Recently, several schools have decided to require standardized tests in their admissions process, Yale becoming one of them today. Since USC is still test-optional, we asked students whether or not they decided to submit their scores.
Among the USC students that were interviewed, there was roughly an even split of people who decided to include their SAT and ACT scores versus those who did not.
Students who chose not to submit their tests did so because they believed their scores were not an accurate reflection of their academic achievements.
Arianna Lopez, a freshman American Studies major, said that she ultimately decided not to submit her scores when applying to USC.
Arianna Lopez: I just didn’t really love my test scores. They weren’t bad, but I didn’t think that I should have submitted them. I thought my grades spoke for themselves.
Yale News wrote in their announcement that even when they were test optional, choosing not to submit scores would be disadvantageous to the applicant. On the other hand, USC has written in their test optional FAQ that not submitting scores would not affect their chances of admission.
Whether test optional or not, Yale wants to see the standardized test scores of all of their applicants, claiming that it is a reflection of a student’s academic preparedness for the university.
Mia Moore, a sophomore studying human biology, would disagree with this statement.
Mia Moore: I just feel that it doesn’t, it’s not a good well rounded, you know, test to let someone know, if they’re going to be successful for college. And I’m sure there’s like people who score like 1500 1600 and are probably struggling right now. So, I don’t think it’s a good representation of how well you will do in school. And I don’t know, I don’t think it should be used as a definite say, of your success in a way in college.
One concern brought about by universities across the nation is the access to tutoring for these tests that people may or may not have. Lucy Westlake, a sophomore studying public policy, speaks about the financial disparities amongst test scores.
Lucy Westlake: I definitely was more confident and sought improved score after tutoring and obviously, people that that have more money are able to tutor to like get tutoring and people that don’t might not have that luxury.
Addressing this point, Yale states that they factor in all components of a student when considering their application. This is why submitting your score may be beneficial, even if it is below the average.
Yale’s decision to bring back mandatory testing may cause other universities to follow suite. For now, USC is remaining test optional, and it seems that students would like to keep it that way.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Katie Havens.