Its most ironic that SAT was initially used in college admissions as a tool, first by Harvard and then by all other elite schools, to identify poor yet talented kids who were outside of the privileged prep schools, and now being perceived as an obstacle to these same kids’ success in college admissions.
Originally designed by a Princeton psychologist and first used by Harvard College SAT has a long tradition in those schools. I think the admissions offered a sensible approach in waiving the requirement in extenuating circumstances due to Covid-19. But making SAT/ACT optional would undermine a process that has made Harvard College a success over the years. The former College dean, Harry Lewis, who still sits on admissions committee, along with his wife who is the admissions director, had this to say in his college admission report back in 2000:
Apparently (and fortunately), at Harvard admissions, there are still people who care about excellence in standardized tests.