There are a lot of tests required of college applicants in California. Besides whatever exams high school students across the state have to endure during school hours, UC applicants are required to take either the SAT or the ACT, as well as two SAT subject tests.
On Wednesday, at the first UC Board of Regents meeting under new UC President Mark Yudof, a new proposal was announced that if passed in the next few months, would eliminate the SAT subject tests as an admissions requirement. This measure would affect those hoping to enroll at a UC institution in fall 2012 and after.
This is a smart move from many angles since the SAT subject tests examine students on the same material as AP exams of the same subject and because, similar to the original SAT itself, it is questionable as to how well SAT subject tests predict a student’s likely future performance in college.
Now that the SAT has been revised to include what was formerly the SAT II writing exam, UC hopefuls would only have to take one test, either the SAT or the ACT, to be eligible to apply to one of the university’s campuses, including UCLA.
Last month, a move gave college applicants across the country the power to choose which test scores are sent to admissions officers, giving an unfair advantage to applicants wealthy enough to afford taking the test multiple times in hopes of a higher score.
This potential move from the UC Regents could help to even the playing field, since students would only have to pay for one exam, rather than three or four.
Another less favorable change that would result from this proposal would be a reduction in the percentage of California high school students offered guaranteed admission to the UC.
California is privileged to be able to allow guaranteed admission to any of its UC campuses and to provide education through the 23 California State University campuses as well.
However, part of the proposal calls to reduce guaranteed admission to the top 9 percent of California high school students rather than the current top 12.5 percent.
This unfortunate step is a loss for the UC system. This move is likely the result of many factors, chief of which is the dwindling financial support the UC receives from the state.
Since lawmakers have repeatedly failed to prioritize higher education in the California budget, our top-tiered public schools can no longer afford to enroll as many students, hire more faculty or expand services for students. This is simply a fact that California taxpayers and legislators are going to have to deal with unless they decide to change their policies.
The other notable change from this proposal would be a new category of applicants called “Entitled to Review.”
This category would be for students with slightly lower grades ““ a GPA of at least 2.8 instead of 3.0 ““ and who are slightly behind in finishing the 15 classes required before entering a UC.
These students would be examined one more time by an admissions officer but would not necessarily be guaranteed admission to any UC.
While the decrease in students guaranteed admission to a UC campus is unfortunate, dropping SAT subject tests such as U.S. history, literature and chemistry is a move in the right direction for the UC and will save the time of applicants and admissions officers alike.