Pitt must be clear on SAT scores

Every year, high school seniors from around the country scramble to apply to colleges and… Every year, high school seniors from around the country scramble to apply to colleges and universities, hoping to be accepted by the best school they can find. In response, American institutions are constantly striving to improve and become as attractive as possible to potential students. This annual process is important, and administrators should always be held under a public microscope to ensure they don’t cut any corners during the competition for the best students.

On Sept. 8, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran a story detailing some inconsistencies in Pitt’s method for tallying the SAT scores of incoming first-year students. The story documents Pitt’s practice of excluding the scores of students who were accepted under the category of “special access.” This group includes athletes and students who are members of “underrepresented populations.”

The administrators grew defensive in response, stating that they exclude only the scores of students accepted under criteria other than academic achievement. This year, 10 percent of freshmen – 305 students – fell under that category and were not counted.

But whether the University’s actions stem from innocuous motives or not, the attention it received from the Post-Gazette is warranted. On the surface, this appears to be an open and shut case – Pitt is excluding test scores, and the average is higher as a result. But Pitt Vice Provost Robert Pack was quick to point out that the difference between the two figures – merely 19 points – is too insubstantial to change a student’s mind about going to Pitt.

It’s probably true that most potential students won’t care if Pitt’s SAT average is 1220 instead of 1201. It’s also probably true that the University isn’t trying to be dishonest. But in either case, it would be very beneficial to everyone involved if the Pitt administration would be totally clear on this subject. Both scores – with and without special access students – should be quoted to potential students. But if one must be chosen, it should be the lower one that represents the entire class.

If Pack and the rest of the Pitt administrators really believe that the markup is frivolous, they should do away with it completely and be rid of any suspicion as well.