What's New in Higher Education & Admissions?

The University of California system is facing a lawsuit unless they eliminate their ACT or SAT requirement for admission. Back in October, the University of California was threatened with a lawsuit unless it drops its standardized test requirement. Lawyers representing the Compton Unified School district, college-access organizations, civil-rights groups, and students sent a letter to the UC system’s Board of Regents, stating that the ACT/SAT requirement violates civil rights laws in the state of California. The argument is that well-qualified students are being discriminated against, particularly underrepresented minority students, students whose first language is not English, students who have disabilities, and students from a lower socioeconomic status. If the UC system decides to drop the test requirement, many other institutions may choose to do the same, with massive impacts on ACT and the College Board. Check out the Chronicle of Higher Education for more information.

 

After a months-long decision process, a judge ruled in October that Harvard University’s race-conscious admission process does not discriminate against Asian American students. In the fall of 2018, a student group called Students for Fair Admissions filed suit against Harvard University, claiming that the institution discriminated against Asian students in its admission process. The court did not find evidence of any individual applicants who were discriminated against or intentionally stereotyped in the admissions process. The ruling allowed Harvard’s race-conscious admission process to continue. Ultimately, the court ruled that “For purposes of this case, ensuring diversity at Harvard relies, in part, on race-conscious admissions.” For more information, check out the Chronicle of Higher Education.

 

The ACT will allow students to retake individual test sections. Some colleges and universities will accept these individual test section retakes and will offer a super-score. Other are choosing not to. For more information, check out this article from US News & World Report or the press release from ACT.

 

Students mistakenly worried that they would be eligible for the draft after completing the FAFSA form. “FAFSA” was trending on Twitter earlier this month, when students mistakenly worried that by filing the form to qualify for federal aid and student loans, that they were signing up for the draft. According to NASFAA, these concerns are false. Males in the US must register for the Selective Service upon turning 18, regardless of whether they fill out the FAFSA. Failing to register for Selective Service is a felony, and men who fail to comply may be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned for up to five years. However, the US has not used the draft since the Vietnam War in 1973. Karen McCarthy, executive board member for NASFAA, reassured students that, “Filling out a FAFSA doesn’t register anybody for selective service.” For more information visit the NASFAA website.

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