn’t it?!</p>
<p>What I find especially confusing is that some colleges that require SAT Subject Tests will waive the Subject Test requirement for applicants who have submitted an ACT score, but others still demand the two Subject Tests, even for ACT-takers. Last fall I compiled a list of which Ivy institutions did which for a student who lives in Europe and who was completely unfamiliar with U.S. testing policies. As I typed, I recall thinking, “This is insane!” and that was exactly the student’s reaction when he wrote back to me!</p>