SAT score optional? Could be a bad idea

I recently read an article explaining how some colleges are making the submission of SAT and ACT scores optional, and I have to say, I think this is a terrible idea.

The reason these schools are doing this is noble — they want to provide opportunities for low-income students to go to college and want to encourage first-generation students to pursue higher education. I have nothing against their motives. Generally speaking I'm for anything that will improve our country, as increased educational opportunities irrefutably will.

The problem I see is the same that many argue about the No Child Left Behind Act: It will enforce mediocrity and will end up lowering standards for schools and for students.

Without getting too deep into this debate, I know that not everyone agrees this is a pressing issue in our country. I also understand why my high school graduating class' middle percentileaveraged roughly a 3.7 GPA with the lowest average in the top 10 percent being a 98.6, while most of us received an advanced regents diploma with over one-third obtaining honors. Similar figures seem to be coming out of a majority of the high schools across the state.

Colleges will become the same way if they start removing requirements that are meant to foster a highly competitive learning environment and push students to achieve their best. Schools like Buff State, which are already over-enrolled and struggling to provide every possible opportunity to the attendants, will only face more difficulty.

The alternative for students who chose not to submit their scores is to answer four essay questions designed to get to the "spirit, heart, mind and soul" of the potential students, according to the article "ACT, SAT Score Submission Now Optional For Applicants."

It's a beautiful statement, and I still agree that everyone should have the opportunity to better him or herself. But should more colleges really jump on this train, or would we be better off sticking to the current formula?

While it is risky to continue on the same track when we have seen where it leads, I still think that going in a different direction is a bigger risk. This plan doesn't take into consideration the capability of a student to complete a college degree. Any person can refuse to submit test scores in exchange for writing an essay, and it won't take long for people to realize that they can hand the assignment to a more qualified writer and have them write the submission essay.

Beyond this problem comes the question of financial aid. There are enough problems with government-funded college programs and loans without the issue of giving money to people who may possibly never use that money for the right reasons but will rather accept money and then not be able to handle the demands of college courses, possibly depriving a more deserving student of funding they would have better used.

After all, who wants to work for their education when it can be handed to you?

Jennifer Waters can be reached by email at waters.record@live.com.