변화되는 대학입시제도(중,고등학생의 자녀를 두신 학부모님께서는 필독하세요) > 질문답변

안녕하세요, 

저는  (시카고대학교 생물학전공)대학입시 SAT/ACT/AP 학원을 운영하였으며, 현재는 SAT/ACT수업,  대학 컬리지에세이, 거기에따른 대학입학컬리지 어드미션의 관한모든것을 전문적으로 하고있는 데이빗 리 라고 합니다. 제 정보에 대해선 게시판의 구인구직란의 과외/레슨에서 제 아이디Teacher David로 검색하시면 저에대한 프로필이 소개되어 있읍니다

이번에 제 모교인 시카고대학교에선 SAT, ACT의 시험성적을 의무적으로 제출하지않도록 규정하여 큰 이슈가 되고있는데요,,여기에따른 문제점과 의견들이 상당히 엇갈이고 있읍니다. 앞으로 얼마나 더 많은 대학교에서 이같은 제도를 실행할진 알수없으나 중고등학생의 자녀를 두신 학부모님이시라면 꼭 아셔야할 사항들이라고 생각되어 여기 게시판에 변화된 입시제도와 거기에따른 제 생각을 올립니다.

혹시 영어가 불편하신 분들은 구글통역기를 한국어로 변환하여 읽으시면 좋을것 같읍니다

Two pieces of news came out in June almost simultaneously that has significant importance for our Korean-American community: University of Chicago’s admission starting this 2018-19 cycle became test-optional and Harvard in its application process rated Asian American applicants lower on personality traits.

As a Korean-American born in the United States in the 70’s, graduated from the University of Chicago in the 90’s and involved in the education field since the 2000’s, I recognized immediately their meaning. Elite universities discriminate against academically ambitious Asian American student and unless our Korean-American families rethink the college admissions process, it will get worse.

I will not go over the details about the two news items. The JoongAng Daily (link), the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/15/us/harvard-asian-enrollment-applicants.html) and Univetsity of Chicago’s website (https://news.uchicago.edu/story/uchicago-launches-test-optional-admissions-process-expanded-financial-aid-scholarships) do the job. Also, this article is not a historical-social-political analysis of the problem nor my sermon on the legal and moral questions surrounding this issue. It is a sharing of strategies and hacks to improve your child’s chances of getting into the college of their dreams.

Standardized tests - SAT, ACT, AP, etc. - are still important, but those tests are losing importance in the admissions to schools like the Ivies. Test optional means a test score is not required. Scores may still be submitted, and high scores have many strong advantages. Therefore, your child should plan out what score is needed and the time and effort needed for that score, realistically. Taking the SAT Test five times to raise one’s score 250-300 points is not good nor is taking 23+ full-length timed practice test. Quick tip - don’t take the SAT or ACT test more than three times or don’t take each test more than twice if taking both tests.

The Future: GPA, Soft Work, Personality

GPA. Your children should take the hardest classes in their core subjects that doesn’t kill them. Doesn’t kill them means on average sleeping at least six hours Sunday to Thursday and their unweighted GPA improves or maintains. Quick tip - Online classes can open up class schedule and improve GPA.

Soft Work. I have been talking about this for close to eight years - on radio interviews, articles, blog posts, radio interview, conferences with parents, presentations to Korean PTA’s and churches. Developing relationships with the high school teachers and counselors and the universities themselves is vital. Quick Tip - Use social media to connect with dream colleges.

Personality. There is controversy around college admissions because in large part the criterias used in evaluations are not transparent. The universities explain that they use a holistic process to see the whole person, making it sound more like a art than a system. The fact is Harvard has a system of evaluating which uses such standards as “positive personality,” “likability” and “kindness” are used, and the admissions office gives [Asian-Americans] the worst scores of any racial group, often without even meeting them.” Yes, as you know our children - who study hard, play musical instruments, make art, go on mission trips, work at the family business, sing songs in Korean and English, get into trouble and get out out trouble - lack positive personalities, likability and kindness. Hmmmm.

At present the most practical advice is to have your child’s application, college essays, letters of recommendation and interviews have concrete examples showing his/her most “desirable” traits. Quick Tip - Reading a  personal statement essay out loud to an adult who is not the parent and getting feedback will be helpful.

The truth is college admissions to the “top” schools is against having more Asian-American admitted. Even if right choices are made and executed perfectly, the chances for admittance are lower and we are fighting each other for the same spot. Maybe another conversation is needed, What is the best dream school for my child?"