Athena Hallet
Harvard University stands as one of the most prestigious colleges on the planet. Exerting a profound influence on many other Ivy League and even public colleges around the country and world. Harvard has made another big change that could be very influential. While the university only stopped requiring SAT or ACT scores a few years ago, they will be compulsory once again as of this year.
The Debate
The SATs and ACTs, are two forms of standardized testing, have been long regarded as indicators to high school general proficiency. For a long time universities and colleges used these scores as a way to assess whether the students had the ability to excel at their institution.
However, most recently, experts have started to argue that these scores do not give a substantial indication of academic success.
Abandoned Standardized Tests
Armed with fresh insight, a lot of universities all over the world made the choice to abandon the standardized test. They explained that the objective was to find unique students that had creative, problem-solving skills, and strong inter relational capabilities, not just ones that were capable of taking a test.
Prospective students were asked to answer more essay type questions about their personalities, experiences, and desires for the future.
Students From All Backgrounds
Of course, they hoped that this new approach would make sure that students that were actually excited and dedicated to their college experience would be accepted above those who were indifferent. But there was another benefit, too.
The idea was that by letting go of these expensive and often exclusive tests, students from all backgrounds would finally have a chance to be accepted at top-notch schools.
Grades Were Still a Factor
It is important to mention that universities didn’t just accept or deny students based on their personalities and essay responses; they also took into consideration their grades in high school.
However, recent findings have cast doubt on the reliability of high school grades as a gauge for aptitude or work ethic. Actually, according to a study published by Opportunity Insights, standardized tests are a far more effective way to determine whether a student has what it takes to excel in college.
Decrease In Harvard Applications
Harvard recorded only 54,008 applications for its current admission cycle, this is a significant drop from the 56,937 last year.
While a 5% decrease doesn’t seem that significant, the school is reporting fewer and fewer applications from the years prior.
Under Fire
What adds an intriguing layer about Harvard’s What’s especially interesting about Harvard’s announcement that it’s returning to the more traditional way of screening applicants by assessing their test scores is that it follows the schools noteworthy non-traditional policies.
Harvard and the University of California had their day in the Supreme Court for their decisions to factor in the admissions process in June 2022,, a practice known as Affirmative Action. The Supreme Court made a ruling that was against the schools request, citing that they no longer were allowed to choose students to increase diversity.
Recent Dramas
Harvard’s commitment to Affirmative Action has earned it a place in the headlines, as many conservative Americans are concerned that the institution was leaning too far to the left. But it doesn’t end there.
After the attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7th, many at Harvard and around the world argued that Claudine Gay, the university’s first Black president, wasn’t doing enough to mitigate antisemitism on campus. She was forced to resign only two months after this.
Most Prestigious Schools In The World
Despite everything that Harvard has faced, even with the decrease in applicants, Harvard remains one of the top, exclusive, and sought after universities in the world.
Thousands of country’s leaders, doctors, lawyers, and influential members of the general public attended Harvard University, and many of its current students are on a trajectory to do the same.
Other Ivy League Schools
As a result, Harvard remains a formidable school, and many experts believe that other universities will follow its example and reinstate standardized testing this year.
However, several schools, including Brown Yale, Dartmouth, Georgetown, and M.I.T., actually reversed their standardized test policy before Harvard. So, some might argue that Harvard is the one that is following.
Course of Action for America’s Youth
The ongoing debate about whether standardized tests are the best way to analyze a student’s academic potential and success in life will undoubtedly continue. But many think this conversation is more about what the best course of action is for America’s youth.
If young people have the dream to go to a university like Harvard, then they should have the opportunity to do so.
Remain Test Optional
While many universities all over the country grapple with finding the best solutions for this complex matter, many are taking the middle road and are making standardized test scores optional.
The University of Michigan, Vanderbilt, and the University of Wisconsin are just a few of the 1,850 who don’t believe test scores should be required—at least for now.
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