Re:Reinstating our SAT/ACT requirement for future admissions...
by tharne on Monday March 28, 2022 @02:44PM
(#30834036)
> this is part of why I live in Europe where university students in general are seen as an investment by the state and not so much a business to be optimised
In this specific case, though, I don't think these two things are in conflict at all. By selecting the best candidates on the basis of merit, MIT is doing what's best for both MIT as well as the broader society.
We all benefit from living in a country that produces top-tier scientists and engineers, and MIT benefits from being a place that is known for producing top-tier scientists and engineers.
Re:Reinstating our SAT/ACT requirement for future admissions...
by LudwigNagasena on Monday March 28, 2022 @03:28PM
(#30834554)
Funny that you bring up Europe. As far as I know European countries don’t rely on extracurriculars and other nebulous measures as much as US colleges do.
Re:Reinstating our SAT/ACT requirement for future admissions...
by chernevik on Monday March 28, 2022 @02:05PM
(#30833575)
What's "inhumane" about trying to select those who will benefit most from your program?
Re:Reinstating our SAT/ACT requirement for future admissions...
by tsimionescu on Monday March 28, 2022 @02:13PM
(#30833667)
Doesn't most of Europe also rely on standardized testing for university admissions? My country definitely does so, and has for decades, both ore and post communist times. I also know France has the famous Bacalaureat at the end of high school.
Re:Reinstating our SAT/ACT requirement for future admissions...
by tharne on Monday March 28, 2022 @02:46PM
(#30834053)
> Doesn't most of Europe also rely on standardized testing for university admissions?
They sure do. So does India. In fact, a lot of other countries rely on testing a whole lot more than the U.S. which has interviews, essays, sports, teacher recommendations, etc.
The same factors that lead to success for SATs can lead to further academic success.
I believe that MIT is probably right, in fact, I'm quite certain of it. Many people will drop out of university or perform poorly than their peers for socio-economic reasons, the person working while studying will probably do worse than the person who just studies.
MIT wants the most graduates and especially the most successful graduates, so the institution is right to do this, but I do still think it's more inhumane than I'm personally comfortable with -- but this is part of why I live in Europe where university students in general are seen as an investment by the state and not so much a business to be optimised.