Change is Good

I received a letter in the mail recently from my undergraduate alma mater, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). It is a small university in Worcester, MA which focuses on technology and innovation. To prove the later, they are making a rather significant change in the fall of 2008 (why so late, I don’t know…) in that they are eliminating the SATs and/or ACTs as admission requirements. WPI is the first nationally-ranked science and technological university to do so. It seems over the course of the past several years, internal studies have shown that these standardized tests are the least predictive element of a student’s success at WPI. Instead, students can submit actual research work, science projects, or other indications of academic achievements in lieu of the standard test scores.

I personally commend the school at taking this bold move. While I didn’t necessarily do poorly on my SATs (1220 IIRC), WPI was my ‘reach’ school and one that I honestly didn’t think I was going to gain acceptance to when I applied. The school has a reputation of being very difficult to get into because of a small admitting class to keep class size down and a favorable student/teacher ratio. However, I took a stab at it, was accepted, and received a world-class education.

The letter indicates that the move is in an attempt to allow those kids who don’t necessarily test well, but have the motivation and leadership qualities that truly matter to submit an application. Those kids in the past, like I almost was, are typically passing the school over and writing it off in the mistaken assumption that they can’t get in without a good test score. However, since the school is building the leaders of the future…and we know life doesn’t have a routine test you take…they are taking that out of the equation.

So, I tip my hats to the school and the administration. I hope this serves them and the future classes well and they can continue on with the strong heritage that I proudly display on my resume.

B.