Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Columbia University Eliminates SAT and ACT Requirements So They Can Prioritize Diversity Over Academic Excellence
100% Fed Up ^ | By Amber Crawford | Mar 9, 2023

Posted on 03/09/2023 8:56:56 AM PST by Red Badger

Columbia University has become the first Ivy League school to officially eliminate SAT and ACT scores as a required part of its undergraduate admissions process. This effectively changes their focus from academic excellence to diversity.

The university, whose typical accepted student has achieved a near-perfect score on their standardized testing and has an average high school GPA of 4.12, announced this change last week.

Columbia’s website stated that this decision was “rooted in the belief that students are dynamic, multi-faceted individuals who cannot be defined by any single factor.”

“Our review is purposeful and nuanced – respecting varied backgrounds, voices and experiences – in order to best determine an applicant’s suitability for admission and ability to thrive in our curriculum and our community, and to advance access to our educational opportunities.”

The Ivy League university suspended its SAT and ACT requirement during the pandemic, and last year it saw a 4% increase in admitted students of color as well as a 3% increase in first-generation college students.

Now that the university has made this change a permanent one, Columbia has assured applicants that whether or not they submit test scores will not automatically advantage/disadvantage them in the application process.

“Applicants will not have an advantage in the admissions process simply by submitting ACT or SAT results,” said university administrators. “The submission of test results will be viewed only as one additional piece of information among the many factors that we will consider in our continued practice of a holistic and contextual review process.”

By eliminating testing, colleges will focus on increasing their diversity, purposefully rejecting high-performing Asian and white applicants in favor of black and Hispanic students.

Harvard and the University of North Carolina have been served with lawsuits in which test scores were presented as evidence that they rejected Asian and white applicants who scored high on their standardized testing in order to promote diversity.

To reduce proof of preferential treatment towards racial minorities, many institutions will likely follow the trend to eliminate testing in their application process.

After Columbia University announced its removal of SAT and ACT requirements, they were immediately met with backlash from the public, many of whom express the fear that the removal of such requirements will lessen the overall intelligence of future college graduates.

Others fear that they will pay incredible amounts of money for a college education, only to have that education ‘dumbed down’ in order to include students who weren’t able to obtain a good high school education, or who weren’t willing to put in the effort to do so.

Journalist and news anchor Saagar Enjeti condemned the move and the dangerous precedent it sets, saying, “The entire US elite system is ditching merit in favor of an affirmative action regime. No test scores for college, no LSAT for law school, soon no MCAT for med school.”

Elon Musk responded to Enjeti’s tweet, saying, “Very few Americans seem to realize the severity of the situation.”

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was among the majority of colleges that made SAT and ACT scores optional during the pandemic. However, they have already reinstated the testing requirement because they recognize its importance in maintaining the institution’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world.

MIT Admissions Dean Stu Schmill explained the university’s decision to keep its testing requirements, saying that it’s “not all about who comes in the door but also who goes out.”

At one point, MIT admitted students with a wider range of test scores. This resulted in fewer students making it to graduation.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education; History; Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 next last
To: Red Badger

Another school I won’t be hiring from.


21 posted on 03/09/2023 9:17:33 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz (“Racist” is the new “Nazi”.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Karliner

In 5 years, how many businesses will want to hire a Columbia Grad?.....................


22 posted on 03/09/2023 9:17:38 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000
3 years from now there will be reports that 60% of the student body cannot write a simple essay.

That would be a dramatic improvement.

23 posted on 03/09/2023 9:18:13 AM PST by P-Marlowe (I got the <ΙΧΘΥΣ>< variant. Catch it. John 3:16)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Another school I won’t be hiring from.


24 posted on 03/09/2023 9:18:13 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz (“Racist” is the new “Nazi”.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ProtectOurFreedom
Idiocracy is a prophecy.......................
25 posted on 03/09/2023 9:19:30 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Another diploma mill whose product is uneducated, indoctrinated humans.


26 posted on 03/09/2023 9:23:01 AM PST by curious7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

The good news is now we can add ANOTHER conspiracy theory to replace one of those who have become reality :

"Columbia University's academic standing will free-fall inside five years due to excessive wokeness."

If you work for Columbia, brush off your resume. I sense downsizing in your future.


27 posted on 03/09/2023 9:25:22 AM PST by so_real ( "The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

I’ve been told Columbia did something similar in the 50’s and 60’s with regard to certain portions of the population.


28 posted on 03/09/2023 9:25:51 AM PST by Rlsau1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

They’ll still pull 40% of their student body from the same few dozen expensive, elite prep schools.


29 posted on 03/09/2023 9:33:00 AM PST by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Columbia’s decision to remove SAT and ACT testing brings new meaning to Dumb and Dumber.


30 posted on 03/09/2023 9:34:11 AM PST by Rappini (In hoc signo vinces)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PGR88

Nobody will want their kid to go there.......................


31 posted on 03/09/2023 9:37:05 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

“Black and Hispanic students are stupid.”
But, Columbia needs their student loan money.


32 posted on 03/09/2023 9:57:42 AM PST by MCF (If my home can't be my Castle, then it will be my Alamo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mogger

You, sir, make way too much sense...


33 posted on 03/09/2023 10:15:33 AM PST by exinnj
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: PGR88
They’ll still pull 40% of their student body from the same few dozen expensive, elite prep schools.

Because they pay the tuition for the other 60%.

34 posted on 03/09/2023 10:19:29 AM PST by 1Old Pro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

This would be funny if it weren’t so sad and outrageous.


35 posted on 03/09/2023 10:29:52 AM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMV.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

My consulting company we hired to find recruits for management jobs. We round filed applications from the Ivy League, and Lawyers. They tended to be egotistic lefties.


36 posted on 03/09/2023 10:30:47 AM PST by stubernx98 (cranky, but reasonable)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Requiring excellence is (all together now)...RACIST!


37 posted on 03/09/2023 10:35:06 AM PST by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Militia to the border! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JimRed

Do they have a Medical School?.................


38 posted on 03/09/2023 10:35:43 AM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

All you need to know about Columbia University https://www.academia.org/the-origins-of-political-correctness/


39 posted on 03/09/2023 10:41:13 AM PST by cva66snipe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

If we have normalized mail-in ballots, why not just have mail-out diplomas for a nominal fee? The effect would be the same and would save time, allowing the “deserving graduates” to gravitate into government jobs.


40 posted on 03/09/2023 10:44:39 AM PST by DPMD (ua)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson