Let's not throw out the SAT...

The SAT is not what's keeping kids from going to college. Sometimes, it's the best chance they have.
Phil Defranco video: • This New UK Scandal is...
Score percentile data: blog.prepscholar.com/sat-perc... school stats: nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display... rates: nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indi... schools and their score ranges: www.nrms.k12.nc.us/cms/lib/NC...
0:00 Intro
3:11 Does a low score doom you?
7:14 SAT/ACT vs. traditional college-entrance exams
11:14 SAT vs. subject-specific exams
15:40 The SAT is an opportunity
18:26 Financial barriers
20:03 Should we be pushing kids to college?
23:10 Conclusion

[@raphaeltinio9168]

Dang you should make an official podcast

[@danielledupreez]

I want to be clear that I'm not trying to say the SAT is actually a fair metric, and I'm aware of the relationship between SAT performance and socioeconomic status. It's even more concerning that there are noticeable racial disparities when we look at demographics of students whose scores fall in each range. We see the same thing in likelihood to retake the SAT. However, these disparities track across GPA, across graduation rate, across state exams needed to advance grade-levels, and across access to particular classes, teachers, safer schools, well-performing schools, Wi-Fi, etc. This means that even if the SAT was a perfect assessment for measuring how prepared students are for higher education based on their mastery of the core concepts in high school, we would see these racial disparities because it is a system-wide problem affecting students' entire 13 years of primary and secondary education. I do think the SAT is a mostly reasonable assessment, by which I mean that the content tested in the SAT is related to the minimum background knowledge and skills students are expected to have coming in to college. In that respect, I don't agree that it 'just' tests how well you take tests. Of course test-taking ability is a large factor, but you are expected to take high-stakes tests all throughout your education and especially in college. So, opposing the test-taking skills aspect of the SAT means opposing the concept of testing as a measure of learning, and implies the need for a systemic logistical and philosophical overhaul of education. If this were possible, I would support it. In practice, I have no idea how that plays out. An individual student who has been subject to educational and/or economic disadvantage their entire life does not have any obvious opportunities for overcoming poor GPA, lack of extracurricular opportunities, teachers that are unfairly biased against them, or absence from school. But they can take the SAT. And they can take it repeatedly. And statistically, it seems like the overwhelming majority of test takers receive an SAT score that proves their college-readiness to at least some schools.

[@williamsircin6025]

I like to watch things like this sometimes, to remind myself just how much I despised school and everything about it. So, thank you.

[@alexjones6118]

This is kinda random but just wanted to say I love your videos and your channel so much!! You seem like such a cool and insightful person with so many interests and it's been super cool to see your journey through college. Hope you keep posting videos even though you just graduated!!! (congrats btw!!)

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

Thanks for posting this video, Danielle. This is a very timely reminder. It's interesting that many colleges and universities have set aside standardized testing submission requirements. Over the last two years, the average composite scores of both the SAT and ACT tests have decreased. While a handful of schools had waived the need to submit scores prior to the pandemic, the list of schools no longer requiring them (at least through 2023) has increased quite a bit. They include some schools that traditionally have relied upon those scores when determining admission standards. I'm kind of "iffy" when it comes to waiving submission of these test scores. I understand why some schools are doing this. Underrepresented groups often underperform on standardized tests. If they are a vital part of a school's admission standards, then the school is placing the potential for admission well outside of reach for many such students. Many elite high schools not only stress preparation for such tests, but they also coach their students in how to master the test. This places students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds at a disadvantage when admission is largely based upon ranks from point systems that emphasize such tests. A student who struggled to find the funds to simply pay for the test is at a disadvantage to the student who has been coached for three years to master the test. At the same time, many students now take their ACT or SAT more than once and focus on the highest individual score or a hybrid "superscore" used by many colleges. Again, this places students of lower economic standing at a disadvantage. In fact, elite schools even contact the students and their parents regarding the opportunities to retake the test and improve their scores/superscore. That said: I believe that these tests are still important. They are a good barometer of an applicant's academic abilities. A student with a lower score would likely struggle at more academically-intensive programs and/or schools. Most public universities have enrollment standards for which the SAT and ACT might help influence a student's decision whether to enroll in that program (or influence the school's decision to accept an applicant into that particular program). I believe that both test organizations should restructure their testing programs with these things in mind. The students should be coached by the testing organizations beforehand -- letting them know how to prepare for years before their first attempt. Moreover, the programs should replace the schools by coaching the students with knowledge about potentially retaking the test (to improve their scores/superscore) with information on how to better prepare for each section. In line with your own conclusion, I think that these test organizations might help redirect students who perform poorly on the tests. A student with a below-average score probably won't gain acceptance into elite schools. In fact, they may struggle to gain admission into many state universities. However, that isn't always the best place for students who might struggle academically in certain fields. A high school graduate can succeed in life without a college degree. Whether they attend a trade school, simply work their way up through life or even start their own business, it is possible for success to come in different ways. I live in Palo Alto, California. One day, I offered some items on either Freecycle or Nextdoor. One of the men who responded to my post is a local contractor living in Palo Alto. I just happened to be outside when he picked them up and we struck up a conversation. It turns out that he was raised in Palo Alto by two successful and well-educated parents (both were Stanford grads). Yet, this man made a conscientious decision to forego college. Instead, he learned a trade (carpentry) and eventually opened his own company. His business is extremely successful too. He remarked that he has earned more money that either of his parents while still doing what he loved. Obviously, a college graduate has greater opportunities than someone without a degree. This is shown in Labor Department stats. Yet, I wonder how many students are being set up for failure by being corralled into university educations for which they aren't really prepared. Some will major in that niche field for which there are very few employment opportunities. That college graduate may finish school with enormous student loan debt. In the end, they might have been happier by the prospect of entering a trade with little or no debt. Thanks again for this fantastic video! I wish that I would have found a channel like this before I began my own college admission strategies.

[@kataiho4405]

I did horrible on my SAT and I was not top x% of my class which obviously led to my rejection from my state's top university. I ended up spending a year at a local University in my city and worked really hard to get a 4.0 to enhance my chances of transferring to the top state university. 5 years later I graduated with a 3.92 studying Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and got a really good job. I think for the most part there needs to be some way to distinguish how likely someone will succeed in a certain environment but from my experience the SAT and high school GPA are not good indicators at least not for ECE. Also, your KZbin channel would definitely blow up if you uploaded consistently haha :)

[@kylekotanchek3956]

I love your videos and how organic (not super edited) they are. Also I love that each video brings something new and valuable to the conversation, you're not just repeating the same things that everybody else is, you made me change my mind about the role of SAT in the US. And if it's not too personal, would you mind sharing what your job is/how it's like? As in is it linguistics or not and what are you studying/doing? Great video!

[@Dana-rl6pw]

Great video! I like the SAT and think that it is very important. I took it twice and every time it made me stronger. I love Danielle's channel, woo-hoo! Hearts and Smiles

[@Dana-rl6pw]

Danielle notice me

[@ritaabdul7823]

Hi! I recently found out about your channel and I can't stop watching you videos! They are so informational. I don't have anyone that can edit my questbridge/commonapp essays, so do you still provide that service?

[@lucilleduquette4905]

Hi Danielle, i’m a. Student outside the US, I like your videos, they have helped me a lot this years.Im a junior rigth now, and planing to study in the US, but all this subjects of SAT, essays, aplications, etc, feel stressfull, specially rigth now whit all the covid situation.I know the system is quite elitist in the way of choosing students, but I wanted qto ask you, In your point of view, What is it like for internacional students, and after all the pandemic situation.Btw, good vídeo :)

[@SophieChenplayscello]

Hi I was wondering if your essay revision services were back?

[@Basilisk4119]

I have no particular interest in the subject matter but I could listen to you all day

[@tahmidurswapnil]

I wanna take it. But covid isn't accepting my eagerness.

[@danielledupreez]

true

[@pionize9645]

+1 (person who got sat cancel 6 times )

[@jacobcrayola9311]

sorry for the off-topic, but in my common app essay can i write about how an author has shaped my identity? are mundane topics preferable to non-mundane ones? thanks.

[@BladexEyes]

I don't know. Overall, the school system in a vast majority of countries isn't that great, some are much worse than others. The system isn't designed to fit the students' needs. Quite the opposite, students have to fit the need of the system.

[@kharerishit]

What are your thoughts about the "adversity score" that they tried to roll out last year?

[@megandhingra3449]

When is your essay service starting up again?

[@joanacarcamo6733]

Hi! I wanted to ask if you are offering essay editing services for this application season. Are you on a hiatus?

[@bellzgoose9040]

In South Africa, we have over 13 compulsory matric exams in December every year

[@charansingh545]

I really wanna know about how did you get scholarships and also about college application process for my upcoming unpredictable college life. Can you please tell me 😌 ?

[@kinshooksfraand7921]

I just wanted to ask because I was going out of town to give my English proficiency test and wanted to know that the admissions officer can say when you went out of town you could have given your SATs as well. What is your opinion on this point? I am an international student. But great video🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@danielledupreez]

Sorry, I'm not sure what your question is. Are you asking whether or not you are able to take the SAT while out of town?

[@kinshooksfraand7921]

@@danielledupreez actually the problem is my test center will fall in another city and I am already travelling 1.once to give the IELTS and it won't be feasible for me to go out and give the SATs so my question is will the admission office is why didn't you travel the second time? 2. How much of a disadvantage would I be if I don't give my SATs?

[@ericlin5457]

I emailed you for common app essay advice... will you start doing it again in September

[@notgriffinn]

haven’t watched yet but I love the title hehe

[@wendyc9442]

what mic are you using?

[@BharathKumar-ih9sh]

can you please help me with my SOP

[@MrNbdyCrs]

Didn't know the girl from stranger things was going to college. Good for her 👏

[@ibmalik84]

Hey I tried emailing you to ask about, your college application but it doesn't work ??

[@danielledupreez]

Weird. I'm not editing right now, because I just started full-time work. I might start again in September. The info will be on my website! admissions-help.com

[@ibmalik84]

@@danielledupreez okay cool,,, let me just ask it here,,, is it okay if i send my application for Mphil for you to check?? that is if you start editing in September?

[@yushuzhang1187]

SAT does not test memorization

[@jackiez8946]

lol i think this video just proves the incredible subjectivity of us education. everything is subjective, and the sat is merely the least subjective

[@siddarthjainsumith4694]

Hi, danielle

[@shwnceline]

Omg

[@danielledupreez]

Hi Shawn