An article forthcoming in the National Crosstalk reports that a University of California faculty committee has recently censured the National Merit Scholarship's dependence on PSAT scores.
The report finds that the program discriminates against minority applicants and students from low-income families who, on average, score considerably worse on standardized tests than do their white, Asian-American and wealthier peers.
"The scores on the SAT have a lot to do with the person's economic status, and that is going to have an enormous impact on poor students, black or white," African-American Affairs Dean M. Rick Turner said.
National Merit finalists and semifinalists are rewarded for strong performance on the PSAT with merit-based scholarships to attend select schools. The program harms minority students because many often are unable to afford the exams or enroll in prep courses, Turner said.
"Statistics have shown historically that those children who are better off economically have the highest test scores," Turner said. "Financial aid is predicated upon need, and the SAT and PSAT should also be predicated on need. Those needy students should be able to take it as many times as they can."
Standardized test scores are one of several variables taken into consideration in the U.Va. admissions process, Assistant Dean for Arts & Science William Wilson said.
"Standardized test scores are all part of a package for judging students on merit," Wilson said.
The University presently is not considering amending its use of PSAT scores in determining merit-based scholarships.
Dean of Admissions Jack Blackburn noted that most merit-based scholarships go to middle-class students.
"Our focus is on need," Blackburn said.
The University recently has taken steps to broaden its financial aid, Blackburn said.
"Last March, the Board of Visitors approved AccessUVa under which we are seeking low-income students who can be competitive here at U.Va.," Blackburn said. "Of course, to be admitted to the University, students must be very strong academically."
Turner said AccessUVa will increase the University's commitment to educate students from various backgrounds and increase diversity on Grounds.
"We know that the diverse population at the University is a major criteria to the education of all students," Turner said. "I think it will have a major impact on the recruitment, retention and graduation of students and particularly on African-American students as financial aid will be one issue that they don't have to worry about."
Although the University is not slated to increase its current pool of merit-based scholarships, administrators said the University is content with the current policy. Blackburn said applications grew by 700 from last year, and he estimated the class of 2009 to be the strongest in University history.
"Our feeling is that we have a very talented student body," Blackburn said. "We are cited as the first or second best among the publics."
The University's focus on need-based aid enables it to attract low-income students and increase diversity on Grounds, Turner said.
"The University of Virginia, probably more so than other institutions, embraces diversity not only in students but in faculty and staff," Turner said.
While the University is unlikely to increase merit-based aid in the near future, there are many scholarships available to matriculated students.
"Once students are here, we judge merit-based scholarships on work completed here," Wilson said. "At that point, SAT scores play no role."
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