In today’s episode of “College Admissions Real Talk”, Dr. Legatt discusses a recent announcement concerning SAT II tests.
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Transcript:
VO: Welcome to College Admissions Real Talk with Dr. Aviva Legatt, a podcast for students seeking to get admitted to top-tier colleges. Each episode will feature an important tip for your college admission success, delivered with candor and love. If you’ve ever wanted to take a peek inside the mind of a college admissions officer, this is your chance. Have a question? Text Dr. Legatt at 610-222-5762. So, what’s your dream school?
AL: Welcome to College Admissions Real Talk. This is Dr. Aviva Legatt, founder and Elite Admissions Expert at Ivy Insight. Today, we’re going to be talking about the exciting news that SAT II subject tests will no longer be offered and that the SAT optional essay is going away. In my opinion, this is overall cause for celebration. There has been far too great a focus on standardized tests in the admissions process, even when what the growing popularity of alleged test optional policies. You could read my Forbes article for more about that. But basically many colleges said they were test optional. But the reality was they were preferring students who had exams over those who did not. Back to the subject at hand, and a bit of background about SAT II subject tests. So these examinations were always one of the least important and most painful aspects of the admissions process. Because they really require a lot of time for students to study and they are not that important relative to other factors in the admissions review. So, although I applaud the elimination of these exams, unfortunately, the emphasis on standardized tests is not going away anytime soon. My suggestion to provide admissions offices with additional perspective on your academic abilities definitely consider taking AP exams in topics that align with your interests and your strengths. The good news is that even though exams will still be prioritized at least with AP exams, you have a chance to get college credit if you get a strong enough score and the college where you’re going accepts those scores as a substitution for a class you’d like to take. Make sure, also, that you build in time this upcoming year to plan and prepare for either your SAT or your ACT. Before deciding which exam to take I definitely recommend that you take a diagnostic so that you can decide which exam is better for you and build your study plan. In my forthcoming book, “Get Real and Get In”, and in our work at Ivy Insight, the focus is on helping you to figure out how to prioritize your time so that you can become the best version of yourself. Test-prep and test-taking is one dimension, but not the entire picture of a comprehensive plan that will help you to achieve lifelong success. I want to put out there that my team and I are standing by. If you have any questions about the standardized test, you want to take a diagnostic and build out your college plan, please text us at 610-222-5762. We look forward to continuing to support you along your college journey and to helping you discover the best version of yourselves.
VO: College Admissions Real Talk is hosted by Aviva Legatt, edited by Stephanie Carlin, and produced by Incontrera Consulting. I’m Caroline Stokes and this has been your daily boost of college admissions insight. Have a question? Text Dr. Legatt at 610-222- 5762. For more information on Dr. Legatt and Ivy Insight visit www.ivyinsight.com. And you can pick up Dr. Legatt’s book, “Get Real and Get In”, at major retail outlets across the world. Insight out.
