Dear Judy,

What is the use of taking an Advanced Regents diploma? Do colleges even know what a Regents exam is? Wouldn't it be just as well to take the five basic Regents exams and not bother with more? Or not take them at all?

-- High school parent

Dear High School Parent:

For a long time, passing Regents exams was not the only way to get a New York State diploma. For many students, demonstrating competency in major subjects meant passing an easier Regents Competency test (known as the RCT). Then politicians began questioning the true value of a New York State high school diploma, and imposed Regents exams on all students to raise the standards. The New York State Education Department also offered an advanced Regents diploma to those students who followed a more rigorous curriculum. Take a look at Insideschools' basics on diploma requirements for the specifics.

It's true that Regents exams are unique to New York State, but in response to the No Child Left Behind law (NCLB) many states have now established exit exams to set standards for their diplomas. In that sense, New York has a leg up with college admissions officers, who have encountered Regents for a long time. Importantly, even if the colleges do not look at the Regents scores at all, and even if you never take the Regents exams themselves, the course load you take to qualify for an Advanced Regents Diploma includes exactly what college admissions offices look for: challenges and effort beyond the basic standard. Just read what City University says on its website to all its applicants:<!--more-->

"The best way to prepare for college and assure achievement is to complete a rigorous high school curriculum. Take challenging courses in mathematics, the social and natural sciences, and the humanities." CUNY goes on to urge that New York students aspire to an Advanced Regents diploma or a Regents Diploma with Honors.

Our own college counselor, Dr Jane Gabin weighed in on this subject as well. "A Regents diploma is definitely an asset, and is known by admissions offices far beyond the bounds of New York State. In my 10 years as an admissions officer, outside of New York, I must have read thousands of applications from New York. When we saw a high school transcript with Regents information, we knew right away we were looking at an applicant with solid credentials." According to Gabin, high Regents scores "was extra validation of the quality of the student's work. For instance, if we saw high grades and equally high scores, we knew the applicant demonstrated true mastery of the subject...if we saw high grades and weak Regents scores, we concluded that there was grade inflation within the school. . ."

On the other hand, there are more than 20 New York City high schools that have special waivers exempting them from most Regents exams. These schools have developed an equally challenging curriculum and set of courses that students must take to meet diploma requirements, but have substituted assessment methods based on portfolios, projects, and presentations, instead of Regents exams. The high schools believe these are authentic assessments and claim the Regents exams do not allow for in-depth exploration of major subjects. Colleges accept students with this kind of preparation too.

Is it worth it to strive for an advanced Regents diploma? Yes. But if you chose a high school that does not offer Regents, you still have to prove yourself with challenging courses, good grades, and activities that demonstrate your character and aspirations.

Good luck,

Judy