01/02/2026
I would be remiss if I didn’t get this off my mind. Lately, I have seen and heard via tv news media and social media brain mush, the bashing of a college education and its value. As well as the importance of an SAT/ACT score. Our organization has helped students prepare for standardized tests and guide prospective college students to getting a four year degree. We are family owned and operated, I have been involved 7 days per week for over 35 years.
I run into past students at the gym, at WaWa, on air planes, essentially everywhere I go. Not one person greets me with “I am sorry I took the SAT/ACT.” Most hug me and say thank you. In fact, they are now sending their own children to College Bound and in some cases, grandchildren. I am extremely proud of this. So proud, confident and secure that I can say not everyone is college material. However, putting a black mark on the college admissions test is analogous to letting every 16 year old drive a car without a license. It’s ridiculous and dangerous. 20 years ago kids took the SAT, no complaints, non negotiable, no cajolery and parents were in the drivers seat. College was more affordable and most were very realistic. Not today, the kids call the shots: “I’m not taking the SAT, it’s optional, in fact I’m going to a “ football school” in warm weather.” Sad thing is in some cases he or she may get in. But will they stay in? In most cases the novelty wears off, the kid is back home the following year at a local college. Ole Miss took your tuition and now we are at stage one again. This is where I find the SAT valuable, outside of a strong indicator of academic and professional success. It shows me a kid is mature. To take a test seriously, map out a plan to attain a goal and hit that goal builds confidence- money in the bank for future challenges. Letting a student choose optional, just gives a typical teenager an out. This maturity signals to me that the kid can go to school in Florida, get to class, do their work, and do it well. He or she can gut it out through home sickness and FOMA. On a non football weekend the campus is empty, the out of state kid needs to find something to do. My advice-
a 1300 SAT / 30 ACT will survive the rigors of going more than 2 hours away to college. The rest are not ready yet. I say “yet” because all teenagers mature at different rates. I’ll never give up on anyone who is mature, hard working and realistic. I have parents ask me “what is the least competitive SEC school she can get into, not submitting scores? - she wants the college experience?” I know the right answer to give, one that many of fathers would have given. We all want the best for our kids but sometimes the word “no” works wonders.
I was blessed to have New Years Eve in Naples Florida. Ubered in and out, great meal , tipped well and got out. No flash, no glitz. I could not help but notice the family in front of me rolling in style- Bentley, beads and baubles. The father noticed my license plate and we struck up a conversation- where you from? Told him. How long you in Florida for? Told him. What do you do? Told him and he told me his background as well. He was a periodontist in Spring Lake , New Jersey. He then said , I have a junior son getting ready for college and I heard the SAT is not
used anymore.” I thought the comment a bit crass- almost like “ flossing is overrated,” lol but my response was terse and poignant - not really , my pilot, surgeon and periodontist all aced it. We got a laugh , exchanged numbers and I’ll definitely be checking back in with him.
Sam Alfonsi Jr. M.Ed
Director
College Bound West Chester
