Columbia University Makes Test-Optional Permanent

Last week, Columbia announced that they are making their test-optional policy permanent. They are the first Ivy League school to make this move. 

Columbia, like many other colleges, instituted a test-optional policy in response to the pandemic starting with the 2020-21 application cycle. Since then, they have extended the policy each year including to the 2023-24 cycle.

Columbia’s move to a permanent test-optional stance comes at a time when more and more colleges and universities are beginning to question the overall value of standardized tests in evaluating potential students. The University of Pennsylvania has extended their test-optional policy through the 2023-24 cycle. Cornell has extended through the 2024-25 cycle. And Harvard and Princeton have extended through the 2025-26 cycle. The extension of these policies show that test scores aren’t ranking as high in admissions factors as they once did. 

With the absence of test scores, Columbia has pointed to GPA, application essays, recommendations, and class rank as being important factors considered in the application process.  Columbia’s official announcement states, “Students who choose not to submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in our process […] We will continue to evaluate all submitted information within an individualized application review process that considers the unique combination of circumstances shaping each applicant's journey.” On the one hand, it’s great that each student’s individual value, circumstances, and experience will be considered in the admissions process. After all, many students have more to offer a school than can be shown through the scores of standardized test scores. On the other hand, it makes a lot of the criteria by which students will be judged, other than the few factors listed by the school, very unclear and subjective. The vague language of that statement makes it seem as though the school officials who are writing it aren’t really sure exactly what they are looking at when examining an application.

We’ve said this so many times before that those of you who follow our blog are probably tired of hearing it, but we will say it again: Take the test and submit a strong score! While the announcement states that if you do not submit the scores you will not be disadvantaged, we strongly believe that a good test score can only help an applicant seem more appealing. When all other factors are equal, that strong test score might give you the slight advantage you need to really seal the deal of admission. 

If you would like help preparing for the SAT or the ACT, reach out to Ivy Link to get more information on our tutoring and test prep services. Or, register for a diagnostic test today!