There is no doubt that the University System of Georgia's decision to waive the ACT/SAT test requirements to apply to a public technical college, 2 or 4-year college/university in the State of Georgia is news that will cause many to celebrate in the belief that admissions to a dream school may now be easier. For many, the SAT and the ACT have been dreaded tests that have caused some students to "not get in" to a specific college. For others, it has been the claim to fame that instilled the belief that they could get into a program/college. How does the absence of this requirement now cause an increase of weight given to other factors that are also used in admissions decisions- GPA, extracurricular involvement, essays, teacher letter of recommendation just to name a few?
Many of these questions will have answers that will come trickling in and rest assured, we will make sure to pass this information on to you through the Counseling Blog.
We are already getting some information from a couple of our colleges that are raising the minimum GPA to be admitted now that the test is no longer required. Kennesaw State University, for example, emailed us today to say that they are raising the minimum GPA to apply from a 2.5 to a 2.6. Remember, Kennesaw is a competitive college, so just because you have a 2.65, does not mean that you are necessarily beating out the other applicants and gaining admittance.
So, how should students do what they can to open up college options in a world that has said that the SAT/ACT will no longer be required for admission consideration?
Make the best grades you can!- They may not help out a senior this year if your grades are year-long and will not go onto the transcript until May 2021. Your block-level classes will count in January. A student can request that a mid-year grade report go to the college to demonstrate that the GPA is trending in the right direction, however. Cs hurt a student's GPA! It is a bit head-scratching that last year was a GREAT opportunity to raise final grades, and we found many students who were happy to get a grade up to a 70 and then stopped working. (Please note that, unlike last year, a student's grade can go down if he or she does not perform.)
Be Active!- Clubs, athletic participation, having a job, volunteer work, or participation in other school-sponsored activities (like the band) build a resume and make good grades even more impressive in the light of all the other things that took away from potential study time. These activities are also a great place to learn and demonstrate leadership, a valued character trait.
Write solid essays!- Because getting into competitive colleges means that you are competing against others, you have to recognize and embrace the fact that there is still a possibility that you will hear no and get denied. I know that it is not the sweet and comforting thing that you want to hear from your counselor, but it is true, and we want to see our kids have great opportunities beyond graduation! The essay is the very thing that students HATE about college and scholarship applications, but it is also the very thing that will separate the student that gets admitted from the student that is denied when the GPA is the same. The essay allows an admissions officer or a scholarship committee member to get a glimpse into your life story, to see your character, and personality. If you do not tell them how you are a person of great character, then how will they know it? Please spend time and effort writing these. Have other good writers proofread them. That is what the other kids who you are competing against are doing... Good writing is a process that happens over weeks. For some great coaching on the writing process for these essays, visit https://www.
Don't forget: Although the test is not required, it can still be helpful if it is a strong/solid score. Do not mistake test-optional for test-blind. Under a test-optional policy, colleges still welcome test scores from students who choose to submit them and consider them a valuable data point and part of the review process if testing is available.
Colleges will still be using scores if they are submitted in their review process.
We want to see you win! The game has changed slightly, and so will our efforts! Remember to work hard on the three things we have covered!
