Online the university made a significant decision on Wednesday: it will no longer compel undergraduates to take standardized tests. Congradu-lations.
People are complicated; one characteristic cannot fully describe them:
“The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and Columbia College have comprehensive and contextual applicant assessment processes that are founded in the conviction that students are multifaceted, dynamic individuals who cannot be defined by any one factor.”
Nuance is required. Even if someone failed the SAT, they might still have a strong enough identity to attend college:
“In order to establish an applicant’s appropriateness for admission and potential to succeed in our curriculum and community, as well as to increase access to our educational opportunities, our examination is purposeful and nuanced – honoring various origins, voices, and experiences.”
Be your lovely, bold self:
“Our application has been created to give students the best chance and flexibility to fully represent themselves and highlight their academic abilities, hobbies, and objectives. The use of standardized testing is not a prerequisite for our application.”
Be unconcerned about your disadvantage:
“Students who decide not to submit their test results won’t be penalized in our decision-making process. We will keep reviewing all submitted data as part of a personalized application review procedure that takes into account the particular set of circumstances that have shaped each applicant’s path.”
Could that provide administrators the ability to unhook the velvet rope based on their own biases? Given that “intellectual curiosity” is largely subjective, it wouldn’t seem difficult.
“The focus of our examination will continue to be on the academic rigor, success, and intellectual curiosity of each person.”
In many ways, Columbia appears to be in the lead. It is not only the first Ivy League school to completely abandon standardized test requirements, but it is also setting the bar high for social indoctrination. At least, that is what Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector, author, and Columbia alumna, claims. She recently said it in this way to Fox News.
Too many colleges in this country are run by arrogant idiots. Schools are supposed to educate, not indoctrinate.
Liberals are big into indoctrinating young people who are most likely not living at home w/parents whose ideas are totally opposite that of the ‘teachers'(?), who feel they’re qualified to teach “their ideals” to the youngsters, and that’s so very sad.