A List
2/21/05

STANDARDIZED TESTS TO BE OPTIONAL FOR ADMISSION TO SLU

CANTON – Students who apply to St. Lawrence University for entry in the 
fall of 2006 and after will not be required to submit scores from the 
SAT or ACT standardized tests.
	President Daniel F. Sullivan has announced the change in policy, 
explaining that the admissions process at St. Lawrence University has 
always been centered more on the academic and personal attributes of 
each individual student than on test scores and that St. Lawrence's own 
research shows scores "rarely play a decisive role in determining a 
student's admission status," said Sullivan.
	St. Lawrence has, for decades, used a comprehensive application 
with many components, all of which are evaluated by multiple admissions 
counselors.  
	"Since standardized test scores among St. Lawrence applicants and 
enrolled students have risen steadily over the past few years, from a mean 
score of 1128 seven years ago to a mean score of 1163 for the current 
first-year class, and as graduation rates continue to improve, we know 
that we have reliable information in our application and we have trustworthy 
review processes," Sullivan said. "Further, we have recently completed 
research that shows high school grade point average is twice as powerful 
as SAT or ACT scores in predicting academic success at St. Lawrence. So 
our decision is based on experience and research."
	Many selective colleges, such as Bowdoin, Wheaton, Dickinson, and 
Mt. Holyoke, have shifted from requiring standardized tests for admission. 
In 2004, Bates College – which made the tests optional 20 years ago – released 
the results of a long-term study of the practice showing "no differences 
in academic performance or graduation rates between submitters and 
non-submitters."
	Sullivan also noted that the SAT-I test has been redesigned and will 
be administered in its new format in March 2005. University staff has noted 
much concern from guidance counselors, admissions professionals and families 
about the SAT Reasoning Test (formerly the SAT-I), ranging from lack of 
confidence in the scoring system to worries that the skills tested on the exam 
do not relate to the skills needed in college.
	Students will have the option of submitting SAT Reasoning Test or ACT 
scores and requesting those scores be considered in the evaluation of the student's 
academic record, Sullivan added, since "each student knows his or her own 
capability and potential best. If a student feels that his or her scores will 
help us better understand potential for college success, we respect that 
opinion," he said.

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