undefined | Better HN

0 pointsrahimnathwani1y ago0 comments

  unweighted GPA, relative class ranking, and SAT/ACT for college admissions - sort of like what the UCs do

UC admissions decisions don't use SAT or ACT scores.

Relative class ranking is a poor measure for students who gained entry (by merit) to a selective high school.

Like if you do well in middle school and get into Lowell by the skin of your teeth, should you be penalized for being in the bottom 10%?

0 comments

alephnerd1y ago

> UC admissions decisions don't use SAT or ACT scores.

Ope. I forgot that changed after COVID.

Pre-COVID SAT/ACT was required.

> Like if you do well in middle school and get into Lowell by the skin of your teeth, should you be penalized for being in the bottom 10%?

Someone is always going to be penalized no matter what. Most schools in California as well as nationally are not specialized or gatekept via entrance exams like Lowell was.

rahimnathwaniOP1y ago

  Most schools in California as well as nationally are not specialized or gatekept via entrance exams like Lowell was.

Right, but 'school' is not the relevant unit. 'Student' is the relevant unit.

Imagine the top 10% of middle school students in SF go to Lowell. Half of those will be in the bottom half of the graduating class.

So 5% of students in SF (half of the best 10%) might not get into their UC of choice, just because they managed to get into Lowell.

That's a lot of students' futures we're talking about. Why penalize half of the best students in SF?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse