SATs now optional?

Photo from The College Board

Photo from The College Board

Anthony Weatherspoon

Photo from The College Board
Photo from The College Board

Earlier this year, Harvard University released a report proposing to make major changes to their admissions process.

Among the many changes proposed in the report, Harvard suggests that schools should be “clearly describing to applicants how much these tests actually  count  and how they are considered in the admissions process,” as stated on the Jan. 20, 2016 report “Turning the Tide Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good through College Admissions,” published on Harvard’s website.

This report from Harvard was endorsed by over 80 colleges and universities around the country including Princeton University, Yale University, and Dartmouth College.

The school wants their students to excel in academics, but also to have an impact in their communities. Harvard makes it clear that they envision an admissions process that allows for the student’s character to be the basis of their admission, rather than a test score.

“It needs to simultaneously reward those who demonstrate true citizenship, deflate undue academic performance pressure and redefine achievement so that it is both more meaningful and helps level the playing field for economically diverse students,” according to the report.

Any of the changes proposed in Harvard’s report may not be put into effect until years from now, if at all.