UC Berkeley:Not just for eggheads anymore

Gonz

Gonz

molṑn labé
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Study: UC Berkleley rebuffed highly quality applicants in favor of others Associated Press

BERKELEY, Calif. - The University of California, Berkeley admitted hundreds of freshmen students in 2002 with SAT entrance exam scores far below those of other applicants who were denied admission, according to a confidential report.

The preliminary analysis, prepared for the UC Board of Regents and obtained by the Los Angeles Times, reveals that nearly 400 students were admitted to UC Berkeley in 2002 with SAT scores falling between 600 and 1,000, well below the 1,337 average for last year's total admitted class.

Nearly 2,600 applicants with scores from 1400 to 1500 were not admitted and 600 would-be Cal students with SAT scores above 1500 were also rejected. Berkeley officials said some of those high-scoring students that were denied admission had relatively low grade-point averages.

Campus administrators also issued a statement Saturday, saying the Times grossly mischaracterized the results of the 2002 admissions process.

"UC Berkeley is proud of its admissions process. Every year, the campus reviews more than 36,000 applicants for 4,500 freshman positions," said Berkeley's assistant chancellor John Cummins.

"Each student admitted is outstanding, as determined by a thorough analysis of all of the information in their application file including their scores on achievement tests. This process yielded the strongest academic class in Berkeley's history," Cummins said in the statement.

Though the preliminary analysis did not include race data, UC regent and affirmative action opponent Ward Connerly called the analysis a "damning report" and took it as evidence that that the subjective review process could serve as means for admissions officials to weave a student's race into the decision-making the process.

Race may be an unstated factor in at least some of its admissions decisions, Connerly said.

"Either the University of California at Berkeley really believes that students who are lower academic achievers based on SATs are better students than those who are higher achievers on those tests, or there is some other reason here. You know which I think," he said, adding "this is a damning report."

Richard Black, UC Berkeley's assistant vice chancellor for admission and enrollment, countered that students with the 600 to 1000 SAT scores were accepted largely because they "made the most of the opportunities that were available to them."

Information from: Los Angeles Times
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1) I think standardized testing is bullshit, but I can't think of a proper replacement.

2) I think going off GPA is bullshit too, but I still can't think of a proper replacement.

3) I think pulling the race card is so preditcable these days its sickening. Bullshit.

As far as the tests go, I'm one with a moderate GPA but relatively high test (using ACT scores; no SAT-requiring schools in the midwest) scores. My best friend has a high GPA, but very low test scores. Who's better? I guarantee you anyone who knows us personally would call bullshit if someone picked one over the other based solely on that information.
 
Mirlyn said:
1) I think standardized testing is bullshit, but I can't think of a proper replacement.

2) I think going off GPA is bullshit too, but I still can't think of a proper replacement.

3) I think pulling the race card is so preditcable these days its sickening. Bullshit.

As far as the tests go, I'm one with a moderate GPA but relatively high test (using ACT scores; no SAT-requiring schools in the midwest) scores. My best friend has a high GPA, but very low test scores. Who's better? I guarantee you anyone who knows us personally would call bullshit if someone picked one over the other based solely on that information.
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Have to say I agree with you, Mirlyn. Universities need to look at more than test scores or GPA. Student bodies that consist of a diverse mix of individuals create an environment that is far healthier and provides better preparation for the real world than some homogeneous mix of privileged over achievers.

The professional world that I have experienced does not operate on standardized tests, but rewards individuals that show how willing they are to take advantage of opportunities, how responsible they are, and how determined they are to achieve their goals.
 
The reason is because now the UC system automatically accepts the top three percent in GPA of every high school class. This is a recent thing.
 
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