<p>“the effects of athletic recruitment, legacy admissions, and recruitment of minorities has a larger impact on the overall numbers than at much larger schools.”</p>
<p>This is well said. Same applies to universities. That’s why SAT ranges for schools like Princeton and Dartmouth are so impressive. They compete in NCAA division 1 with about 25-30% of students participating in a varsity sport, yet their SAT ranges are still at least as good as ones for Columbia, Brown, Cornell, etc. where the percentages of varsity student athletes are much lower due to the size of the school. Caltech’s SAT ranges are so high mainly because it lacks top athletes.</p>
<p>“Once you start investigating you’ll find that there’s actually quite a lot of information on LACs. Start with USNWR’s list of LACs which will give you a general idea of the academic rigor and selectivity. Then look up the individual schools in a college guide. Once you find one or two that sounds like it suits your (or your brother’s) desired ambience and learning style, you will find others in the same general personality type.”</p>
<p>Yes, and you will be overwhelmed by the many great LAC choices out there.</p>
<p>Some LACs take a more wholistic approach to admittance than others, and certainly more than large public universities. For this reason, an individual with a relatively low SAT score can be admitted if the person has other positives (and not just race or athetic ability). Remember, the SAT is a snapshot of an individual taken during a 3 to 4 hour period, on one day. It is hard to believe this is going to say much about a student, other than that the student did well on the test. Large public universities, like the University of California, place a lot of weight on the SAT, because they do not have the resources to fully evaluate each student. LACs may not have the same resource restraints. Indeed, some LACs are SAT-optional because they feel they can better evaluate students in other ways. </p>
<p>Also, the purpose of an LAC is, by definition, a liberal arts education – a wholistic education. A student who can ace the SAT is not necessarily one who will do well in this environment. For example, a good LAC places emphasis on the ability to write and communicate. The SAT is only beginning to test writing ability, and most colleges are ignoring the SAT’s writing section. </p>
<p>Finally, in evaluating LACs, look to their emphasis. A science school, like Harvey Mudd College (which is one of the Claremont Colleges) is going to attract very high SAT scores. Colleges that emphasize humanities may attract students with lower scores. Why? It may be that the SAT is weighted more to test attributes that predict success in the sciences, rather than those that can predict a successful college career in humanties.</p>
<p>DunninLA you are incorrect about Pomona’s football team. The majority of the football team is not from Pitzer, and although yes they are winless so far this season, it is not because they cannot field a winning team. Last year Pomona almost had an over 500 record but had 2 or 3 real heart-breaking losses. Additionally, your logic for PP teams would apply to every sport then, such as baseball, and yet Pomona’s baseball team (also majority Pomona), which has been best in SCIAC and one of the best teams D3 nationally for years. This does not even mention men’s water polo (most pomona), which is one of the best teams in the country DI or D3.</p>
<p>Thank you anonymous - well stated. At almost every (perhaps all of them?) athletic team fielded by P-P has a majority of Pomona athletes. Let’s hope the football team wins their next game!</p>