6
Campus Editorial
GRAD SCHOOL:
The evils of the
standardized test
Q Even if a
student has a solid
academic record...a
score on one test may
keep her out of the
graduate school of
her choice.
JONi Smith
Managing Editor
The end of the school year is
quickly approaching, leaving
many students to wonder
where they will be after May.
For a number of students,
plans after May include
graduate school, and with
graduate school comes the
headache of taking
standardized tests.
The LSAT, MCAT, GRE and
GMAT are just some of the
standardized tests that students
worry about, study for and
ultimately despise.
My biggest gripe about
standardized testing is that
graduate and professional
schools weigh them so heavily
in admissions decisions.
That means that one test on
one measly day can make you
or break you in the minds of
admissions officers. Even if a
student has a solid academic
record, worthy extracurricular
activities, impressive recom
mendation letters and has
exhibited admirable leadership
skills—a score on one test may
keep her out of the graduate
school of their choice.
My next gripe about stan
dardized tests is the material
covered in them.
Why should an English or
history major be expected to
know calculus?
On the other hand, why
should a chemistry or math
major be expected to know
what a diatribe is?
1 understand the theory
behind standardized tests:
grades are relative to the insti
tution; an A at one school may
not be comparable to an A at
another. Standardized tests are
a way to put everyone on a
level playing field so that they
can be judged by a common
variable.
However, if standardized
tests are needed, then why
can’t, for example, math
majors take a standardized test
that deals with malh, not
analogies. After all, math is
what they are best at, and it is
the field they plan to pursue in
graduate school.
Since standardized tests
have been required for admis
sion into graduate schools for
some time, it is unlikely that
they will be looked upon as
unnecessary any time soon.
In the mean time, students
will have to continue to spend
thousands of dollars on Kaplan
courses in hopes of doing well
in a subject area that they have
not taken a coufse in since
their freshman year.
Do you think ^rad
schools .should nix
s(iindurdi/cd tests?
.loni Smith vvunts to
know , Send her an
email at
smith jo^'mcredith.cd II
Tlxe
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□ As students rep
resenting Meredith
College, we must be
‘above reproach,’
says reader.
Dear Editor,
Despite the flaws of this
institution, it becomes more
and more evident to me each
day as to why Meredith
College has been esteemed as •
such a respectable
and noteworthy college.
When I tell
others that 1
attend Meredith
College, I can’t
help but to be
proud of the
high standards
of excellence that
this school
upholds in
academics and its
reputation for
being a school
that teaches gen-
erations of
women who
become success
ful both in and out of the work
force.
Since Saturday afternoon I
have felt a bit of my pride and
respect for this school vanish.
As a volunteer for the
Experience Meredith visitation
day for prospective students. I
had the opportunity to
participate in the Activities’
Fair where students and their
parents came to learn more
about the organizations that
Meredith has to offer.
While 1 judged
The Campus I'orum
Activities Fair to have been a
success based on the number
of people attending, I was
appalled to witness the
blatant displays of lesbian
affection taking place at the
Spectrum table.
Before you consider me to
be discriminatory, may 1 give
a disclaimer: As a student
who has served on SGA
Senate here at Meredith for
the past two years. I feel that
any organization, regardless,
has a right to be recognized
as part of the Meredith
community, provided that
there is student interest and
cannot think of a public place where
it would be appropriate for a young
man and a young woman to be
engaging in suggestive sexual activity
(particularly laying on the ground
together one on top of the other with
their hips locked).”
the
support for the organization,
that there are initiators
making the proposal for the
organization and, most of all,
that the organization will
enhance the Meredith
community.
It is not my intention to
attack the Spectrum
organization in any way,
although I disagree with
many of the fundamental
principles of the club.
I am more concerned for
the image of Meredith that
was portrayed to those
parents and prospective
students as they witnessed the
two girls kissing and the other
girls who were also
representing that organization
rolling around on the ground
with one straddling the other.
I cannot think of a public
place where it would be
appropriate for a young man
and a young woman to be
engaging in suggestive sexual
activity (particularly laying on
the ground together one on top
of the other with their hips
locked).
Therefore, what makes it
O.K. for two women to be
so publicly
distasteful?
If Mered
ith College
intends to
maintain its
reputation as
a respectable
institution
then those
representing
clubs and
organiza-
tions that
ultimately
are a branch
of this
school, need to be above
reproach and use discretion and
tasteful judgment before acting
in ways that would offend both
students as well as guests to
this community.
Sincerely,
Jillian Southerland
Class of 2004