All true Marvin. However, surely those same teens should have realized that colleges wouldn’t be accepting the old SAT indefinitely. The new format was announced by the time they took the old SAT.
So right now we have NW, Duke and VT as “confirmed” schools? Leaves plenty of other schools to apply to if you don’t like their policy.
My sophomore D (class of 2018) took the old SAT fall of Freshmen year and scored >2300. At that time, there were no colleges that said that they were not accepting the old SAT for class of 2018. It is unfortunate that colleges such as Northwestern and VT are now saying they won’t accept old SAT. They should have developed their policy earlier so as not to penalize early test takers. My D has little appetite to take the new SAT but might do so if she qualifies for National Merit on PSAT next October. She probably could score quite well on the new SAT but like Marvin said, she has better things to do with her time.
I don’t think VT is really part of the conversation as its score ranges suggest that students who put up 2300+ as 10th graders aren’t likely to apply with meaningful frequency.
Northwestern and Duke, though, are highly desirable for the achiever set, and it’s pretty obvious to me that they’re both shooting themselves in the toe if not the foot by making the best and brightest jump through one more pointless hoop. I personally know at least a dozen extremely bright and promising kids who probably won’t bother applying to any schools that will make them take the new exam.
I wonder if someone emailed admissions and asked about exception if they are flexible?
Here’s an example:
CMU’s website now says, “Carnegie Mellon would prefer that applicants take these required tests in their junior or senior year. Test results from the junior and senior year are the best indicators of a student’s current ability and potential for immediate success at Carnegie Mellon.” It used to say something stronger specifically about subject tests from junior and senior year being strongly recommended/required. I emailed them to ask if they would accept two 800s in subject tests from freshman year, or if they would ask a student to retake those (which would make no sense). They emailed back to say that they agreed it would be silly to retake 800s in subject tests, and they were fine with freshman scores.
But, that example doesn’t include the test changing. So, I don’t know how flexible colleges will be with high scores on the old SAT.
I agree that not accepting old SAT scores just 1 1/2 years after the change makes little sense. especially if a lot of them won’t announce their plans for Class of 2018 until later.
Those schools still get 1000s of apps from highly qualified applicants so they won’t miss a few kids that don’t like the policy.
lol all more of the reason that the ACT > SAT
Anyone know if CalTech will be accepting the Old SAT for the Class of 2018?
Also, to add to the convo, I’ve contacted Chris Peterson from MIT and he says that MIT will be accepting Old SAT scores for the Class of 2018. A Harvard admissions counselor that visited my area also said the same.