is act sat required
Start writing a post
Student Life

The University Of Chicago Made The ACT/SAT Optional. All Schools Should Follow Suit

The ACT/SAT are just another set of standardized tests that do not prove much in the way of future success.

78
University Of Chicago

EVERY high school student has concerned themselves over this at some time (well, many students, at least). The dreaded ACT and its equally ominous rival, the SAT. They both scare students to the point where they can become thought consuming. They both can affect which college you can go to, along with your GPA. For some schools, the ACT/SAT are more of an option now, but this was reserved for smaller schools. However, there has been a change; the University of Chicago, one of America's powerhouses, have also made the switch over to making these two standardized tests optional. This is big; UC is one of America's best universities making the alteration. This was far overdo; the ACT does not provide anywhere near as much value as people may think.

The ACT/SAT are tests essentially required to get into universities. Usually, the biggest schools possess high average ACT scores; Harvard had an ACT range of 32-35, for example. One bad day can drastically decrease the chances of you getting to attend a larger school. Now, I am a believer that undergraduate institutions are contingent on fit, but there are so many great schools that will balk at the suggestion of taking anyone with a below average ACT/SAT score, despite possessing a great GPA and extracurriculars. This can also apply to more impoverished communities as well.

The ACT/SAT require some preparation, preparation which can be more easily acquired in better, more propped up school districts. For kids in the most impoverished districts in the country? Despite being intelligent? This does not help. Now, are there great success stories? Definitely. College applications rely on more than the ACT, but the ACT makes up a significant portion of college applications. It does not help anyone when this single test can help define your entire college future. This is not even addressing how these tests predict little about your future.

These tests have little value in predicting future success. High cumulative scores and low cumulative scores seem to make about half a percentage point of difference in terms of college GPA. There was a higher correlation between high school GPA, rather than the cumulative ACT score. Certain sections of the ACT had more predictive power, such as English and Math, but not overall. How helpful is the ACT or SAT, then? How is it something beneficial to have when most studies have not shown them to predict much in the way of college success.

I hope to see this trend continue in the future. Sure, some standardized tests can be beneficial (the MCAT and LSAT, in particular, are very important), but where is the benefit here? Where there is no need for a test, there should not be one. University of Chicago becomes one of the first heavy hitters of academia to do away with an antiquated measure of college aptitude. I hope they will not be the last, and that students will be given other avenues to prove their value to institutions. A college kid can dream of a world where all this test does is prove you can simply take the test.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57443
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37013
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958753
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190906
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments