Standardized Tests

Dear readers,

The standardized tests are definitely out of place in the entire admissions process. The wikipedia articles on each test highlight the criticism displayed toward it, be it ACT, SAT, SAT II's, or AP's. The SAT acronym no longer stands for anything because previous meanings did not hold true. The test was not a good measure of Scholastic Aptitude nor was it a great Scholastic Assessment. Honestly, it doesn't test reasoning either. Regardless, I'll cover all the material in a little bit, but this bears mentioning first.

These tests are extremely important to colleges for one reason. They standardize the applicant pool on one numerical scale. This is unfortunate because the tests, which are supposed to predict freshman grades in college, do not perform up to par on this basis. High school grades extrapolate this factor much better. However, given different grade scales, grade inflation, and difference in curriculum in secondary schools nationally (and internationally), it's absolutely necessary for the colleges to have tests that allow them to compare students directly, even if on a completely arbitrary scale. These tests are very important at state schools especially, which do not have the time to read all the rec letters, all the essays, and analyze all the different curriculum and environment of each applicant. So, despite their clear disadvantages, colleges must use them.

Now, a quick overview of each test

The SAT

math: tests up through geometry with a tad of algebra II

critical reading: tests if you can read and comprehend passages and tests vocabulary (with a limited range of words)

writing: tests basic grammar knowledge and essay writing (through grammatical correctness, extent of vocabulary, and length)

The ACT

unfortunately I'm less familiar with the ACT, but to the extent of my knowledge, the math is slightly more advanced, the reading section is similar to critical reading in the SAT, the english section is similar to the grammatical section of the writing portion of the SAT, the essay is very similar, and the science portion tests very little true science and much more reading comprehension ad basic data analysis.

SAT subject tests and AP

These are the tests that actually test advanced material. The structures vary greatly between both AP's and subject tests, and greatly within the type of test as well. Generally though, the AP focuses on both multiple-choice and free response, and the SAT IIs (subject tests) focuses heavily or only on the multiple choice. Subject tests are also much shorter.

SAT vs. ACT

The ACT is more subject based than the SAT and much more straightforward when asking questions. However, it allows less time to complete question in the time allotted. The SAT is less subject based, llows greater time, but (the big one!!!) the writers of the SAT will deliberately give you duplicitous questions and attempt to deceive you. Taking the SAT isn't about having taken Calculus, Microbiology, and Essential Homer in high school. It's about making sure you are aware that the ETS writers will kill your score by giving you tricky questions, not that relate to difficult material, but that they phrase so will but down B instead of D every time because you didn't read carefully enough.

Breaking it Down

Now, I've never tried the ACT myself because I've performed sufficiently well on the SAT, but if you are starting early in the whole testing process (freshman year or early sophomore year), I strongly recommend you take at least a few diagnostic tests of each and compare scores. Then focus on the test you performed best on. Because the tests are formatted differently and test different abilities/material, you probably will consistently score better on one than another. And, because almost all, if not actually all, colleges allow submission of either test there is no heinous penalty of taking one over the other.

Once you have selected the ACT or SAT, study it and practice. Of course, time will constrain your ability to do so, but it's essential that you make time for the test. A friend of mine, now attending UC Berkeley, raised his SAT score from 1600 (of 2400) to 2200 between two tests simply by studying the test. He went from about 50th percentile to 99th. Just by studying the test.

Ok, so how to study you say? First, know your test. You should have learned plenty about it just in the diagnostic sessions already, perhaps even checked it out a bit before that. But I urge you, take a class or buy a book. Both can give keen insight into the structure of the test and how to take each section, how to handle each question, tips for saving time, tips for prioritizing. They will boost your score. However, obviously there are drawbacks to both methods. Classes will keep you on top of work with a timely schedule and will force you to se techniques, do homework, practice, etc. But, books cost $20 as opposed to $1000 or more, and as long as you are diligent they will be just as effective. Some testing services also offer online programs, but I am not quite versed in the specifics. 

Second, practice makes perfect. Many students boost their scores just by taking practice tests over and over. I suggest that you attempt to do a few sections a week. If possible, do 1 or 2 a night. Course, that's hard to accomplish, especially balanced against the rest of your life, but that much work will definitely make a huge difference. Also, try to take a full practice tests under testing conditions or take diagnostics with a testing company. Take a few of these a year, once a month if you can.

Otherwise, stay up to date with actual material on the test. Make sure you have all the math on your test covered. Pay attention to grammar section in high school english. Study vocabulary [I highly recommend you do this because most essays also test the breadth of your vocab, not just the vocab questions themselves. Also, many review books provide comprehensive lists of the vocab that is most likely to show up on any given test, making it easy to learn all the ones that are essential]. Above all, read plentifully. This will help comprehension on all sections of the test, aid vocabulary, make you a better reader, etc. etc. etc.

Finally, start early. If you start practicing in 8th grade or freshman year, you have a 3 or 4 year edge on everybody else. That'll make you a 36 or a 2400.

If you have any question regarding standardized tests, my contact should be below, and there are countless books about, forums over, and websites covering these tests. Do your research.

The first factor regarding being admitted that I'm going to cover is your grades in general. This is an extremely important factor in admissions. However, grades are only important in context. Here are some deeper things colleges will be observing within your entire transcript


GPA- There are many ways to calculate GPA, but in general an A is equivalent to a 4.0, a b is equivalent to a 3.0, and a C is equivalent to a 2.0, etc.  


rank- Your rank within your class is calculated by comparing your gpa to that of the others in your class. Some schools, especially high-profile prep schools and magnet public schools no longer rank students, but given the large body of students that apply to some selective universities from these schools, colleges can approximate your rank by comparing you to these peers.


grade trends- two students can have the same GPA, but while one has shown an academic record of Bs improving to As, the other has decreased from As to Bs. Colleges want to see straight A pluses more than anything, of course, but they also realize that students have bad months, or that they may be accustoming themselves to high school. Whatever you do, you want to either show a consistently good record or an improving record. Decreasing grades are a red flag for colleges, and may cause them to rescind admission in the second semester of senior year even if you have already been accepted. 


Curriculum- Take the hardest classes that your high school has to offer. Colleges understand if you aren't in prep school, or decided not to go to the magnet school because of gas prices. But they need to see that you've challenged yourself. Take IBs, take APs, take honors, etc. Colleges want to know that you have made the most of opportunities available to you, so TAKE THE HARDEST CLASSES YOU CAN. And if there aren't challenging classes available, see if you can take classes at a local college. Even if your grades are slightly lower than some of your peers', if you've been in all APs, and they haven't even taken one, you will be viewed much more positively than them.


Now, for my last, if lengthy point.


On my college visits, this has been by and large most asked question. "Is it a disadvantage for students to come from public schools vs. magnet schools or prep schools?" or "Do colleges take note of if you come from a magnet school where the top 50% would be in the top 10% anywhere else?"


The simple truth is that colleges look at you in context of what you have available, so it doesn't really matter.


Now, This is perhaps the most vital piece of info regarding grades there is.




Selective colleges will only accept a certain number of applicants from each high school.


Now, consider the implications of this statement. Colleges do not have a quota for acceptance, that is true and it would probably be illegal or even unconstitutional for them to do otherwise (there are supreme court cases on this). However, diversity is very important to colleges in order to enrich the educational experience and to avoid criticism on sensitive grounds. And diversity includes not only ethnic characteristics, but also experiential and geographical. Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford... they could all easily fill their incoming classes with highest ranked students in the very best schools in the nation. However, they will not because they are looking beyond the grades to make their incoming freshman class as rich with intellectual variety as possible. But this also means that you will be staunchly compared to your peers within your high school.


Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is regarded as the top high school in the nation, and has been ranked thus countless times. However, colleges simply cannot take many of the applicants because of the previous truth. So, many who had they attended and applied from other less competitive high schools, may have been accepted to the school of their dreams because they came from a less competitive environment where their grades were top-of-the-line. Instead, they were in the 2nd quarter of their class, and many are stuck going to UVA, a common fallback for TJ students, and undoubtedly a very good school. But not as good as they deserve.


Clearly this isn't relevant for the majority of my readers [ as they are already in high school, and many simply don't have the choice of attending a prep/magnet school because of the cost or the commute, or for many it's not an available option at all ], but if you are in middle school and reading this, you should choose your high school extremely carefully in context of the university you want to attend. However, your choice university should not be the be-all end-all of the matter. Realize you are spending 4 years in both high school and college. So, weigh your competitiveness within your local school, any potential magnets, and any potential private schools. If you are confident in your ability to compete well in the magnet school/strong prep school community, definitely take that into account when choosing. However, if you're not as confident about that, consider your local school. But realize that as much as strong peers can make your application process difficult, they also enrich your 4 years in high school. You learn as much from your fellow students as you do teachers.


Also, a crucial point to mention is that many magnet schools were strategically placed in minority neighborhoods to encourage integration in the 60s and 70s. In a majority of these schools, the magnet program is half or less of the entire school. Often, kids at the local school will underperform, and if the student pools are not independent, this will significantly help the rank of most magnet students.




OK, NOW Finally, I'd like to mention one last thing. More than great grades, colleges like to see that you pursue your passions. If that means you love studying, by all means do so. But do not let a slight decline in grades stop you from joining the band, or founding a community service organization, or acting in a local production. I'll talk a bit more about extracurriculars and special talents/skills soon, but this is simply meant to tell you to truly pursue your passion. For one thing, kids who just do schoolwork are boring. For the second thing, the top tier schools could each fill their incoming class many times over with the U.S.'s valedictorians. Believe me, they're in good supply. People who DO things, not so much. So, even if your grades drop a bit, go out and do the things you love to do.

What Colleges Want

When colleges say that your transcript is the most important part of your application, it's a lie. Take two students. At the elite university they both applied to, there is one last spot in the freshman class and these two are contending for it. As far as essays, teacher recommendations, extracurriculars, and standardized testing goes, they are indistinguishable. Now, student A has a GPA of 3.95. Student B has a GPA of 3.8, but has written a best selling book series on quantum mechanics. Now, who do you think is going to get into the university. Hint: it's not A.

Here's the low-down from (APPROXIMATELY) least important to most important factors that most colleges consider and that are within your control

level of interest demonstrated

the interview

counselor/teacher recommendations

the essay

extracurriculars

curriculum (in context)/grades/class rank/grade trends

extremely special talents and skills



In my next post, I will address these all in detail. However, the following factors also bear mentioning here (and they will be covered in more depth later). They are out of your control and listed in no particular order.

ethnicity

geographic location

legacy status

miscellaneous

My Blog 101

Dear Readers,

This blog is an attempt to help my fellow victims. The college process is a harrowing one, and best braved with hardened experience. However, in its obvious absence we must settle for the counsel of others. No doubt, there are quality books on getting into Harvard and finding the "right fit" college, but from my own experience the very best counsel comes from a peer. From my recent past and future I prostrate myself as a guinea pig for your benefit. I will attempt to be occasionally comic, always perspicacious, and a strictly candid so that you, my reader, my fellow victim, and my student, will best benefit from my ordeals and bear the process better than I.

The structure of this blog will be as close to chronological as possible, and I will attempt to divulge any insight and anecdotes according to the order of the college search, the application, and the admission process timetable.