I’d like to see more on what exactly is an “integrity check”? Furthermore, while I generally am in support of merit being an important factor, I’m skeptical of standardized tests being the best indicator for what y’all are looking for. You want change makers, original thinkers, people who push into new and interesting directions, those that challenge the existing standards and still succeed. While I’m sure you’ll find them in some that do well on those tests, you might be inundated with people who do well conforming to the standards and miss on our others who would better contribute to your mission by the fact of auto-admission taking the capacity from those who might make it the other way.
Unjust. There should be wider acknowledgement of this fact. I see how high school students twist their lives around in service to this cruel game. Most end up feeling unworthy, heading off to state schools in a state of resignation. It's sad.
The other issue is that we are simply putting way too much emphasis on the importance of college, as if it will determine the rest of young people's lives. If society at large were more meritocratic, you'd only need to talk about college to get your first job, and after that it'd all be all about real-life achievements.
I'm very much looking forward to my daughter's application in a couple of years. We've been watching this inspiring story unfold while this country and much of the world was so obviously distracted and misdirected. Permitting our future leaders to think and collaborate freely with their peers and their educators, inspiring one another with the fruits that this liberty has previously given the world, is an opportunity to be cherished.
Back in the ancient days, when I applied to colleges, this was the case. But we stopped rewarding merit, and in addition, certain other countries started buying student admissions (almost exclusively to engineering, chemistry, and biology programs -- hmm, I wonder why they value that over all other programs), and look where that's gotten us.
Wow, that's some serious merit! Show 'em how it's done! Not even GPA is included, although I assume that would get mentioned in one of the three sentences. I only got a 1390 on the SAT, but hopefully I would have had the stuff to get in…back in 1993 when I was a high school graduate.
This is so refreshing. Please keep up the great work UATX.
I’d like to see more on what exactly is an “integrity check”? Furthermore, while I generally am in support of merit being an important factor, I’m skeptical of standardized tests being the best indicator for what y’all are looking for. You want change makers, original thinkers, people who push into new and interesting directions, those that challenge the existing standards and still succeed. While I’m sure you’ll find them in some that do well on those tests, you might be inundated with people who do well conforming to the standards and miss on our others who would better contribute to your mission by the fact of auto-admission taking the capacity from those who might make it the other way.
Unjust. There should be wider acknowledgement of this fact. I see how high school students twist their lives around in service to this cruel game. Most end up feeling unworthy, heading off to state schools in a state of resignation. It's sad.
The other issue is that we are simply putting way too much emphasis on the importance of college, as if it will determine the rest of young people's lives. If society at large were more meritocratic, you'd only need to talk about college to get your first job, and after that it'd all be all about real-life achievements.
I'm very much looking forward to my daughter's application in a couple of years. We've been watching this inspiring story unfold while this country and much of the world was so obviously distracted and misdirected. Permitting our future leaders to think and collaborate freely with their peers and their educators, inspiring one another with the fruits that this liberty has previously given the world, is an opportunity to be cherished.
I pray for your success and for the success of these brave students. A beacon of sanity in the collegiate world where so many have lost their way.
I desperately hope this works.
Sanity at last!
Back in the ancient days, when I applied to colleges, this was the case. But we stopped rewarding merit, and in addition, certain other countries started buying student admissions (almost exclusively to engineering, chemistry, and biology programs -- hmm, I wonder why they value that over all other programs), and look where that's gotten us.
BRAVO, UATX!
Wow, that's some serious merit! Show 'em how it's done! Not even GPA is included, although I assume that would get mentioned in one of the three sentences. I only got a 1390 on the SAT, but hopefully I would have had the stuff to get in…back in 1993 when I was a high school graduate.
A 1390 back in 1993 is like 1500+ nowadays. The test has changed quite a bit over the last 30 years.
Puts the ivies to shame.
My son takes his first SAT on Wednesday 🙏
Hurdle-rate admissions arent new to the world - look at uk, also what do you do when demand far exceeds admission slots?
It should be experience nothing beats experience