I have problems with the college board and some of their practices and don’t feel morally comfortable taking the SAT/ other college board tests. However, I want to get into a good college and most of them require SAT scores or SAT subject tests. Is there any way I can have a competitive application without taking them? Any advice is welcome.
For the SAT reasoning, colleges accept the ACT as an alternative option. A few may accept the ACT in lieu of SAT subject tests as well.
@juicepb As ucbalumnus said, check colleges’ websites on whether they require the SAT/ACT and/or SAT subject tests. Some schools specifically require SAT subject tests, and I don’t think “feeling morally uncomfortable” is enough reason to skip them, unfortunately - it’s the way it is.
You may not like their practices, but you can’t just skip their services altogether. You can take the ACT. But if you are a semi-finalist for National Merit, you will need to take the SAT or forgo possible scholarship money. If any of your colleges require SAT subject tests, those are College Board. AP tests are administered by College Board, and the CSS Profile many schools require for financial aid consideration is through CB as well.
Plz elaborate on why u “don’t feel morally comfortable”. Are small animals being harmed? Is it causing global warming?
Is this a new and original way of saying you don’t test well?
You can also apply to test-optional colleges. There’s a growing number of them. http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
Also, the ACT. Or do you have the same problem with them?
^^^ what that runner said. note that some of the schools are really test flexible and accept ‘combinations’ of tests. if you don’t plan to take any, be sure to review the specific school’s reqs. as a general rule, schools that require standardized tests won’t even review your application until the testing requirement is satisfied. as others mentioned, financial aid at top schools will require you to avail yourself of the css profile (which may conflict with your morals).
I have to agree that I don’t like college board (in multiple respects), but college admissions and FA is quite co-dependent on college board. you’ll have to wrestle with how serious you are about your position and count the cost. and be sure to do that in time to recover in terms of taking the tests if you change your mind.
College Board is a company that needs to make money, and colleges are no different. Given that they issue a standardized test, what is morally objectionable about it? You may object to the fact that well off kids do better on these tests than poor kids, but you can’t blame College board for that. That is an issue far beyond college board’s scope. My only moral objection to College board is that they failed to make clear that when we requested a scored SAT back, they didn’t include the test with it. So I paid for a useless scored test with no way to see whihc questions were incorrect. That annoyed me, and they wouldn’t refund that extra money.
Three thoughts.
- I agree that I don't like CB but also agree with posters above that it doesn't rise to the level of hurting my family to avoid their services. If it does rise to that level, then you must skip schools that require it.
- Define good school? We've researched many good schools that don't require or even recommend subject tests. Seems top twenty schools require it but there far more good schools than top twenty.
- Do your research well if you still want to avoid CB and need a school that appears at the top of a list. Columbia does not require SAT II's if you submit ACT but if you submit SAT at all, then it is a package deal, SAT and subject tests.
I have a hard time imagining a moral dilemma that involves the College Board that would not also apply to the colleges and universities that support the College Board by requiring the tests they administer. If you feel strongly that you don’t want to support the College Board then be consistent and apply only to test optional schools (of which there are quite a few these days).
CB is unchecked/unaccountable to anyone and can do whatever it wants, and makes money while being supposedly nonprofit; it recycles its tests abroad despite the proven fact professional test takers help students cheat with the recycled tests in some Asian countries and can unilaterally suspend/cancel test dates without regards for test takers.
That’s why some people object to it.
In these respects, the ACT’s not better (witness the situation with the writing scores.)
However, such things don’t apply to colleges.
So, for someone who objects to this system, the best way to go is test-optional.
http://www.fairtest.org/sites/default/files/Optional-Schools-in-U.S.News-Top-Tiers.pdf
Note that some colleges are test-optional for admission but not for scholarships, so check with Admissions/FA officers before you apply.
If it’s the SAT specifically, then there’s the ACT (many colleges consider that ACT = SAT + Subjects, since the ACT has 4 sections + 1 optional writing section .)
I have problems with the practices of many large banks. I also want to pay for costly items without carrying my life savings in cash, so I bite the bullet and bank my money.