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Madison Rogers Mrs. Watkins English 1213- MW 1:30pm 5 February 2014 Dream College Today, education plays an essential role in developing all across the country. Growing up everyone always dream of what college to attend in hopes of one day that it actually comes true. Some colleges have taken admission requirements to a new level, they are allowing a test optional admission. The choice is given to the student whether it would be beneficial to send in their ACT or SAT test results. Most students lack in being prepared when they arrive at their dream college. Is having test optional schools a good thing? Yes, there are benefits, but also potential downfalls for universities not requiring a standard minimum test score. There are many factors leading up to the benefits for universities not requiring a minimum test score for admission. Taking the ACT or SAT does not always show true skill and knowledge within yourself. The article states, Some studies show that test results do not correlate with long term success in college (College 1). When it comes to long term success researchers believe other factors come into play not just test results. Test optional colleges take into consideration your academic performance. Many students might have the knowledge in the classroom, but they lack in being a sufficient test taker. For example, one article states, A standardized test produces a summary statistic labeled student achievement which is very different from a narrative acco unt of students achievements (Strauss 2). What students achieve on the test and what they achieve with their academics are two different objectives. Test scores easily cannot

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give an accurate record of what is really accounted for through other abilities. With the ability to communicate within their social network will give the opportunity for someone to succeed far more in life than anything else. Test optional admission, test scores can still be submitted for scholarships and other purposes. These are some of the beneficial factors that are accounted for with test optional admission at the collegiate level. Some may not believe, but there are also downfalls for universities not requiring a minimum test score for admission. For instance, the article states, There are concerns that removing them may signal a lowering of standards, which in turn may deter well-prepared students (McKee 2). Some students may begin to think that they do not have to try as hard in the classroom to gain knowledge for the standardized test. Others, will feel discouraged in their ability to have skill in the classroom. Students will no longer be prepared for the college level when the standards start to lower. When students arrive at their dream college the coursework will seem difficult because test scores were no longer a factor anymore. In addition, the article states, The biggest obstacle is making the switch to test optional a priority in the face of hard economic times and bigger problems (McKee 2). Challenges will begin to build up within students, putting the struggle on them to overcome. With the test optional choice, students will have to show where else they can shine. These are some of the potential downfalls that need to be considered when choosing a university that is test optional admission. Another factor that falls within the hands of students is the lack of really being prepared for the right college. Is it the teachers fault or whose is it? The article states, 29 percent of those attending public four year colleges said they have been required to

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enroll in remedial course (Gough 88). Remedial courses are at the zero level, but have to be taken if the student did not receive a good test score in the mathematics division. It is a waste of money and time to take this classes since it does not really account for anything. That is why it is best to give it your all during high school and to take test to boost confidence in these courses. In addition, the article states, Eighty percent said that they would have worked harder if their high school had set high expectations. (Gough 89). It should not matter how high the standards are set, everyone should always do the best they can. Working hard means having the determination for something no matter what else is going on around. In life not everyone will always work hard but that does not mean to change your work ethics. Keep the bar set high so that you will feel accomplished within yourself. Some of the reasons why students truly are not prepared for their dream college. In the end, I believe that test optional colleges are essentially a good thing. Basically, give two options to succeed in life and get into the dream college. Both options give everyone an equal opportunity to excel with test scores or even within their academics. Although, I believe this is a good idea, I feel those ones that excel in academics still need to give their best on standardized test to be prepared for their college. Going to college is just one of the many steps to take before adventuring in the real world to find the job of a lifetime. When picking a college just think which route is right, the one that will get you far to succeed in the life you want to live. The next time when someone thinks about slacking, think what options is the right choice. No matter how hard the education gets, do not give up because it will always be one of the most important things in the life of success.

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Works Citied College Data. Going Test Optional. Web. 30 January 2014. McKee, Mercy. Test Optional Admissions: Benefiting Schools, Students, or Both? 1 September 2011. Web. 30 January 2014. Perkins-Gough Deborah. Unprepared for College. Educational Leadership. November 2008. Web. 30 January 2014. Strauss, Valerie. Were Number Umpteenth!: The myth of lagging U.S. schools. Washington Post. 3 May 2013. Web. 30 January 2014.