Thread by @JonBoeckenstedt

Thread: Some observations about 2020 #TestOptional announcements:

It seems like the come in a few broad categories:
a) We're test optional going forward
b) We're test blind
c) We're test optional as a x-year pilot
d) We're test optional for a year

And, some hybrids, of course

Group a) consists mostly of schools who've been debating for a while, or who had the proposal in the works pre-pandemic
Group b) burned it all down. Congrats. I wish I'd been brave enough to pursue that approach
Group c): Good enough. Do your research, as you should

But group d): Let's talk about them.

They'll admit this class in spring, 2021. They'll open their application for 2022 in August, 2021.

That's a month before the first test-optional cohort enrolls.

Some of these places may have just rushed through a one-year policy to deal with the tyranny of the urgent. Maybe they'll take steps to make it permanent (or a pilot project) in the interim. Let's hope so.

Maybe they'll see the light in review; free from the straitjacket of tests and the limitations they impose on selection, perhaps the admissions staff members will make some noise. Maybe there are faculty on those committees who will feel the same. Fingers crossed.

But I doubt it. Part of the panache of working at some of those places (you know, the ones who almost apologized for going test-optional for a year) is the country club aura tests lend an institution.

Because tests mean wealth, mostly.

But a one-year policy essentially says, "We've made up our minds, and we're going back as soon as we can." Which may be next year. Or the year over that. Who even knows?

But perhaps there is some hope, distasteful as it may be.

What if applications go up 25% from very good students who wouldn't have applied because they're "only" at 1350 or a 30?

Admit rates plummet. Decisions become even less predictable. 80% of the class is taken in ED. Aid goes down. Everything else they want.

What then?

I guess we'll see.

What's your best guess?

Oh, and #EMTalk