By Kate Voltz (editorial) This week, the University of California (UC) school system, which serves more than 220,000 students over its 9 campuses, signed a final settlement agreeing to go completely test-optional for the next two years and completely test-blind after that. This ruling was based on a case that standardized tests discriminate against minorities and perpetuate inequities through a difference in available resources, prep, and retakes for tests like the SAT. This ruling lays out the most common arguments against considering standardized tests in college admissions: that they discriminate against minority students and only help those with the resources and support to excel. Students at CV of all ages have surely been considering applying not only to UC schools (including UC Berkeley and UCLA, some of the most influential public universities in the country) but to many other schools who may follow the lead of these institutions for fear of a similar suit against them in the years to come. In fact, both during and before the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools were choosing to transition to test-optional or test-blind admissions after criticism of testing grew; standardized tests have long been known to favor White and wealthier students over others. Regardless, this shift comes with consequences for prospective applicants. Riley Callahan, a junior at CV, is planning on applying to UC schools, namely Berkley. Of the change, he said, “I have a very competitive score, so scores weren’t something I was worried about as being a detriment—if anything, it was going to be a plus. That said, I think this is really important; the rest of my application is strong too, and I think this is for the better overall.” Another perspective applicant, Erin Smith, also a junior, explained that for some, standardized testing presents a chance to demonstrate their skills, meaning that to go completely test blind might “dissuade me [from applying], since I don’t have a perfect grade point average, so for me standardized testing would be an advantage as another chance to show that I’m not just my grades.” Others, like Yael Raich, another junior, believe that it’s a positive change: “Standardized testing isn’t for everyone. Some people can get a bad standardized test score but get good grades and otherwise be a good fit for the school, and still not get in, so I think it’s for the better” she explained. Many students are well aware of the societal implications of standardized testing. Matthew Grigsby, a senior, described his opinion thus: “I think standardized testing is an antiquated form of testing, and I think that going forward, the more we can move away from that kind of assessment, the better. It’s definitely a move forward.” Maya Schwartz, a sophomore, explained much of the rationale against standardized tests, saying “I think [the ruling on UC schools] is valid, because some people don’t have access to those types of study materials; some people can take classes or get testing books while others don’t have access to any of those resources, so it makes it more open to more students to be able to apply and have a fair chance.” Schools will likely continue to move away from standardized tests, spurred by public opinion, rulings like the recent one on UC schools, and an acknowledgement that tests may not mean everything about an applicant and their qualifications for any given school. As this shift occurs, high school students looking forward to their college applications will have to wait to see how these changes affect admissions decisions, the idea of “holistic review” of an application, and the balance of qualities in an application that can make a student most successful at the schools they’re interested in. Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2021/05/17/university-of-california-eliminates-the-sat-and-act-while-hundreds-of-colleges-stay-test-optional/?sh=29d1a9e8ab93, https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-09-25-1-600-colleges-are-now-test-optional-how-many-will-go-back, interviews with CV students in May 2021. Image sources: Photo by Zezen Mutaqin from Pexels, Photo by Jeswin Thomas from Pexels If you want to write for the Crescent Crier, we would love to see you at one of our virtual meetings, which are every Wednesday at 3pm! To come to a meeting, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/TrQ5PqFcDqeE2yiB9, and we’ll send you a link ASAP. If you would like to submit a single article - or anything else like creative writing, an opinion, an art piece, photo or photo series, or something else entirely - then you can do that using this form: https://forms.gle/WAHSoWJuVwK3q5du6. If you want to contact us for any reason, you can email
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