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The University of Pennsylvania on Thursday announced changes in its policies on admissions tests. One change is that Penn will recommend two SAT subject tests of all applicants (with specific recommendations on those tests for applicants to some programs). Up until now, Penn required the SAT subject tests only of those applicants who submitted scores on the SAT. Now they will be recommended for those who submit ACT scores as well.
In another change, Penn will no longer require the essay portion of the writing tests of the SAT or ACT.
A statement from Eric Furda, dean of admissions, said that "our internal analysis as well as a review of the extensive research provided by the College Board showed that the essay component of the SAT was the least predictive element of the overall writing section of the SAT. Given the impending redesign of the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT, which will make the essay portion of the assessment optional, we could no longer support requiring the essay portion of either exam given its weaker predictive power.”
Furda stressed that Penn would continue to focus on applicants' writing abilities, but would use other ways to do so.
