[MIT is reinstating its] SAT/ACT requirement for future admissions cycles

MIT Admissions ^ | March 28, 2022 | Stu Schmill

[jocon307]

Yep, that’s what it sounds like. Gee, you’d think the people running MIT might have figured that out, they are probably looking at some ridiculous percentage of their new students flunking out.

[maro]

As I recall, Dick Cheney was ousted after his freshman year at Yale as well. Cheney rebounded, and I hope that your friend did as well.

[Myrddin]

The UC system had a 5% affirmative action set aside in the 70s when I attended UCSD. That meant 5% of academically qualified students were excluded to make room for the AA admissions. The long term graduation rate for the AA admissions was 2%. A spectacular failure. Prop 209 sought to outlaw AA admissions policies. The voters approved. An attempt to repeal Prop 209 with Prop 16 in 2020 was rejected by the voters. The UC administration has persisted in trying to subvert the clear intent of Prop 209.

[Chode]

[Myrddin]

The AA admissions were evident in the test scores in classes. Consistently, the academically qualified had test scores above 85%. The AA admits were struggling with 40% to 60% test scores. Few survived two quarters before dropping out. The students were cut throat competitors focused on a high GPA to enter med school.

I had a neighborhood friend, my age, who was treated as a child prodigy when we were in elementary school. By junior high, that special coddling in elementary school gave way to the academically/socially disconnected nature of junior high and high school. His performance was average. I graduated a year early, so it was Fall 1974 when my neighbor showed up on campus. He soon discovered the new recreation hall with pool tables and food. That became more interesting than studying. One quarter and gone. The next (and last) time I saw him in person, he was taking a basket weaving class at Southwestern College. I was on the way to teach the Electronics 51/91 course. His wife is a school teacher. He drives a school bus. I have no idea how things went so bad for my neighbor.

[William Tell]

I think a lot of people have no idea just how competitive some universities are, especially in the STEM areas.

A colleague of mine was the top student in his high school. He found himself below average at CalTech. Imagine the adjustment one has to make in order to work so hard just to get a "C".

I recall hearing some years ago that a top STEM university had 7000 applications for graduate school with only 1000 openings. There simply was no room whatever for students who were not prepared to do the work.

The proper role for supporters of affirmative action would be to focus on helping their chosen candidates qualify given the qualifications already established by the universities.

[Whatever Works]

ROTFLOL! Too many unqualified “preference groups” got in on their own set aside privileges and couldn’t do the work and caused all kinds of campus mayhem. Awwwwwww......Who didn’t see that coming?

[Chode]

graduation rates dropped, who’d of thought...

[SauronOfMordor]

What makes MIT graduates so sought after, is that they are perceived as being drawn from the top tier of IQ.

Take that away, and an MIT diploma becomes toilet paper.

[Jumper]

Good. I assume that blowback from employers as well those providing instruction has shown that those “given no test opportunities” failed to learn. A business will suffer from low quality products and fraudulent quality control.

[Hambone 1934]

If you help the AA students qualify ,that means work...Rioting,stealing,grade inflation is sooooo much easier