While I am no supporter of “holistic” admissions when used as a euphemism for lowering standards to admit low-achieving minorities, I do think the SAT II question is an important one in California. If you look at the SAT II language choices, you will see that Chinese, Korean, and Japanese are offered with listening. The huge advantage that native speakers of these languages have over the average native-born American has contributed to the skewed admissions results for Asians. While Spanish is also offered with listening (as are French and German) the Hispanic population has not mastered the test for a variety of reasons, and thus you will see no boost from a high SAT II score on admissions. Check out the UC formula and you will see how much of an advantage native speakers of foreign languages have.

I can also speak from experience that the standardized testing focus of many Asian families, with rigorous testing preparation beginning in elementary school, skews the results. My personal definition of holistic admissions would include a desire to admit involved, well-rounded students who participate in team sports, social and academic organizations, and performing arts while maintaining good grades. Holding a job while juggling all this would also be a plus. Perhaps you haven’t met families who focus exclusively on ultra-competitive standardized test scores, but the experience is a sad one–albeit at the opposite end of the spectrum from completely uninvolved families oblivious to the need for academic rigor and discipline.

Clearly a balance is needed. I wish I knew the answer.

Mary Dudasik

Nutley, NJ