The Dirty Truth About Test-Optional College Policies

Dear Parents Who Actually Care,

I'm about to make some college admissions officers really mad.

And probably piss off a few "progressive" education consultants too.

But I've been biting my tongue for too long...

And it's time someone told you the TRUTH about these "test-optional" policies.

Because your kid is getting played.

And as someone who's helped hundreds of families navigate this college admissions circus...

I'm watching too many smart parents fall for what I call "The Great Test-Optional Scam."

Quick story:

Last week, I met with Jennifer, a mom whose daughter is a junior.

Smart kid. Good grades. Active in theater.

Jennifer was THRILLED that colleges had gone "test-optional."

Her exact words?

"Thank God. Now Sarah doesn't have to stress about the SAT!"

Then I showed her the REAL admission numbers.

Her face dropped faster than my ex's credit score.

Because here's what these colleges aren't telling you:

Even at "test-optional" schools...

Students who submit strong test scores are getting accepted at rates 2-3 TIMES HIGHER than those who don't.

But that's just the beginning of this mess.

Let me break down what's REALLY happening...

And why it should piss you off:

Colleges are running a rankings hustle.

When schools make test scores "optional", they create a perfect storm of BS.

Only students with GOOD scores submit them.

Which magically raises the school's average test scores...

Applications EXPLODE because everyone thinks they have a shot.

Which lets schools reject more kids and appear "selective"...

It's like a dating app that only lets attractive people post photos.

Sure, they can claim "photos are optional!"

But we all know what's really going on.

But wait... it gets worse.

Because there's another MAJOR detail these schools aren't telling you:

"Test-Optional" is NOT the same as "Test-Blind."

Let me repeat that for the people in the back:

TEST-OPTIONAL ≠ TEST-BLIND

Here's what that means in plain English:

Even if a school says they're "test-optional"...

They're still LOOKING at test scores when students submit them.

They're still CONSIDERING test scores in their decisions.

They're still FACTORING test scores into merit scholarships.

They just won't REQUIRE them.

It's like a job application that says "salary requirements optional."

Sure, you don't HAVE to put a number...

But if someone else does...

And it's a good number...

Guess who has the advantage?

This is why test-optional policies are such a brilliant move for colleges:

• They get praised for being "progressive"
• Their average test scores go UP
• They can still favor students with good scores
• And best of all? They take ZERO blame when kids without scores get rejected

It's basically the college admissions version of "plausible deniability."

"Oh, we didn't reject you because you didn't submit scores... we just found other applications more compelling!"

(Yeah, the ones WITH test scores. 🙄)

And guess what?

The test-optional party is already ending.

Major universities are sobering up from their test-optional bender.

MIT? Back to requiring tests.

Georgia Tech? Same deal.

Purdue? You betcha.

Why?

Because they found something SHOCKING:

Students who submitted test scores performed way better in college!

Pretends to be surprised

But here's what keeps me up at night...

What happens when your child wants to transfer schools?

Or apply to grad school?

Or interview at Goldman Sachs?

Because those places?

They don't give two shits about your kid's position as Secretary of the Anime Club.

(Sorry, not sorry.)

They want objective measures of ability.

Want to know who REALLY gets screwed by test-optional policies?

Transfer students.

Adult learners.

First-generation college students.

Anyone without a fancy private school resume.

You know... the exact people these policies were SUPPOSED to help.

Because now instead of having an objective way to prove their abilities...

They're stuck in a subjective system where "institutional fit" matters more than actual merit.

(Translation: "Does this applicant remind me of myself when I was young?")

Oh, and here's another fun fact:

Colleges are bleeding money.

Enrollment is dropping.

And you know what they CAN'T afford anymore?

Massive admissions teams reading 50,000 applications for "holistic review."

Guess what's cheaper than hiring 20 new admissions officers?

Standardized testing.

So here's what smart parents are doing:

They're not leaving their kid's future up to chance.

Or Twitter trends.

Or whatever the current administration thinks is "fair."

They're taking control of the process.

And they're investing in PROPER test preparation.

Here's another truth bomb:

Those budget test prep solutions?

They're like trying to learn surgery from YouTube.

Sure, the information might be "out there"...

But good luck putting it all together correctly.

That's why serious families invest in professional test preparation.

Because they understand the ROI:

More college options.

Better scholarship money.

Stronger grad school applications.

Clear career advantages.

And when you're already planning to spend 200K+ on college...

Professional test prep is a rounding error.

(One that could literally determine where your child spends the next 4 years of their life.)

Look...

I could easily just tell parents what they want to hear.

"Oh yes, tests don't matter anymore! Everything is wonderful!"

It would probably be better for business.

But I've been in this game too long to play that way.

I've watched too many families make decisions based on wishes instead of reality.

And I refuse to be part of that problem.

That's why my practice is different:

I tell you what you NEED to hear, not what you WANT to hear.

(But I do it because I actually give a damn about your kid's future.)

I provide PROVEN strategies, not empty encouragement.

(Including professional test prep that actually works.)

I focus on LONG-TERM success.

(Not just getting IN to college, but crushing it once they're there.)

Here's the deal:

I work with a limited number of families who are serious about their children's college success.

This isn't some mass-market "college counseling" BS where I tell you sweet lies and cash your check.

My comprehensive program includes:

Professional test preparation that actually works.

Strategic application planning.

School selection guidance based on REAL data.

Essay development that stands out.

Interview prep that isn't cookie-cutter garbage.

And a whole lot more.

But fair warning:

I only work with families who are:

Ready to hear the truth about college admissions.

Willing to invest in their child's future.

Serious about getting results.

Because unlike these degree mills pushing "test-optional" fantasies...

I actually give a damn about outcomes.

Ready to cut through the BS?

⇒ Click here to tell me about your situation

(Takes 2 minutes. Could save you years of regret.)

One last truth bomb:

The college admissions game is about to get MORE competitive.

Not less.

The families who prepare for this reality NOW...

Will be laughing at everyone else LATER.

So the question is:

Will your family be ready?

Or will you be posting angry comments on College Counselor Confidential about how "unfair" everything is?

Your choice.

⇒ Fill out this quick form to learn how we can help

To a future worth fighting for,
Kristina

P.S. My client roster fills up fast, especially during peak admission seasons. If you're serious about working together, don't wait.

P.P.S. Feel free to forward this to other parents who need a reality check. They might not thank you now... but they will later.