Speaks Out

UC President Richard Atkinson has proposed dropping the
SAT I as a requirement for admission. What’s your opinion on
this? Gary Nunez Fourth-year Business
economics "I think that the SAT has both positive and negative
aspects. The test helps put people on the same playing field since
it’s a consistent factor that the university can use when
comparing students. Any test made by people will discriminate,
since some people are better test-takers than others or have
different learning experiences. I don’t think the problems with it
are so significant to warrant its removal.’ Jake
Loughridge Second-year Business economics "I did not
perform well on the SAT and I do have some qualms about dividing it
strictly into verbal and math sections with time constraints.
However, I think that the idea of banning it as a tool is
absolutely ridiculous and one of the most asinine things one could
possibly consider. Granted it must have its problems, but I think
it’s a very fair test for all high school students." Joanie
Dupont Third-year Psychobiology "I disagree. I think that
the SAT should be used, but maybe weighed less. It’s really
important to have standardization among applicants because each
high school adheres to different standards. Because of this
difference, you can’t really compare students in terms of GPA. The
reason I would weigh it less is because of the studies I’ve read
showing the bias of the test toward people from lower socioeconomic
communities. Still, some level of standardization is needed."
Irene Wan Third-year Neuroscience "I agree with
Atkinson’s decision because it would allow a more equal opportunity
for everyone to come into the UC system. Also, I think that they
should either have a different test or write the SAT differently so
that it encompasses everyone. The test right now favors those from
upper-class neighborhoods. It’s made more unequal by test-aid
resources such as Kaplan and Princeton Review, which are really
expensive programs that not everyone can afford." Jessica
Arline Second-year Political science "I think removing the
SAT is a great idea. Removing it would help get more minorities
into this school. The whole point of college is that you want
well-rounded students and SAT scores don’t reflect this, nor does
standardized testing in general. Maybe it’s inconvenient, but if
we’re going to test people we have to do it a different way, not
just by filling in bubbles on a multiple-choice test."
David Hsu First-year Molecular, cell and
developmental biology "I think the SAT is a good test to measure
how well we can perform. I disagree with what Atkinson is trying to
say. I did well on the SAT and that had a big impact on me getting
into this school since my GPA wasn’t that great. The test is just
math and English. Anyone who went to school and has basic math and
English skills can do well on the test." Speaks Out compiled by
Cuauhtemoc Ortega, Daily Bruin Senior Staff. Photos by Kelsey
Retting, Daily Bruin Contributor.