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
Why should you still take the SAT/ACT?
If you are looking to apply to college soon, you may be debating on whether or not you will take the SAT, especially since most of the universities you want to apply to may be test optional or test blind. So, what are the benefits of taking the SAT or ACT even if your school does not require a test score? Many colleges, including those that are test optional or test blind, will use your provided standardized testing scores to award merit scholarships for incoming students. These scholarships can range from $1,000 to a… Continue Reading
Best Adapted Screenplay
If you love movies and entertainment, then you probably tuned into the Academy Awards . And while you were probably gawking at Anne Hathaway’s constant costume changes and wondering why Nicole Kidman never ages, you may not have noticed that these Hollywood pros can actually help you get motivated too for Critical Reading. Hollywood employs some of the best critical readers around- screen writers, directors, and actors. Directors have to understand the nuances in the passages of a screenplay and make it a vision. Actors need to be able to read in-depth into their characters… Continue Reading
Summer Sessions
Say goodbye to the cold chill that was characteristic of February and say hello to the sunny skies of April. It is also time for high school students to decide what they want to do this summer. Some will spend their time outdoors on family vacations. Others may take up coveted jobs or internships. Then there are those who wish to continue learning throughout the year and keep their brains sharp for the coming school year. Summer courses have multiple benefits. They allow you to take classes for fun, so you gain new and exciting… Continue Reading