Top Colleges Go Test-Optional
The shockwave of COVID-19 has impacted almost every facet of education, including testing and college admissions. In particular, it has led to drastic changes to SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Test requirements in admissions, which have been a growing trend even among some of the most competitive universities. Some of the most recent announcements apply to the 2019-20 academic year only, but others have extended it further. Below is a list of recently announced changes, which include suspension of testing requirements or making them optional. We will continue to update this list and keep parents and students informed. Contact us today to find out how these changes may impact your student’s college applications.
Amherst: https://www.amherst.edu/admission/covid-19-considerations/juniors
Suspension of SAT / ACT Testing Requirement – Given limitations on current and future opportunities for SAT and ACT testing, Amherst will suspend for one year its requirement that all students applying for first-year admission submit SAT or ACT scores. This one-year test-optional policy applies to all applicants -- domestic and international -- for the first-year class during the 2020-21 admission cycle. At their own discretion, applicants may still submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration, but SAT Subject Tests will not be considered as part of the evaluation of any applicant's academic record.
BU: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2020/bu-standardized-tests-optional-admission/
[…] Boston University says it will go test-optional for undergraduate students applying for the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters.
Driving the change was the suspension of SAT and ACT testing to comply with coronavirus social distancing protocols. […] “This is a one-year adoption of the policy,” says Kelly Walter (Wheelock’81), associate vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions. “But we will review it next spring.” Her office’s website will be updated this week with details about the temporary policy shift.
Pomona: https://www.pomona.edu/coronavirus/admissions-faq
Pomona College is adopting a test-optional policy for first-year and transfer students applying for admission for entry in Fall 2021. This one-year policy means SAT or ACT scores are not required for applicants for first-year or transfer admission, though students may still choose to submit them.
The Office of Admissions will continue to place emphasis on academic achievement, leadership and extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. The submission of arts supplements and completing an alumni interview continue to be optional components of the Pomona application.
To assist students and families grappling with the pandemic, Middlebury College will no longer require applicants to submit standardized test scores. The change is meant to offer flexibility to students who plan on applying to college in a world transformed by COVID-19. The new test-optional policy will remain in place on a trial basis for three years, through fall 2023.
Tufts: https://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/first-year-students/sat-and-act-tests/
Tufts University is introducing a test-optional admissions policy for all undergraduate applicants for a 3-year period, beginning with applicants who apply for the Fall 2021 semester. Starting with [the] next admissions cycle, first-year and transfer applicants have a choice about whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for undergraduate admission to Tufts University.
The University of California acted last [on March 31] to implement temporary measures which relax undergraduate admissions requirements for students looking to enroll at UC for fall 2020 and future years as applicable.
Vassar: https://stories.vassar.edu/2020/vassar-waives-standardized-tests-for-admission.html
Vassar College will waive its admission requirement that applicants submit SAT or ACT test scores, President Elizabeth H. Bradley announced. The new pilot policy will go into effect for the 2020–21 admission cycle. The Office of Admission’s decision to go test optional was made in consultation with the College Committee on Admission and Financial Aid (CAFA) and the Board of Trustees. Bradley added that the College will evaluate the pilot after the close of the admission cycle in 2021 and determine whether to make it an ongoing policy.
Williams: https://communications.williams.edu/news-releases/4_6_2020_test_optional/
Williams College has adopted a test-optional policy for students applying as first-years or transfers during the 2020-2021 admission cycle.
With support from Williams President Maud S. Mandel, this change has been instituted for next year only. Students may still choose to submit standardized test results, which will be considered as part of the college’s holistic admission as they always have.
