University of California Ends Standardized Testing Requirement

If you hate taking standardized tests, then the latest news out of the University of California should be music to your ears. Last week, the UC system decided to end testing for admission across all undergraduate campuses.

One of the big reasons why the UCs are scrapping the standardized test requirements has to do with providing a fair opportunity to everyone applying. High school grades have proven to be a better way to assess students and do not require spending thousands of dollars on test preparation and fees. 

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Students first started having difficulty taking the SAT and ACT tests during COVID-19 lockdowns, driving many universities to search for alternatives. UC had already waved the standardized test requirements for this current year, so this change makes the policy permanent. 

This means that UC colleges will rely on remaining application materials including personal statements, academic history aka grades and classes, extra curricular activities, awards, and anything else you might submit in the application. The schools will still accept test results, but will not consider them for admissions. 

It is unclear if other universities will follow the lead of the University of California. Standardized testing has received greater scrutiny in the past few years as schools have placed a greater focus on inequality and discrimination. 

Overall, this seems like a great change as it will remove another stress that high school students face and focus attention on everything that an applicant can bring to a college. The full story can be found here.

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College Success Stories

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“In all of your years working with students, what were some of the most unexpected successes you witnessed – I could use a little pick me up?”—Jamie S., Rutland, VT.

A: Parent's thanks

I have been pleasantly surprised in my career with some of the "thank you’s I have received from parents who initially totally disagreed with advice I had given them and their children.  Many of the parents I have dealt with are as young as my own children and, perhaps, my "generational" perspective was not always welcomed.  I strongly believe that as children move toward college choices and decisions they must also move toward finding their own path.  Parents can be loving and all concerned, but this can also be overwhelming for kids who truly must start to make their own way. 

• Marie Bullock— Independent Counselor - Washington Lee High School

A: Enhanced study skills = better grades and more college choices

“Anna” came to us during sophomore year with dreams of attending medical school. Yet she had a B- average and test anxiety. Over the summer we helped analyze her study habits and come up with a concrete plan for the next school year. One of Anna’s strengths was her leadership in extracurricular involvement. We encouraged her to apply her enthusiasm to her medical interests—and she landed a paid summer position in a top tier medical research lab. When junior year rolled around, she put her new study plan in place and earned much stronger grades and improved SAT scores. This upward trend combined with her compelling activities helped her gain admission to her top college choice.

• Joan Casey—President - Educational Advocates College Consulting Corp.

A: Persistent, post-graduate, and Division I dreams come true

Persistence is the common denominator among students who have taken a gap year in order to gain acceptance to their dream colleges. These students had an interest in playing sports at the collegiate level. While each played sports competitively during high school, each needed the additional time and demonstrated academic rigor to advance to the Division 1 levels. Each student attended a selective boarding school post-graduate and is now playing basketball at Dartmouth, and the other is playing lacrosse at Davidson.

• Pamela Ellis– Founder - Compass Education Strategies LLC

Don’t miss answers by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Seton Hall, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork.  To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

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October, the Hardest Month for Seniors

Right now seniors across the country are feeling the stress of college full force. It is a force to be reckoned with, and it's bad. The SAT is on Saturday the 1th, most schools have their homecoming games and dances in a few weeks, early decision college applications are due in 3 weeks, and a lot more! Oh and now that school has been in session for a full month, teachers are starting to pack on the work because the course intros are over. October is the worst month for seniors.

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college applications, common app, high school, High school life, SAT, Tips and Secrets

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