The Test Optional Tug-of-War

About the Episode: This episode of The Pulse dives deep into the evolving landscape of standardized testing in higher education, sparked by recent policy reversals at institutions like Dartmouth and Yale. Mallory and Seth discuss the implications of these changes, not just for admissions but also for marketing and recruitment strategies. The conversation covers the potential impact on student diversity, list buying challenges for marketers, and how institutions are navigating these uncertain waters.

Key Takeaways:

• Dartmouth's reversal on test-optional policies raises questions about the role of standardized testing in admissions, particularly for marginalized students.
• The shift towards test-optional and test-flexible policies among elite institutions might signal a broader trend, with significant implications for admissions strategies across higher education.
• The decline in SAT participation and the changing landscape of list buying present new challenges for higher ed marketers, necessitating innovative approaches to student recruitment.
• The importance of clear communication with prospective students about admissions requirements and the use of test scores in the decision-making process.
• The discussion extends to the broader impacts on marketing strategies, including the shift away from list buying towards digital marketing efforts and the need for institutions to adapt to these changes.

https://home.dartmouth.edu/sites/home/files/2024-02/sat-undergrad-admissions.pdf 

https://admissions.yale.edu/test-flexible 

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/dartmouth-and-yale-are-backtracking-on-test-optional-admissions-why-that-matters/2024/02 

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2024/02/26/no-emerging-consensus-standardized-test-policies 

https://podcasts.enrollify.org/talking-tactics/ep-1-maximize-your-prospect-data-with-a-two-step-rfi-process 

Dayana Kibild’s Viral LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7166088254771965953/ 

Connect With Our Co-Hosts:

Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/ 
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea 

Seth Odell 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/ 
https://twitter.com/sethodell 

About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. 

Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Mallory will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI. 

Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $99! This early bird pricing lasts until March 31. 

Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!