In response to New York University's and Colby College's announcements that they are no longer requiring applicants to take either the SAT or ACT, InsideHigherEd.com, in an April 21 article titled "SAT Skepticism in New Form," addressed the issue. Editor Scott Jaschik reviewed similar decisions made by other institutions in years past including Hamilton's decision to become SAT-optional in 2001. Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Monica Inzer shared some of her observations with Jaschik.
"At Hamilton, about two-thirds of students who are admitted still submit the SAT. But the rest use one of the other options. Hamilton did extensive research before adopting its policy, which started as an experiment, and was extended only after determining that those who didn't submit SAT scores were performing as well or better than those who did," said Inzer. She explained that "while Hamilton's research found that the SAT has 'some predictive value for success' at the college, the correlation between SAT subject tests and academic success is stronger.
"I still think that standardized testing has a place in selective college admission, at least at Hamilton," said Inzer. "With fewer and fewer high schools ranking, inconsistent curricula, and what seems to be more grade inflation than ever, I like having some other measure to consider in our admission selection process. I'm not anti-testing. I'm not even anti-SAT. Rather, we want to give students a variety of ways to fulfill our testing requirement."
Hamilton was also referenced in another national publication, USA Today, on Wednesday, April 22, in an article titled "Public universities predict hefty tuition increases; Sources of woe: State budget cuts and endowments." The article reported that, at the same time that public institutions are increasing tuition numbers significantly, many private colleges and universities have set the lowest tuition increases in decades. Hamilton, which is raising tuition by 3 percent, the lowest increase since 1967-1968, was included in a list with The University of Pennsylvania, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Princeton University and University of Denver.
"At Hamilton, about two-thirds of students who are admitted still submit the SAT. But the rest use one of the other options. Hamilton did extensive research before adopting its policy, which started as an experiment, and was extended only after determining that those who didn't submit SAT scores were performing as well or better than those who did," said Inzer. She explained that "while Hamilton's research found that the SAT has 'some predictive value for success' at the college, the correlation between SAT subject tests and academic success is stronger.
"I still think that standardized testing has a place in selective college admission, at least at Hamilton," said Inzer. "With fewer and fewer high schools ranking, inconsistent curricula, and what seems to be more grade inflation than ever, I like having some other measure to consider in our admission selection process. I'm not anti-testing. I'm not even anti-SAT. Rather, we want to give students a variety of ways to fulfill our testing requirement."
Hamilton was also referenced in another national publication, USA Today, on Wednesday, April 22, in an article titled "Public universities predict hefty tuition increases; Sources of woe: State budget cuts and endowments." The article reported that, at the same time that public institutions are increasing tuition numbers significantly, many private colleges and universities have set the lowest tuition increases in decades. Hamilton, which is raising tuition by 3 percent, the lowest increase since 1967-1968, was included in a list with The University of Pennsylvania, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Princeton University and University of Denver.
