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Decision reflects College’s
longstanding admissions practice.
Beginning with students matriculating in September 2006,
standardized test scores will no longer be an admissions
requirement at Holy Cross. Students can now opt not
to include SAT I, SAT II and ACT scores as part of their
applications without any negative impact on admissions decisions.
“This decision—made after several years of study,
discussion and serious consideration—reflects our existing
admissions policy,” says Rev. Michael C. McFarland,
S.J., president of Holy Cross. “We have a highly personalized
admissions process that already de-emphasizes standardized
test scores. In addition, the application process itself
is a window into the academic and intellectual life at a
college, and we want prospective students to understand that
Holy Cross is committed to the holistic education of young
men and women.”
“Admissions decisions at Holy Cross have historically
placed more weight on a student’s high school course
of study and other qualitative evaluations than on standardized
test scores,” says Frank Vellaccio, senior vice president,
who oversees admissions policy.
“We look at the whole student,” he continues. “We
evaluate a student’s academic career and consider the
choices he or she has made both in the classroom and outside
activities. While standardized scores give some snapshot
indication of a student’s abilities, we are increasingly
concerned with the inherent racial and socioeconomic bias
in standardized testing—as well as the fact that no
test can communicate a student’s passions, interests,
motivations and achievements.”
Director of Admissions Ann McDermott ’79 adds that,
when questions and published reports arose this spring about
changes in the SAT and the addition of essay-writing to the
test, the College was convinced that it was an appropriate
time to drop the requirement.
“We see the stress students and their parents experience
during test-taking season, as well as the amount of money
and time spent in test preparation,” she says. “Since
classroom work, writing and intellectual exploration are
more important to Holy Cross, we wanted to send the message
that that’s where students should be spending their
time and energy.”
McDermott notes that students may opt to submit scores if
they believe a standardized test score helps present the
fullest picture of their academic and intellectual accomplishments. “We
want to put the responsibility of portraying their academic
career back into the hands of the students,” she says.
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