Fall 2021
Features
The Voyager 5
College test-optional policies challenge applicants
other students and receive scholarship awards. Now, however, the once critical tests that teens around the country once bit down their nail beds for are no longer seen as the #1 priority in the application process. tandardized tests are not for everyone. On the other hand, so many students can easily say Well, actually they’re for everyone, but you they’re relieved. A large percentage of applicants know what I mean. don’t have the resources to take these standardized The pandemic has practically upended the tests multiple times to achieve the most impressive college entrance exam industry, making a scores. number of colleges shift to the test-optional policy. Most admission offices did agree that test-optional This year, a staggering 75 percent of four-year colpolicies would make their institutions more open to leges and universities will not require SAT or ACT lower income and underrepresented students. This scores for the 2021-22 admissions cycle. Before, looks like good news, sure, but it worries many colmany colleges and universities were forced to suslege officials about student success since it’s harder to pend the requirement for these tests due to limited predict student success outcomes without being able testing ability in 2020 because of Covid-19, but many to evaluate their standardized test scores. of these schools have now decided to extend this polGoing test-optional may be an easy way to claim icy, with some of them possibly making the switch equal opportunities for all permanent schoolwide. student admissions, but unTop educational institutions fortunately socioeconomic in the country, like the Ivy The test-optional policy status influences all eleLeague Universities, adopted ments of college admissions, made it so that these temporary test-optional polischools’ applications were not just test-scores. cies, and the vast majority For example, a Stanford have still kept them for this frenzied with students study found that admissions upcoming cycle. Most of officers respond more favorthe time, higher education taking their shot at schools ably to essays by students institutions like the Ivies are they never thought from wealthier households. a case of follow-the-leader, they’d get accepted to. The numbers tell the story as so when all of the universidata shows that Georgetown ties in the Ivy League anonly admitted 7.34% of earnounced they wouldn’t rely applicants that didn’t have quire test scores within the test scores. same month of each other, it wasn’t a surprise. This So, their appearances don’t exactly translate into same pattern also occurred with nationally ranked libmeaningful change in the admissions process making eral arts schools like Williams College and Amherst “optional” feel more like “preferred.” If colleges were College. truly committed to being as unbiased as possible in The test-optional policy made it so that these the admissions process, they would want to adopt a schools’ applications were frenzied with students tak“test-blind” policy and not look at test scores at all. ing their shot at schools they never thought they’d get After all this information you’re probably thinking: accepted to. what now? Schools like Columbia’s applications were up by as Well, what I’ll advise you to do is to prepare for and much as 51% in the past year. It also created a record take said standardized tests, just like how you would low acceptance rate for many institutions, especially if it were actually required for all colleges. You never the Ivies, making it seem more intimidating for stuknow; if you go into the test with no expectations, you dents to apply in the upcoming years. could surprise yourself. For many students across the country, these standardNot only that, but now colleges have indicated there ized tests were a way for them to stand out amongst
By LAURA SILENZIO ‘23 Opinion Editor
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Students open their SAT test booklet to find an overwhelming layout of answer bubbles found in the depths of their worst nightmares. is a much heavier reliance on high school transcripts and grade-point average, meaning it’s more important than ever to get your GPA as high as possible. Your high school performance will show your work ethic. It’s also important you do as many clubs that you are interested in, so the school can see your passions and how much you’re willing to commit to it. You also don’t want to spread yourself out too thin; if you’re thinking of adding multiple things to your plate, think of how this may affect your other commitments. Remember, it’s mostly about quality not quantity. With all that being said, say you do poorly on the SAT or ACT and sending in your scores would most likely be worse than not, you are able to opt out of sending your test scores to specific colleges. Though, it is very important to evaluate the places you’re applying to vs. your scores, and if your extra-
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curriculars and GPA can compensate for the scores you’re not sending. Plus, colleges are still encouraging students to submit their scores, especially if they already have them, making it clear that they do value these scores in some sort of capacity. This begs the question, “How much is this policy really helping us as students?” There’s the obvious conclusion that you wouldn’t feel obligated to take the SATs, but it’s difficult to truly know how your choice affects the way they decide for your application. When you look back after being rejected, you’d have to wonder if sending your test scores could’ve gotten you accepted. At least, that would be my overthinking brain, but to each their own.
Investments for Dummies 101: think ‘diversified’ By TIANA CYRELSON ‘22 Media Editor
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or new investors, the stock market can be scary. It can be challenging to know which stocks to invest in, which to drop, and when to do all of it. Mr. Sherman teaches a full-year investment course for students interested in learning and covering taxes to day trading. As Eastern’s only Investments teacher, Mr. Sherman was asked which stocks he is investing in currently, and which ones he would recommend. While Mr. Sherman may be the Investments teacher, these stock suggestions are for informational purposes only. One of the first lessons in Sherman’s class is that each investor should do their own research and analysis before making any decisions. That being said, here is Sherman’s list of 5 recommended stocks. “This is a tough question to answer,” Sherman says, “because I have many Mr. Sherman, Eastern’s investments teacher, recommends a “diversified” portfolio of stocks for personal investment. Photo by Tiana Cyrelson ‘22, Canva.com different investment accounts, each with as his “Workhorse.” Sherman was lucky not for the faint of heart, as they are a very out again when it bounces back.” a different purpose. The fifth and final stock Sherman would Some are for retirement, others are for enough to get into Sherwin-Williams early, young company with volatile price swings. fun, and I even have an investment account about 13 years ago. The value was less than However, the payoff would be worth it if it recommend is Zoom. Although it has not been as successful since October 2020, that I manage for my daughter, who is one $20 a share and has had continual growth pans out.” since then, recently surpassing $700/share. The fourth company comes with a dis- Sherman believes that there is a potential year old.” Sherman recommends a diversified pro- In addition, it completed a 3-for-1 stock claimer from Sherman. “Let me start by need for more virtual learning with school file, complete with retirement savings: mu- split earlier this year. “This yielded me saying you should never invest more than starting back up. He also believes more companies will tual funds, index funds, and ETFs. Along three times my number of shares,” he said, you are willing to lose in any single investwith “fun” stocks: blue chip, growth, in- “and the stock has continued to grow, cur- ment, especially one as EXTREMELY purchase subscriptions to Zoom for their rently sitting just shy of $300.” RISKY as Dogecoin.” employees who are now working remotely. come, penny stocks, and crypto. The third is Athira Pharma, a clinicalDogecoin, different from Bitcoin, is riski- “I’m betting the stock bounces back over First on the list is Twitter. Sherman describes it as a “relatively safe investment stage therapeutics company developing er but will achieve more of a profit than the the next 12 months and settles in around with steady growth potential over two therapies for neurological diseases like other crypto coins. In addition, there is un- $350-400/share.” With each of these recommendations, years.” The stock keeps his portfolio mov- Alzheimer’s. Sherman calls it a “risky in- limited DOGE, so the “HODL” or “Hold ing in the right direction but doesn’t have vestment with ten times large growth po- On for Dear Life” aspect is less of a fac- Sherman recommends caution and pertor. In other words, the idea of “ignore the sonal research, but he encourages students particularly huge returns. “I don’t see my- tential.” He doesn’t expect to see a profit from this volatility and hold” is not applicable. Sher- to begin learning about investments, which self holding onto this stock for many more until January 2023, when data from clini- man says he doesn’t have a lot in DOGE, stands as a jumping-off point. years.” Next up is Sherwin-Williams, described cal trials come back. “This investment is but he’ll “jump back in when it dips and
