List of Test Optional Colleges - From Fairtest

This list includes bachelor degree granting institution that do not require all or most recent U.S. high school graduates applying for fall 2023 to submit ACT/SAT results before admissions decisions are made. As the restrictions column indicates, some schools only exempt applicants who meet minimum grade or class rank criteria; others use ACT/SAT scores solely for course placement. Please check with individual schools for details.

 Test Optional Colleges - Subject to Change

Should My Student Apply Test Optional?

By Shane Cole, Collegiate Parent

Before the pandemic took hold in March 2020, many colleges and universities across the country were turning to test-optional admissions for incoming first-year students. When COVID-19 shutdowns made it impossible for students to sit for the SAT and ACT, many more schools jumped on the bandwagon.

The test-optional trend shows no signs of slowing. Some colleges have become permanently test-optional, while others will remain test optional, at least for 2022 and 2023.

I believe this is for two basic reasons. For one, grade point average (GPA) and the rigor of a student's high school coursework are better predictors of future college success than standardized test scores. And two, colleges and universities need to fill their classes. If a student's GPA is good enough, schools will admit them because they will be paying four (or more) years of tuition, housing, and fees.

So, over my last several years with My College Planning Team, I’ve heard this question more and more: Should I apply test-optional? I believe students AND parents should consider several factors before making their decisions.

1. Does your child’s ACT/SAT fall in the middle 50 percent or higher of students admitted the previous year?

Admitted student profiles from the previous year can be found on nearly every college and university website. Take the time and do the research. If your student falls in the middle 50 percent or higher, submit the test score.

2. Is your child a great student but a poor standardized test taker?

This is a no-brainer: apply test optional. Your student may have to write an additional essay, get an additional letter of recommendation, or sit for an interview, but they will have a much better chance of admission if they do not submit a test score below the middle 50 percent.

3. Are top-tier scholarships still available at the college without an ACT/SAT?

After doing some of my research, I have found no general rule to answer this question. Some colleges can and do, reward top scholarships to students who submit applications without ACT/SAT.

But some colleges cannot. The school might have policies that prohibit scholarships without ACT/SAT scores. Be sure to ask an admission representative from the college when making final college decisions to see how scholarships are awarded.

If your student needs to submit test scores, but those scores aren’t up to snuff, be practical and encourage them to apply to schools with test-optional policies. For current high school seniors, finding tutoring and test dates late in the admissions process may be difficult and not cost-effective.

If you are the parent of a junior, there is time to focus on good test preparation. Increased test scores can save you thousands in tuition over four years. Be wise about how much you spend on tutoring. Often, affordable tutoring can be found by asking a high school counselor or neighbors with older students who have been through the testing and application process before.

Test-optional college admission is here to stay, but it’s not for everyone.

Shane Cole is My College Planning Team's community development director and a public high school scholarship counselor. He has a bachelor’s degree in health education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a master’s in counseling from Lewis University. Please contact MCPT to get valuable information for your child’s college future.

 

Class of 2023: New Test Optional Announcement for Public Colleges in Georgia

 USG to extend temporary test optional admission for Academic Year 2023-2024

The University System of Georgia (USG) will continue the temporary waiver of test score requirements for Academic Year 2023-2024 (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024) admission at 24 of the 26 USG institutions. The temporary waiver does not apply to the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia. For Academic Year 2023-2024, the remaining institutions have two options to make admission decisions:

1. Freshman index: Includes high school grade point average and test scores for either the SAT or ACT.

2. Test Optional: Use the high school grade point average on the required high school curriculum without a standardized test score at the following minimum grade point averages:

• 3.4 for research universities: Augusta University and Georgia State university

• 3.2 for comprehensive universities and Georgia College and State University: Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, University of West Georgia and Valdosta State University.

• 3.0 for state universities: Albany State University, Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Middle Georgia State University, Savannah State University and the University of North Georgia.

• State colleges (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, College of Coastal Georgia, Dalton State College, East Georgia State College, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Highlands College, Gordon State College and South Georgia State College) continue to be test optional in accordance with Board policy.

Test scores continue to be required to apply for Zell Miller scholarships. The test optional path is not available for dual enrollment. Students applying for dual enrollment must still meet existing admissions requirements.

College Admission in 2022 - Guidance for the Class of 2023

 

By Matt Musico

College admissions has changed significantly in recent years due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Different areas of college admissions have been impacted in various ways. In this article, we’ll discuss how the landscape currently looks at selective colleges in the United States.

Test Optional Remains a Fixture. How Should You Handle It?

Many colleges dropping test requirements for at least one recruitment cycle during the pandemic has been one of the biggest changes in college admissions. While there have been a small number of colleges that went back to requiring an SAT or ACT from applicants during the 2021-22 academic year – such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech – test-optional admissions are now common practice.

According to Fairtest.org, more than 1,800 colleges and universities didn’t require test scores to apply during the current 2021-22 academic year. It’s looking to be similar for the 2022-23 academic year, too. Fairtest.org is reporting that 1,400-plus schools have already committed to not requiring tests for admission for at least the next recruitment cycle.

The schools that have already committed to not requiring tests for the 2022-23 academic year include several selective schools, like Boston University, Bucknell University, Colgate University, Middlebury College, University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, Tulane University, Tufts University, and the University of Southern California. As we continue creeping closer to the next recruitment cycle, we’ll hear more decisions from institutions about what their intentions are for the 2022-23 academic year if it hasn’t been decided already.

For those who have taken the SAT or ACT, it can be confusing on how to decide whether you should send scores with your application materials. I’ve had this conversation many times over the past two years, and the answer depends on the score and also on the school. In some instances, an SAT score of 1250 would help strengthen an application, but weaken it in other instances depending on the competitiveness of the school. Making this decision is easier by using CollegeData’s tools and resources.

Let’s use Indiana University as an example. If you head to its college profile page on CollegeData and select the admissions tab, you can scroll down to view average test scores. Doing so allows you to see what the middle 50% range is for each section. I advise students that it’s a good idea to submit their scores if they’re in the upper portion of that range. If not, let the rest of your application show why you’re a strong applicant.

If you decide to not submit test scores, don’t think it necessarily puts you at a disadvantage. For the college graduating class of 2025, Tufts reported that half of their applicants and just over 40% of admitted students applied without sending in test scores. Test optional policies are in place to help students – it’s not a secret way to put you into separate buckets when evaluating files.

Competition is Fierce

The global pandemic has created two different situations for college admission offices. There are those who have experienced application surges, and others who are struggling to find students willing to apply. Due to various factors – like the test-optional movement and an inability to see campuses in person, among others – many top US colleges have seen a record number of applicants over the past two years.

A year after receiving nearly 59,000 applications and welcoming its largest class ever, Purdue University has surpassed that number of applications this year. It received more than 46,000 applications by its November 1, 2021 early decision deadline and nearly 54,000 more applications by its January 1, 2022 regular decision deadline.

Tufts received more than 34,000 applications this year, which is a 12% increase from the year prior. Also, Early Restrictive Action applications for the University of Notre Dame saw an increase of nearly 2,000 applicants from the previous year.

While not all selective and Ivy league universities saw an increase in the number of applications received this year, it’s clear that these well-known colleges aren’t having many issues with generating interest. And of course, this means that an already competitive landscape is even more competitive.

It’s imperative to build a balanced college list. There’s nothing wrong with applying to selective schools, but if that’s all your list contains, there’s a lot of uncertainty involved once decisions are released. You’ve worked hard throughout your high school career, and you deserve to have several schools to choose from that you’re excited about during the spring of senior year. Don’t dismiss selective colleges that you love, but also make sure your list is rounded out with non-reach schools that you’d be perfectly happy attending, as well.

AP Tests Could Rise in Importance

Another part of the selective college application process that has changed is SAT Subject tests, which the College Board officially announced would be discontinued in January of 2021. These were typically used for students who wanted to display mastery of a subject, especially since SAT Subject tests reflected high school curricula. It also gave an indication as to how ready a student is to take a college-level course in that specific subject and helped improve a student’s credentials for college admissions.

Now that SAT Subject tests are gone, what can colleges use to help make these determinations? That’s right – AP (Advanced Placement) exams can be an option.

This could especially be the case for those applying via the test optional route. Colleges are looking for as much information as possible to determine a student’s qualifications. Using available AP Test scores is another data point which may help admission offices make that decision. Here’s a statement from Boston College on the topic of reviewing a student’s academic credentials (quote via Carnegie Prep):

'In reviewing applications that do not include standardized test results, the Admission Committee places greater emphasis on other required application credentials including academic performance, rigor of coursework, placement in class, personal statements, recommendations, and co-curricular involvement. Students who wish to further quantify their academic successes are welcome to submit non-required credentials such as Advanced Placement scores, predicted IB scores, or SAT Subject Test results (if previously taken).'

Take note of the first two things mentioned in the above quote: academic performance and rigor of coursework. Regardless of how college admissions change over the years, there’s one thing that won’t: the importance of the grades you earn and the types of classes you take. The best way for an admission office to find out what kind of student you’ll be in college is to look at what kind of student you have been throughout high school.

AP Test scores won’t necessarily become a focal point anytime soon if they rise in importance, but their role in the process is changing. In the past, having scores to report certainly seemed like a bonus, but with SAT Subject Tests no longer available, AP Tests could be the logical substitute.

Use Interviews to Your Advantage

With application numbers rising and the test-optional movement making the other parts of your academic profile even more important, finding other ways to stand out is crucial. One of the ways you can do that is by demonstrating authentic interest in the colleges on your list, with participating in an interview being a great way to show that.

Not all selective colleges track demonstrated interest or offer interviews. However, it’d be wise to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with an admission counselor if it’s available. One way to check whether this is an option at the schools you’re considering is to check the profile of that institution on CollegeData. If we use Wake Forest University as an example, you can see by heading to the admissions tab and scrolling down to the “Selection of Students” section that an interview is not only offered, but it’s also an important piece of the puzzle for admissions.

The timing of when these interviews are made available will vary by school. For Wake Forest, it typically opens interview times – both in-person and virtual – to seniors early in the fall. Once it gets past a certain point in the calendar, those opportunities are only available for students who have already applied.

Interviews are great because they allow admissions officers the opportunity to put a face to the name, so to speak. It brings your application to life, and enables admissions officers to gauge how seriously interested you are in their institution. Having a sense of your personality and social fit for campus in addition to your academic and extracurricular qualifications helps an office make a more informed and confident decision on your admission status.

So, if colleges on your list offer interviews, take advantage of the opportunity to show them the type of student they’d be bringing to campus if you’re accepted and decide to enroll.

“Love of Learning” Can Be a Difference-Maker

With such fierce competition for admission, it’s imperative to find a way to stand out. One way to do that is by displaying a “love of learning”, but what does that even mean?

This isn’t something you can fake just to put on a college application – it needs to be authentic. If you feel certain about what you’d like to study in college, it’s an opportunity to show admission offices you’re serious about that field. For example, if you’re interested in journalism, it’d be great to showcase writing you’ve done for the school newspaper or other publication. If you’re interested in the medical field, it’d be helpful to shadow professionals and do volunteering to be immersed in the environment.

Even if you’re undecided, it’s an opportunity to find an activity or learn more about a subject simply because you want to. Colleges love it when applicants show a desire to challenge themselves beyond their high school curriculum in an activity or subject they’re intrigued by. There are plenty of qualified applicants who don’t gain admission to a top college. The application evaluation doesn’t only consist of a formula that counselors plug numbers into – it’s also a very human process that considers lots of factors beyond a student’s academic qualifications. Showing them a passion outside the classroom can make a difference.

There are many things you can’t control regarding the current landscape of selective college admissions. However, there are plenty of things you can control, such as your grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and the college list you create. Controlling those things is what will be the key to putting together a convincing application to be evaluated, so don’t lose sight of what’s within your power.

Matt Musico, a current college counselor at Collegewise is a freelance writer for CollegeData. He has worked in higher education for the better part of a decade. Half of that time was spent working in an undergraduate admissions office, while the other half has involved working with high school families as a private college counselor.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to CollegeData, 1st Financial Bank USA or any other person or entity. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this article are hereby expressly disclaimed.

College Presentations from ACT - Check out These Tips from the Experts!

Your College and Career Planning Journey Starts Here!

View the following videos recorded at a recent live event, and read the questions and answers from each session. You'll learn from the experts how to prepare for college and career – from finding scholarships to transitioning to life on campus.

Jump to Sessions:  College Planning | Career Navigation | Paying for College

 

Ask The Experts: Advice from College Admissions Directors

Applerouth is hosting “Ask The Experts: Advice from College Admissions Directors” on March 29 at 8PM. The panel includes

Admissions Directors from Georgia Tech, Cornell University, and The George Washington University. This free online event will include topics such as:

§ Testing: What does “test optional” really mean? 

§ Classes & Grades: How do honors, AP, IB, and dual enrollment classes factor into the process? 

§ Essays: What are colleges looking for in students' essays?

§ Extracurriculars: How should students use their time outside of school? 

§ College Visits: With some colleges opening up to campus visitors, is it better to visit in person or remotely?

Register online: https://www.applerouth.com/signup/?scheduleid=488951

Or go to applerouth.com/events and use event code: M488951

College Trends for the Class of 2022

By Matt Musico

Will you get into college in 2022? Here are four trends that might affect your college admissions experience in the coming year.

There is a common misconception out there that students with great grades and test scores will automatically earn acceptances to highly selective colleges. Working hard and earning high grades and test scores is certainly better than the alternative, but admissions – especially at the most selective colleges – is about much more than just the numbers.

That’s been the case in college admissions for several years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has put these conversations in the spotlight. Understanding how the landscape of admissions continues to shift is a great way to manage expectations throughout the process. Here are four trends to keep an eye on in 2022.

1. Test Optional Movement Continues

Test optional, test blind and test flexible all have different meanings, but at their core, they all mean one thing: students don’t need to submit their SAT/ACT score for admission. According to Fairtest.org, there were 1,070 colleges and universities who didn’t require an SAT or ACT test prior to the global pandemic.

Once the presence of COVID-19 changed just about everything in life, virtually all higher education institutions began waving the testing requirement to eliminate a potential barrier to students applying. For the high school graduating Class of 2022, Fairtest is reporting that 1,815 colleges and universities are either test optional or test blind, which is the highest it’s ever been.

But what about the Class of 2023? Don’t worry – the test optional movement isn’t dying down just yet. At least 1,400 institutions have already indicated that tests won’t be required as part of the application process. The only variable left in this equation is those final 400+ institutions that haven’t yet announced their testing policies for next year.

Those announcements will likely come one-by-one throughout the late winter and early spring of 2022. A recent example is the University of Wisconsin, which announced in December 2021 that they’re extending their test-optional policy through at least the spring 2025 term.

2. Top Colleges Will Keep Seeing a Record Number of Applications

As admissions offices dropped the testing requirement with hopes their application numbers wouldn’t drop, the opposite happened. Many colleges and universities – especially highly selective institutions – have seen a record number of applications get submitted.

While application numbers dropped significantly for smaller schools – especially for those that aren’t well known – top schools in the country thrived. Ivy League colleges saw application numbers rise from the year before, and that is expected to continue. These types of increases aren’t just for highly selective schools, though, and Auburn University is the perfect example of that. As of December 2021, the Auburn admissions office had received more than 40,000 applications to review from the Class of 2022 – an all-time high. This marked a 68.5% increase in applications from the year before, and a stunning 155% increase from two years ago.

If schools continue to not require SAT/ACT tests, these types of trends will continue. This policy allows a student with a great GPA and rigorous curriculum who isn’t a great test taker to “take a shot” at their dream school. That’s awesome, but the downside of these application increases is colleges must get more selective than before because there are only so many spots available each fall for their incoming freshman class. With the need to get more selective, admissions offices must look beyond academics to differentiate applicants from one another, which brings us to our next trend.

3. “Human” Part of Applications Becomes Increasingly More Important

The admissions process involves more than just GPA, the rigor of a student’s curriculum, and test scores (if they’re submitted). In addition to making sure you’re an academic fit for the school you’ve applied to, admissions offices are also trying to decide if you’ll fit in on campus in other ways.

This is where the “human” part of applications come into play. The “paper” part is all the stuff you can’t change once the time comes to apply. This includes your transcript, test scores, and educational background. There are only a couple of spots where you can show your personality in an application, and that resides in your activity list and personal statement.

Colleges are interested in seeing how you spend your time outside of the classroom because it’s a way for them to not only find out what you’re passionate about, but also to see if there are activities on their campus that you’d be interested in joining. As for your personal statement, telling a story about yourself gives them an idea as to how you could fit on campus from a social aspect. Instead of just getting the facts about you – what your GPA/test scores are, where you’re from, what high school you attend, etc. – they get a chance to learn about the person behind all those qualifications and how he or she will contribute to the campus.

To learn more about you and your motivations for applying, some institutions also have a school-specific supplemental short essay for you to complete. One of the most common short essay prompts asked by colleges and universities are “Why do you want to attend [insert school here]?” Attending college is a big commitment, and this question serves as a way for admissions offices to see how serious you are about them.

In response to the test optional movement mentioned above, some schools that didn’t have a short answer to complete in their application in the past, but added at least one to get to know students better. Some colleges that have done this include the University of Miami and Fordham University. There are other colleges that only require extra short answers for students who apply test optional, like Bryant University.

4. Yield Protection Becomes More Common

Historically, applying to college via Early Action offers several advantages. Doing so allows you to demonstrate legitimate interest in a school, and you’d get the benefit of receiving a decision in December, January, or February instead of waiting until March or April. There’s also been this thought that applying via Early Action is less competitive than Regular Decision, so the chances of gaining admission are better.

With such a tremendous surge in applications, colleges must find a way to hedge their bets. That’s come in the form of deferring more students from Early Action to the Regular Decision pool, which is a practice that’s called “yield protection” within the admissions world.

Yield protection is a practice in which an institution will not accept a highly qualified student outright because there’s a feeling they’ll be accepted by and eventually enroll in a more prestigious school. So, while it’ll be a head-scratching moment for a high-achieving student to get deferred by a target or likely school on their list, it’s probably a case of that college trying to protect their yield, which is the percentage of students accepted who decide to enroll at a particular school.

COVID-19 has created uncertainty in all aspects of life. College admissions is very much a part of that, for both families and higher education institutions. As we can see, these trends are related to one another, with the big first domino to fall being schools dropping the SAT/ACT requirement. Being aware of these trends is helpful in managing expectations and building a balanced college list. Remember to take ownership of what you can control by asking yourself the right questions at the start of your college search, and stay organized throughout the process to complete and submit thoughtful applications in a timely manner.

When there are so many variables involved, the best thing you can do is focus on putting your best foot forward in each aspect of the experience.

Matt Musico, a current college counselor at Collegewise 

 

Common Questions about Test-Optional Admissions from Jed Applerouth

 

Answers to Common Questions about Test-Optional Admissions

by Jed Applerouth, PhD and Ginger Fay on August 18, 2021

   

Helpful Answers and Advice for College Applicants.

To help families make sense of the ‘new normal’ that is test-optional admissions, we offer answers to the (many!) questions we have been hearing about Test Optional admissions and how students can best use these policies to their advantage during this admissions cycle.

“I heard the tests are optional this year.”

Let’s start with a bit of clarification – taking the SAT or ACT has always been optional for students unless it is required by their state for graduation. In the past, when a student opted not to take the tests, they were also opting out of applying to most of the selective colleges and universities in the United States, since those schools typically required standardized testing as part of their application process. As a result of the testing challenges fueled by the ongoing global pandemic, more than two-thirds of colleges in the US have at least temporarily dropped their testing requirements for admission. Under these policies, students have the option to withhold test scores that may not boost their chances for admission. 

However, strong test scores can strengthen an application and heighten one’s chances of securing merit-based financial aid at select colleges. Just as students have long had the choice to submit or withhold AP and IB scores, which are not required for admission, students now have the similar choice of whether to submit or withhold SAT and ACT scores. Typically, it is in a student’s best interest to try the tests and see whether their scores could be an asset in the application process. Applerouth offers free practice tests almost every weekend to help students determine if the tests may play a role in their college search and application process.

“So what does test optional mean then?”

A test-optional policy simply means that a college will consider an application complete and review it, even if the student has not submitted SAT or ACT scores. (As noted above, before the pandemic, most selective colleges previously required SAT or ACT scores for the application to be considered complete.) Test optional means you, the student, can choose whether or not to include your test scores as part of your application to a test-optional school, much like how you’ll choose which extracurriculars to list in your application. It also means that the college will receive some applications with scores and some without. For applications with test scores, the college will review the scores as part of the admissions decision. 

The National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) invited member institutions to sign a pledge that their test-optional policy really meant that testing was optional and to date, over 550 schools have done so. 

“What about test blind or test flexible?”

For the coming admissions cycle, a small number of colleges, under 50, have elected to go test blind (also known as test free or score free), which means that even if scores are submitted, they will not be considered as part of the application review. Twenty colleges and universities have adopted this position permanently and another twenty or so have engaged in pilot programs to evaluate the outcomes before making a long-term decision.

Test flexible means that the college offers an alternate admissions path to students. Students can opt out of submitting scores if their grades are above a certain threshold or they can submit some combination of other standardized test scores (like results from AP Exams) and/or writing samples in lieu of submitting the SAT or ACT.

“Will submitting test scores help or hurt my chance of admission?”

Like so many things in the college application process, the answer is, ‘it depends.’ There are some colleges where your scores will make you a stand-out applicant, perhaps even eligible for a merit scholarship, and there are other colleges where your scores might be a detriment to your application. A good rule of thumb is that if your test scores fall at or above the school’s pre-pandemic middle 50% range, your scores won’t hurt your application and in many cases can help demonstrate that you are prepared for the challenges that await in college. Colleges individually will determine how much weight they place on testing and other factors in the application.

For those looking for quantitative data regarding any test-submission advantage, unfortunately, this data is extremely hard to come by. Colleges do not have to report this information. Educational researcher and author, Jeff Selingo, reported the following data from his discussions with admissions officers. It is clear that some colleges admitted test score submitters and non-submitters at differential rates in 2021.

It’s important not to make too many assumptions from this data. The schools on this list were reading applications without test scores for the very first time, and it complicated matters that many students had fewer opportunities to test during the pandemic. Additionally, the group of score submitters and non-submitters were not a perfectly matched sample, and may have had other factors influencing their differential admit rates. 

To add a level of nuance to this data, Jeff Selingo reported that some colleges have been putting more emphasis on test scores for students applying to STEM and business programs. So while test scores may factor in less for an aspiring general education major, they may loom larger for an aspiring engineer. 

“Is it worth prepping for the SAT or ACT if the schools I am applying to are all test optional?”

Again, it depends. If your scores on a practice test are within striking distance of scores that would be compelling to some of your top choices, then it is probably worth your time and effort to try and improve your scores through focused preparation. This investment may pay meaningful dividends in your application process. However, if your scores are a long way away from being competitive at your target and reach schools, then you are probably better off putting that time and energy into other parts of your application, like your GPA, commitment to extracurricular activities, or your essays. In the end, almost every part of a student’s application is optional – including even applying in the first place! Test-optional admissions policies put students firmly in the driver’s seat, so take the wheel and steer yourself where you want to go.

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Want to learn more about what test optional means for students? 

Join Dr. Jed Applerouth and former Duke University Admissions Officer Ginger Fay for a candid hour of answers to your most pressing questions about What Test Optional Means for You next Wednesday, August 25 at 8pm Eastern. Register here.