What Are the New Changes to the SAT?

The SAT, a college admissions exam long associated with paper and pencil, will soon go all-digital. Starting in 2023 for international students and in 2024 in the U.S., the new digital SAT will shrink from three hours to two, include shorter reading passages and allow students to use a calculator on the math section.

According to a New York Times article (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/us/sat-test-digital.html), the official College Board is trying to retool the exam that has stressed out millions of students in the face of questions about whether college admissions tests are fair, or even necessary.

The article went on to say, “A growing number of colleges have eliminated the requirement that applicants submit scores from the SAT or the competing ACT, and the trend of “test-optional” admissions accelerated greatly during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 1,800 schools did not require standardized test scores for 2022 admissions, according to the nonprofit organization FairTest,”.

Do community colleges need SAT scores?

Most community colleges do not require SAT scores because they have open admissions. This means that the only criterion for admission is that the applicants have a high school diploma or an equivalent, like a GED certificate. However, some programs offered by community colleges are selective and with limited enrollment, too.

For example, certain culinary programs require a “try-out” of sorts before being fully accepted into their program. But what about experience requirements?

Do you need experience for culinary school?

While many culinary school students do have some experience or cooking knowledge, they’re not generally a requirement for admissions at most community colleges.

Although it is not recommended and is said to be a difficult path to take, some famous chefs have not completed any formal culinary education.  Instead, they may have started out apprenticing directly under a chef they admire. However, a majority of executive chefs have completed formal schooling in various types of cuisine because it is there that they can learn everything from the basics of cooking to the science of gastronomy.

A culinary arts degree not only provides the essential classical training, but it also gives a perspective view into the food industry and its managerial abilities.

According to the US Department of Labor in 2021, forty-four percent of chefs and cooks have an associate degree, twenty-two percent have a post-secondary certificate and eleven percent have a high-school diploma or equivalent.

What qualifications do you need for culinary school?

Although there is no need for experience at most community colleges, there are quite a few at one particular culinary school in Michigan.  For example, here are their requirements:

The Culinary Arts Program requires an application and to be admitted to the program the student must complete the following:

• Apply

• Transcripts

• Academic Advising and Assessment

• Students should have placement scores (Computer Placement Test, ACT, or SAT) submitted prior to meeting with an academic advisor.

Students with prior college-level work or a degree may be exempt from placement testing. The Computer Placement Test (CPT) is taken in the Testing Center. ACT or SAT scores must be less than three years old.

• Obtain a CUL 103 Permit

• College Prerequisite Coursework – CUL 103

• Complete CUL 103 – Introduction to Professional Cooking Skills and Technique with a grade of 2.5 or better

• Obtain Sanitation Certificate

• Submit proof of a valid ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate earned within the last five years to the Admissions and Welcome Center prior to applying to the Culinary Arts Program. Students may prepare to complete this requirement by taking Schoolcraft’s CUL 102 Culinary Sanitation course, Continuing Education class or other opportunities outside of Schoolcraft (Michigan Restaurant Association).

• Cumulative GPA Attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all Schoolcraft College courses.

• Apply to Culinary Arts Program

• Meet with an Academic Advisor to complete the attached Culinary Arts Program Restricted Enrollment Program Change Form. Depending on the openings in the program, students may be able to enroll into the program upon completion of the Program Change Form.

• Enrollment Requirements

• Once accepted to the program, you will receive information from the Culinary Arts department regarding which rotation you will be assigned. It is recommend that you meet with an academic advisor prior to discuss your overall educational plan.

• Attendance Policy

Culinary Arts classes are designed to provide students with the necessary time to successfully complete competencies. Students are expected to attend and arrive on time for all scheduled classes.

Which culinary school is considered the best?

Top Five Culinary Schools in the U.S.

1. Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park
2. Institute of Culinary Education
3. Johnson and Wales University
4. Metropolitan Community College: Omaha, Nebraska
5. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Best Culinary Schools Michigan

• Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College
• The Culinary Institute of Michigan at Baker College Muskegon
• Henry Ford College Dearborn
• Schoolcraft College Livonia
• Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City
• Culinary Studies Institute at Oakland Community College Farmington Hills
• Macomb Community College Clinton Township
• Dorsey Culinary Academy Roseville
• Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor
• Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti

What Are the New Changes to the SAT?

In Michigan, the majority of colleges and universities have announced plans to not require SAT or ACT scores for students applying to college for admission. Scores are required for students who want to be considered for merit-based scholarships.

A related bill that also would de-emphasize SAT scores passed the Michigan Senate. Sponsored by state Rep. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, the measure responds to obstacles students faced in scheduling testing during the pandemic.

Under Anthony’s bill, grades, not SAT scores, will determine 2020 and 2021 graduates’ eligibility for Michigan Competitive Scholarships.

The scholarship program provides up to $1,000 per year to students who demonstrate financial need and strong academic performance. Until now, the academic benchmark was a 1200 out of 1600 on the SAT. Nationally, 26 percent of students scored above 1200 last year, according to the College Board, which administers the test.

Anthony’s bill directs the Department of Treasury to decide on a new measure, such as grade point average.

The change could increase the number of eligible students, potentially raising the cost of the $29.9 million program, according to a Senate fiscal analysis. The analysis does not predict how many more students could become eligible.

“We had students across Michigan who – for no fault of their own – were not able to take the SAT,” Anthony said. “Many of the kids who would qualify for these scholarships really do need it. This could make all the difference for them.”