Disparity between Wesleyan reported class of 2027 profile and Common Data Set 2023-2024

Colleges & Universities Wesleyan University
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I’m trying to understand something, so hopefully someone has an idea of what’s happening. When I look at Wesleyan’s reported Class of 2027 profile, it shows a median SAT ERW of 750 and math of 760. However, the common data set for 2023-2024 shows 50% scores for ERW and math of 710 each.

So, am I reading it correctly that Wes admits students with a median (50%) score of 710 each (because this what goes into CDS), but the students that enroll have a higher SAT? It seemed odd to me, so wanted to make sure I was interpreting the data correctly. My expectation would have been the opposite since many students don’t submit SAT scores when applying (and those would likely below the 25% percentile), but might report them after admittance for school data collection.

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I think we talked about this on another thread…@circuitrider? @cquin85?

The Class of 2027 profile link does represent enrolled, not admitted student scores (my bolding)

  • Wesleyan University has been test optional since 2014. Of the students who chose to submit test scores with their applications for admission to the Class of 2027, the median SAT score for students enrolled was 750 ERW, 760 math; ACT 34.

Which yes, is different than the enrolled numbers on CDS (CDS should be only enrolled students, not admitted)…AFAIK Wesleyan does not require all students to submit test scores upon matriculation, only those who applied with test scores had to ultimately submit official scores. I expect there is a mistake somewhere (or maybe the class of 2027 profile scores are really admitted and not enrolled), hopefully others will weigh in.

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Thought I had searched for this, but did another search and found this:

Seems like the same problem. I really can’t make out what’s going on. Either a data reporting problem or students that have lower stats are choosing not to enroll?

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Actually, I think this post from yet another thread on this topic had it!

This is starting to make sense. The CDS is reporting all the scores for everyone whether they submitted for admission or not and the profile is reporting only the submitted scores that were evaluated as part of an application.

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This is where I think Wesleyan gets into trouble by trying to provide too much information. The August update is an attempt to reflect the stats of the enrolled class (as opposed to merely the admitted students), but it’s by necessity going to be less complete than the CDS since TO matriculants still have time to submit their scores as required.

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This interpretation comports with Wesleyan’s own wording as it appears in the class profile page:

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I think the trick is realizing that the CDS scores are for everyone including those that didn’t submit. That seems the opposite for most other schools who on the CDS only show those that submitted for admission.

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Wesleyan parent adding agreement that the profile page (which has admitted student data at the top and enrolled student data at the bottom) is including only scores submitted for admission.

Wesleyan requires all students, even TO students, to send scores (if they have them) before they start school in late August, and all of those scores are included in CDS enrolled student data.

If I were an applicant deciding whether or not to submit scores to Wesleyan, I’d use the data on the profile page, not the CDS.

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I wish they would make that clear on the CDS, which shows only a subset of students submitting scores:

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image927×96 3.88 KB

From 2023-24 CDS here:
https://wesleyan0.sharepoint.com/:x:/r/sites/IRDataandReports/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={511364A2-342B-44F5-9598-5AFF50E81CCB}&file=CDS_2023-2024.xlsx&action=default&mobileredirect=true

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Agreed! I assume it’s to do with the limitations of the CDS form. I’m not sure what the motivation for including the full data set is, but it certainly creates dissonance.

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I get exactly where you’re coming from, but part of me thinks that if you’re in the “actual” 25-75% range that you probably should submit. Otherwise, it’s just another element of playing the admissions game, which it seems a lot of colleges (and I would have thought Wesleyan might be in this group since they’re very willing to share lots of data to help applicants) like the idea of avoiding.

But maybe this is a question for a different thread! :sweat_smile:

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I guess…although Wesleyan has been TO since 2014. They clearly believe in it as a philosophy, and they accept lots of TO kids (including mine). So if the rest of the application is strong—and they give good info on that profile page about what they want to see—I think they are clearly saying it’s fine not to submit if the applicant has any doubt.

Also, my cynical take is that if they really want students to submit scores in the CDS range, I’m not sure why they would publicize the (very high) admitted student score ranges on the profile page.

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I’d suspect that this is the issue. If you’re coming from a known school or one that’s used to sending students to selective colleges, then it probably works to be TO. If not, then you might be out of luck.

Anyway, at least I’m beginning to understand the game even if I’m not sure I can play it! :crazy_face:

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Somebody made a really good point on this subject a few months back when they alluded to the confusion that is the CDS. Many people think the CDS is some kind of federally-mandated legal form that the schools are compelled to fill out. It’s not.

The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative is a collaborative effort among data providers in the higher education community and publishers as represented by the College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News & World Report. The combined goal of this collaboration is to improve the quality and accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student’s transition into higher education, as well as to reduce the reporting burden on data providers.

So, I think everyone wants to run to the CDS as THE authority for all the numbers - THE place where you are going to find legally-compelled accuracy vs. the shiny marketing stuff. But the CDS is not the 10-K and the school websites are not the shareholder letter. Wrong analogy.

If the school is providing the goods on its website, go there and forget the CDS. As for Wesleyan, I have not done a complete review of all its peer disclosures, but I would be comfortable putting them against any school when it comes to transparency. The information they provide on their website about the class profile goes into a level of detail that I would never, myself, care about or need, but there it is.

Is Wesleyan unique in terms of these two populations of students? IDK if every TO school requires its non-submitting population to submit scores, or in the other extreme if they - Wes - are the only one or one of a few. But I confirmed again before making this post that they do, and that they publish both makes them a model of candor and transparency. Oddly, though, it has caused at least one poster in another thread to question their disclosure practices. Still scratching my head over that one. National Liberal Arts Colleges Composite SAT/ACT Scores, 2023 - #10 by cquin85

In terms of the information that I think is most helpful to aspiring applicants, it has to be the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile scores of those who submitted, because that’s the pool against which you need to compare your scores. Who ultimately winds up at Wesleyan (enrolled) is interesting in evaluating the class, but getting in is the first step.

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Agreed. I have to assume that the reason they want scores from TO kids is to understand the differences (if any) between enrolled students who submitted scores in their applications and those who didn’t.

I really hope Wesleyan shares its longitudinal data one day!

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[deleted]

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Talked with someone at Wesleyan today (being purposely vague.) Get ready :exploding_head:

We have to start with the CDS definition of the test score question, C9, because that’s important here.

C9. Provide information for all enrolled, degree-seeking, full-time and part-time, first-time, first-year students enrolled in Fall 2023, including students who began studies during summer, international students/nonresidents, and students admitted under special arrangements. Report the percent and number of first-time, first-year students enrolled in Fall 2023 who submitted national standardized (SAT/ACT) test scores.

Note it does not say for ‘students who submitted scores for purposes of admission.’

Wesleyan includes in the CDS all the students they have scores for, even if they applied TO. Wesleyan does NOT require all matriculants to give an official test score upon enrollment, if they have one. (If they did that, the CDS proportion reporting test scores would be closer to 100%, maybe even over 100% to account for students who report both ACT and SAT.)

Anyhow, there are many ways the school might have test scores of applicants who applied TO…loaded in the common app but student chose option to not apply w/ scores, on the transcript, official scores sent but student applied TO, maybe in the Questbridge or Posse apps, and probably more I haven’t thought about.

So we have another instance of CDS data that may not be aligned with admissions/how admissions decisions are made. Unless we know specifically what scores the school includes in the CDS test score section, it might not necessarily be accurate to use for making to submit test or not decisions. I’ve often warned on CC about using the average GPA in the CDS for this very reason.

Everytime I ask questions, I learn something. I have never heard someone interpret CDS Q.C9 this way, but it’s certainly not wrong. Maybe even the way it should be.

Bottom line: Prospective Wesleyan applicants should use the test score ranges/medians in the Class Profiles to make the submit or not decision.

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Thanks for the follow-up and intel. When my D was a student there not long ago, her room mate applied TO and had to submit her scores. Also, I spoke to someone this weekend who said they still maintain that practice. Caveat: the person with whom I spoke does not work in admissions, but deals with admissions fairly regularly. So, handicap the odds of accuracy accordingly.

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If that were true…that they do require scores of all matriculants, why wouldn’t the proportion with scores in the CDS be higher? There are relatively few students who don’t have access to tests. I was assured the proportions reported on the CDS are accurate.

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I believe you. I’m just conveying what I was told, and I know for certain that it was a requirement when my D was there not that many years ago.

I have no sense of the non-test taking population, but agree that I would suppose it’s small. I mean, how do you know if you should not submit if you don’t take the test? But then again, there are probably kids who know that’s not their strength and may not take it at all based on PSAT scores. Again, probably the exception rather than the rule.

Perhaps Wes changed their policy. Or perhaps the “mandate” is a mandate in name only and there is no enforcement to submit. I don’t expect Wes would dismiss a student in good standing for not complying with the request to submit a withheld score. Maybe that’s the explanation … Wes wants the scores, but doesn’t make anybody do it who doesn’t want to or doesn’t get around to it. That population … "I don’t feel like it " is probably pretty significant.

I always thought Wes wanted the TO tests for internal study purposes to confirm a view of the predictive power of the scores.

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