Even Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai Has To Take The SATs

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Right about now, high school seniors that wish to attend U.S. Universities are scrambling to complete their college applications before the December or January deadlines. Among the things they will be required to submit is a Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT score. While the standardized test is an optional requirement for some schools, at California's Stanford University it is mandatory for every applicant - Even the world's youngest Nobel Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai!

The 18-year-old that is currently completing high school in Birmingham, England, has always expressed her desire to attend the U.S. school that has the reputation for being one of the world's best. But though Malala, who has spent her life advocating for girls' rights to education, has a résumé that probably rivals that of the 42,000 kids that apply for the 2,000 spots each year, it is not enough. Stanford University still requires her to take the SAT just like all the other candidates.

The news has many of her fans up in arms. Some are upset because they believe Malala's achievements are enough to prove she is a worthy candidate. Others think it just shows how much emphasis U.S. Universities place on standardized tests.

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But not everyone agrees with the critics. Some feel that Malala, special as she, should not be given preferential treatment. Besides they argue, if the results of her GCSE's, the British equivalent of the SATs are any indication, the young girl will have no issues passing the U.S. test with flying colors.

As to what Malala has to say about this "injustice?" Probably nothing! The young girl has always maintained that her celebrity status should not afford her an automatic entrance into a University. After all "It wouldn't look very good if the girl shot for wanting to go to school failed her GCSEs (or SAT's)!" If Malala does get accepted to Stanford University, she plans to major in politics and philosophy and then go on to pursue a political career.

Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan. She first caught the world's attention in 2008, when the then 11-year-old publicly challenged the Taliban's policies against educating girls. However, it was in October 2012 when things changed for the young activist. Upset by her open defiance, some Taliban members took matters into their hands and shot the young girl in the head.

Photo Credit: Pete Souza [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Fortunately, they were unable to kill Malala or her spirit. Following several surgeries and an extended recuperation period, she returned stronger and even more determined to fight for what's right. In addition to her continued support for girls in Pakistan, Malala is also spearheading the efforts to provide schools for kids that are caught in the current worldwide refugee crisis - All while preparing for the SAT's of course!

Resources: csmonitor.com,inquistr.com,indiatoday.com

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199 Comments
  • pineapple55
    pineapple55about 9 years
    she's so cool
    • malafanabout 9 years
      She is super amazing in how she fought for her rights!
      • queenmari
        queenmariabout 9 years
        In my opinion, Malala is a great person! She inspired many people including me. But I think that Malala should take the SAT because it is unfair to others. Many teenagers do great things. Some of them are not noticed. They have to take the SAT noticed or not. I love Malala, its just unfair to others. What do you think? c:
        • spemabout 9 years
          awesome!!!!!
          • rosiering
            rosieringabout 9 years
            malala day is on my bday yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay such an important person
            • rosiering
              rosieringabout 9 years
              such amazing kid
              • cream2007
                cream2007about 9 years
                She went threw a lot of difficult things in life
                • jackieminniemoo
                  jackieminniemooabout 9 years
                  She should also be equal to others around her @mOpsy_moo & adi10
                  • jackieminniemoo
                    jackieminniemooabout 9 years
                    She should definitely take the test because she's technically fighting for girls' education rights, so she should prove to the world that a girl can succeed. ^__^
                    • m0psy_moo
                      m0psy_mooabout 9 years
                      yea but if you think about it @adi10 someone who has made such a big difference should deserve more, and she is actually special.
                      • queenmari
                        queenmariabout 9 years
                        Many teenagers do great things like Malala, they don't get noticed though. But noticed or not they still have to take the SAT's. Malala is a great person! Its unfair to others. This is just my opinion.