Well-Rounded Students Trump Superstars
by Margo Bartsch
February 11, 2010, page 10

The CVU 2009 graduating class posted higher SAT scores than both the Vermont and national averages. So, how do the standardized test scores fit into the overall college admissions process? Last month’s webcast sponsored by “WSJ on Campus from the Wall Street Journal” discussed the topic, “Is it better to be a superstar or well-rounded?” More than ten colleges, including UVM, Princeton and Williams, all agreed that being well rounded was critical in their role of building campus communities. However, they concurred that superstars continue to shine, as long as their prevailing characteristics of determination and teamwork are demonstrated throughout high school. Even superstars need to be well-rounded, which includes having standardized test scores match up to their classroom performances.
The 2008-09 SAT results for CVU, which can be found in the 2008-09 School Report Final at cssu.org, include reading: 551 CVU, 519 Vermont, 502 U.S.; writing: 543 CVU, 507 Vermont, 494 U.S.; and math: 557 CVU, 523 Vermont, 515 U.S. The SATs and ACTs are measurement tools that help explain the well-roundedness of each college applicant. Collectively, standardized tests, grades, activities and recommendations all “paint a mosaic of the applicant,” according to the forum of admissions officers. The test score not only represents how well the student performed both individually and compared to his or her national peers, but also plays an important factor in the well-roundedness of the applicant. Being prepared for the SAT and ACT is a critical part in the college admissions process. The remaining SAT tests this year are scheduled for March 13, May 1 and June 5. The next ACT tests are offered on April 10 and June 12. Although the SAT and ACT are structured differently, both tests have a scored essay section. When students develop a list of colleges to consider, standardized scores help predict choices that are realistically within reach and others that are worth striving for.
Both the SAT and ACT are three hours and forty-five minutes long. The SAT has expanded to include three sections: math, reading and writing. All are equally weighted at 800 points with 2400 being a perfect score. The ACT has five subjects: essay, math, reading, English and science with 36 points on each section.
The SAT writing section is the first part of the test and can boost the student’s confidence for the remainder of the test or get the student off on the wrong foot. The ACT essay is at the end of the test. For both tests, the student is asked to write an essay in 25 minutes about a quote or “prompt” followed by a question that asks the student to take a position on the statement. There is not a right or wrong answer; rather, structure and content are rewarded by demonstrating clear thinking. Thus, preparing for the essay section can help students improve their final scores.
In my past five years of helping students with the college application process I have worked with superstars: athletes, scholars and great test takers. Each student brings distinguishing characteristics to the application; however, I have seen how superstars need to be well-rounded based on their overall application. Together each piece of the puzzle creates a conversation between the applicant and the admissions officer.

Margo Bartsch is the founder of College Essay Coach, located in the Shelburne Creamery. This is her sixth year in providing one-on-one instruction to prepare for the SAT and ACT writing sections and to provide a process in writing college application essays. Margo can be reached at 985-3770 or at mbartsch@collegeessaycoach.com.