{"id":762,"date":"2016-04-25T10:22:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-25T14:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/urbaned\/?p=762"},"modified":"2016-05-09T10:01:32","modified_gmt":"2016-05-09T14:01:32","slug":"cara-and-briana-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/commons.trincoll.edu\/urbaned\/2016\/04\/25\/cara-and-briana-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative Predictors of Student Success Testing Project"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Source:<\/a>
Source: Trinity College<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Explaining the Test Optional Policy & What it Means for Students:<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n

In 2015, Trinity College developed a test-optional policy that allows application readers to get to know the applicant well beyond just their grades and test scores.This change in policy stemmed from growing research in the area of non-cognitive skills, which leads us to believe that there are <\/span>alternative factors<\/span><\/em>, besides just standardized test scores, class rank, grades, and essays, that are essential to understanding potential student success in college and later in life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The policy allows the admissions committee to truly look at and understand <\/span>transcripts, recommendation letters, leadership positions, work history, involvement in school and community activities, and other appropriate predictors of success at Trinity College. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This test optional policy may, at first, seem confusing for students who are trying to understand what exactly the admissions committee is looking for. However, the policy enforces that the admissions committee will look at the student as a whole and not just as a test score. Students are presented the opportunity to present information about themselves that more accurately illustrates their diverse academic talents and potential. <\/span><\/p>\n

What We Look At To Understand Academic Achievement:<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n
    \n
  • High School Grades – based on students\u2019 transcripts<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Academic Coursework & Rigor<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Recommendation Letters from Teachers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    *Students are encouraged to submit their SAT or ACT score <\/span>only if<\/strong><\/em> the student feels that those scores best represent their academic ability and potential. <\/span>T<\/span>he<\/span> admissions committee does not make any assumptions as to why some students choose not to submit scores.<\/span><\/em> Students will not be penalized for not submitting test scores. <\/span><\/i>All students are given equal consideration in the admission process. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    What We Look At To Understand The Student <\/b>Beyond<\/i><\/b> Academics:<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n
      \n
    • Students\u2019 Personal Essays<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Recommendation Letters<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Involvement in School and Community Activities <\/span><\/li>\n
    • Leadership Positions<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Counselor Surveys – Counselors are asked to highlight characteristics they see in their students that could help us make more informed decisions<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Work History<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Trinity College\u2019s admissions is excited to be able to better understand and get to know applicants by placing a stronger emphasis on these factors and pieces of students\u2019 applications. Our admissions committee looks for students that will not only be successful in Trinity\u2019s academic environment, but who also <\/span>possess attributes such as, but not limited to, curiosity, optimism, persistence, grit, and creativity<\/strong>. Research demonstrates that these attributes along with grades and academic rigor are strong indicators of success in college. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      Research: The following section is a collection of scholarly and secondary sources that has informed the college\u2019s decision to go test-optional and implement a holistic application evaluation process for all students. <\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

      Grit and Overcoming Adversity<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n

      Lead scholar, Angela Duckworth, a psychologist at The University of Pennsylvania and 2013 winner of the MacArthur \u201cgenius\u201d grant from Harvard, studies concepts such as self-control and grit and how they predict future success later in life. Her new book Grit: The power of Passion and Perseverance<\/em> explains her research on grit, which she defines as the ability to develop and sustain passion and commitment to achieve long-term goals, and goes in depth on stories and philosophies of people she calls \u201cparagons of grit\u201d including the Seattle Seahawks, West Point Cadets, and successful business leaders. She uses these stories to prove the importance of developing grit in students at a young age. Her Ted Talk below and subsequent research describe her work in detail. For your convince, we have outlined key points in both her research and new book, as well as common misconceptions that we hope will are clarified.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

      The Key to Success? Grit- Angela Lee Duckworth<\/span><\/h1>\n