The SAT May Be Optional, But It’s Still Important for Many Top Schools
written by Geoff Barto Many schools have relaxed or reduced requirements for standardized tests to apply to college. But leading colleges still require them or consider them an important factor in admissions, and for good reason. It’s easy to look at transcripts, AP credits and extracurricular activities for students from top-tier high schools and identify their potential for success. But according to Dean of Yale Admissions, Jeremiah Quinlan, “A policy that results in increased emphasis on these elements, we found, has the effect of advantaging the advantaged.” That’s why Yale is now requiring standardized test… Continue Reading
The SAT Makes College Admissions Fairer
By Geoffrey Barto During the pandemic, many universities stopped using the SAT for admissions or made it optional. At the time, a lot of people believed this would make admissions more equitable. However, Dartmouth, one of the first universities to reinstate the SAT, found just the opposite. Dartmouth did an in-depth study on the effects of optional standardized tests. They determined that the SAT and ACT scores were a strong predictor for academic success at Dartmouth, indicated by a linear relationship with first-year GPA. More importantly, their study indicated that this outcome was the same… Continue Reading
Throughout society and in life…(Part 2)
Last time we left off, you hopefully gained a good understanding of being concise and logical when writing your essay. Now, you must focus on the examples that you will specifically use in that essay. A good place to focus your attention first is the literary example. The literary example should always be strong because it is super specific: you are choosing a specific book and referencing certain events in the book. This sort of detailed evidence should boost your essay, but you must make sure the book is relevant to the prompt. Things to… Continue Reading
Gearing up for Junior Year
Junior Year is notorious for being the most difficult year in your high school journey. In reality, junior year is not that bad. Sure, you may be taking multiple APs, the SATs are right around the corner, and your parents and teachers are constantly stressing the importance of maintaining your GPA. But, with a couple of tips, you can endure the various challenges that this year poses. Take a vacation before junior year. Being such dedicated, hardworking students, chances are you have spent your summer doing something academic. To avoid school fatigue (which at… Continue Reading
The Night Before
Sleep is a tricky thing. It’s never consistent. Sometimes it evades us, other times it’s right there when we need it, or it may suddenly come out of left field and hit you without warning. Some people want to sleep but don’t have time, others can sleep but not for long, and some people sleep all the time. However, many people have experienced difficulties falling asleep the day before something important. This may be you on the night of March 11th. March 12th is the day all of your hours of preparation will come into… Continue Reading