A notable shift in college admission policies as an unprecedented array of institutions waive standardized testing prerequisites, sparking fresh uncertainties.
In the vibrant academic community of Holy Cross College, students have been presented with a myriad of opportunities to broaden their horizons. From study abroad programmes to engaging debates on contemporary issues, the college continues to evolve and adapt.
Back in 2005, Holy Cross College made a significant move by eliminating standardized testing requirements from its admissions process. This decision, made with the aim of bolstering diversity on the college's homogenous campus, has since been regarded as a success. By 2008, administrators celebrated the increased diversity among students that the decision had brought about. Today, Holy Cross College is not alone in this approach, with 80% of U.S. colleges and universities, including every Ivy League school, maintaining test-optional admissions policies.
Interestingly, a growing number of experts and university administrators are questioning whether dropping standardized testing requirements has been a mistake. While it is true that standardized tests are a strong predictor of academic performance in college, particularly due to rising grade inflation at many high schools, they are also considered less tilted toward the socioeconomically privileged than other metrics. Studies have rejected the claim that prep courses offer test-takers a significant advantage.
Meanwhile, Worcester Polytechnic Institute announced a shift to test-blind admissions in 2021, joining schools like Assumption College and Clark University in Massachusetts, which went test-optional in 2009 and 2012, respectively.
On the 24th of February, the B.J.F. Society hosted debates on age cap for the U.S. presidency, gun policy, and legacy admissions at Holy Cross. The debates, which were participated in by Attorney and former Society president Neil Cawley '91, provided students with a platform to engage in thoughtful discussions and deliberations on these pressing matters.
In addition to these intellectual pursuits, students have had the opportunity to learn about study abroad opportunities, stories, and topics related to the programs offered by Holy Cross College. The Study Abroad Browsing Session, held in the Hive of the Prior Performing Arts Center on September 5, was a testament to the college's commitment to providing students with global experiences.
As students settle into their second term on campus, they have an opportunity to look back on habits that have benefited them in their academic and extracurricular activities. Many of these habits are ones that they have developed prior to college, but the college environment offers new opportunities to hone and refine them. After two-and-a-half months on campus, students are well on their way to making the most of their Holy Cross experience.
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