Submitted by: James Moody
Several months ago, the Daily Bruin published an editorial supporting the current UC Board of Regents proposal to eliminate the SAT II subject tests and lower the admission standards for the University of California system (“UC should approve new admissions plan,” July 21). This proposal is now coming up for a vote Feb. 3-5 in San Francisco, and it is hard to believe that the regents are actually considering tarnishing our school’s stellar reputation of excellence in this way.
As a high school student I was focused in my studies and activities and followed all requirements in order to be accepted into UCLA. Now as a graduate (class of 2007), it is important that all of us with ties to UCLA protect the standards of our university and tell the UC Regents that sometimes being challenged is a good thing.
The Board of Regents has indicated they are doing this because they see the SAT II as a barrier to admissions. This holistic approach to admissions the regents are seeking is coming at the expense of the quality of our student body.
Rather than eliminating admissions criteria, perhaps resources would be better spent educating prospective students about the requirements for UC schools.
The real issue here is whether we want to lower the standards and make it easier to get in to UC schools.
According to recent figures, there will be more applicants to the UC system in 2009 than ever before. Clearly, there is no shortage of qualified applicants. College admissions are supposed to be hard, and I am proud that I was accepted, but I do not feel sorry for those who cannot figure out what tests to take or do not show enough aptitude on the tests. There are plenty of alternatives for these individuals. The reputation of the UC system is built on a consistent record of excellence; taking anyone other than students with a proven record of scholastic achievement compromises that reputation.
Finally, this affects us all because it makes our diplomas less valuable. Currently, only the top universities in the nation require the SAT II; this should be looked at as a mark of prestige, not a stain to have removed. Doing away with the test and making the UC schools’ admission requirements closer to the California State University system does not help any of us.
If you are willing to sacrifice UCLA’s reputation, that is one thing, but doing so at taxpayers’ and students’ expenses is quite another. This proposal is going to undoubtedly cost millions of dollars. There will be more students who are eligible and each one will require more attention to be paid to them because we are eliminating a core admissions criteria.
There are numerous reasons why we should all be opposed to this proposal. It will hurt the reputation of our school, it will cost money, and as critical thinkers we should tell the Board of Regents that their logic is backward. Go to saveucstandards.com for more information and to have your voice heard.
Moody graduated from UCLA in 2007 with a degree in marine biology.