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More Colleges Are Waiving SAT and ACT Requirements More Colleges Are Waiving SAT and ACT Requirements
(14 days later)
They are a rite of passage as well as anxiety-inducing letters for millions of students: the SAT and ACT.They are a rite of passage as well as anxiety-inducing letters for millions of students: the SAT and ACT.
But with many high schools closed or teaching remotely for the rest of the academic year, a growing number of colleges and universities are waiving standardized test requirements amid the coronavirus pandemic.But with many high schools closed or teaching remotely for the rest of the academic year, a growing number of colleges and universities are waiving standardized test requirements amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Some went further than that, with leaders of the University of California system voting on May 21 to phase out the SAT and ACT as an admissions requirement over the next four years.Some went further than that, with leaders of the University of California system voting on May 21 to phase out the SAT and ACT as an admissions requirement over the next four years.
The test will be optional through 2024, when the system’s 10 schools could develop its own admissions test. The system had already eliminated the standardized test requirement because of the outbreak of the virus.The test will be optional through 2024, when the system’s 10 schools could develop its own admissions test. The system had already eliminated the standardized test requirement because of the outbreak of the virus.
Proponents of the change said the university system would still attract top students and that too much weight had been given to the tests.Proponents of the change said the university system would still attract top students and that too much weight had been given to the tests.
“No one has ever asked me, ‘What was your SAT?’” said Lark Park, a regent for the University of California system.“No one has ever asked me, ‘What was your SAT?’” said Lark Park, a regent for the University of California system.
At least two Ivy League schools adjusted their policies for applicants. On April 22, Cornell University suspended its testing requirements, saying in a statement that “due to this extraordinary circumstance,” students could submit applications without ACT or SAT exam results starting in August 2021.At least two Ivy League schools adjusted their policies for applicants. On April 22, Cornell University suspended its testing requirements, saying in a statement that “due to this extraordinary circumstance,” students could submit applications without ACT or SAT exam results starting in August 2021.
“We can’t pre-define in absolute, comprehensive terms what economic or personal disruptions will look like,” the statement added. “We don’t plan to require any students to justify their reasons for not submitting test results.”“We can’t pre-define in absolute, comprehensive terms what economic or personal disruptions will look like,” the statement added. “We don’t plan to require any students to justify their reasons for not submitting test results.”
And Harvard College recently told applying high school juniors that they would not face penalties if they were unable to submit SAT subject test results and Advanced Placement test scores.And Harvard College recently told applying high school juniors that they would not face penalties if they were unable to submit SAT subject test results and Advanced Placement test scores.
“We know that there are fewer opportunities to take the SAT or ACT given the cancellations to date,” Harvard said in a statement. “You will not be disadvantaged in any way if you do not submit subject tests.”“We know that there are fewer opportunities to take the SAT or ACT given the cancellations to date,” Harvard said in a statement. “You will not be disadvantaged in any way if you do not submit subject tests.”
Two other Ivy League schools, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, do not require students take SAT subject tests for admission. In a recent message to potential applicants, Princeton’s dean of admission, Karen Richardson said, “while our policy has long been that SAT subject tests are recommended but not required, now seems the appropriate time to reiterate that applicants who do not submit subject tests will not be disadvantaged in our process.” She added, “SAT or ACT test scores are only one part of our holistic review.”Two other Ivy League schools, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania, do not require students take SAT subject tests for admission. In a recent message to potential applicants, Princeton’s dean of admission, Karen Richardson said, “while our policy has long been that SAT subject tests are recommended but not required, now seems the appropriate time to reiterate that applicants who do not submit subject tests will not be disadvantaged in our process.” She added, “SAT or ACT test scores are only one part of our holistic review.”
So far, Dartmouth College, Yale and Brown University still require them, as do Stanford and highly selective colleges on the West Coast. But many of the schools that compete with those big names are moving ahead to make the tests optional.So far, Dartmouth College, Yale and Brown University still require them, as do Stanford and highly selective colleges on the West Coast. But many of the schools that compete with those big names are moving ahead to make the tests optional.
More than two dozen institutions — including highly selective liberal arts colleges like Williams and Amherst, both in Massachusetts — announced this spring that the tests would be optional for applicants seeking to enroll in 2021.More than two dozen institutions — including highly selective liberal arts colleges like Williams and Amherst, both in Massachusetts — announced this spring that the tests would be optional for applicants seeking to enroll in 2021.
The easing of test requirements comes as education reform groups have criticized the SAT and ACT, which they contend give wealthier students an advantage because their families can afford expensive prep exams and coaches. The nonprofit National Center for Fair and Open Testing keeps a growing list of hundreds of higher education institutions already moving away from requiring the tests.The easing of test requirements comes as education reform groups have criticized the SAT and ACT, which they contend give wealthier students an advantage because their families can afford expensive prep exams and coaches. The nonprofit National Center for Fair and Open Testing keeps a growing list of hundreds of higher education institutions already moving away from requiring the tests.
Williams College, which U.S. News & World Report ranked as the top national liberal arts college in its annual guide this year, took the step last week and said it was waiving the requirement for both first-year and transfer applicants.Williams College, which U.S. News & World Report ranked as the top national liberal arts college in its annual guide this year, took the step last week and said it was waiving the requirement for both first-year and transfer applicants.
“This is an unprecedented moment for students and colleges alike and it calls for a change to the usual way of doing things,” Liz Creighton, the dean of admission and financial aid at Williams, said in a statement on April 6.“This is an unprecedented moment for students and colleges alike and it calls for a change to the usual way of doing things,” Liz Creighton, the dean of admission and financial aid at Williams, said in a statement on April 6.
The same day that Williams made the exams optional, so did its rival, Amherst.The same day that Williams made the exams optional, so did its rival, Amherst.
“If future test dates are not available in students’ local areas or if students are worried about how to test in a socially distant manner, we do not want them to feel pressure to put themselves in situations that are not in their best interest,” Matt McGann, the dean of admission and financial aid at Amherst, said in a statement. “And we wanted to provide clarity and ease anxiety as soon as we could.”“If future test dates are not available in students’ local areas or if students are worried about how to test in a socially distant manner, we do not want them to feel pressure to put themselves in situations that are not in their best interest,” Matt McGann, the dean of admission and financial aid at Amherst, said in a statement. “And we wanted to provide clarity and ease anxiety as soon as we could.”
Updated July 16, 2020
The College Board, which administers the SAT, said on May 12 that it supports colleges “that are rightfully emphasizing flexibility for the admissions process for next year” and noted that the organization’s “responsibility is to ensure that every student has the option and the opportunity to take the SAT.”The College Board, which administers the SAT, said on May 12 that it supports colleges “that are rightfully emphasizing flexibility for the admissions process for next year” and noted that the organization’s “responsibility is to ensure that every student has the option and the opportunity to take the SAT.”
“As many colleges are considering temporary shifts to test-flexible and test-optional admissions policies due to the coronavirus, it is important that they help students understand how these changes will impact admission, access to specialized programs, and scholarships,” the College Board said.“As many colleges are considering temporary shifts to test-flexible and test-optional admissions policies due to the coronavirus, it is important that they help students understand how these changes will impact admission, access to specialized programs, and scholarships,” the College Board said.
A spokesman for the ACT said it “respects the right of every college to determine its own admission policies, particularly in the midst of a crisis such as Covid-19 where flexibility and managing disruption is paramount,” while noting that “despite the immediate effects of Covid19 on admissions, it is clear that ACT scores add meaningful insight and significant value above and beyond other factors used in the college admission process.”A spokesman for the ACT said it “respects the right of every college to determine its own admission policies, particularly in the midst of a crisis such as Covid-19 where flexibility and managing disruption is paramount,” while noting that “despite the immediate effects of Covid19 on admissions, it is clear that ACT scores add meaningful insight and significant value above and beyond other factors used in the college admission process.”
“We are committed to supporting students’ needs for obtaining an ACT score during these trying times by working to provide them with multiple options to take the test,” the spokesman said.“We are committed to supporting students’ needs for obtaining an ACT score during these trying times by working to provide them with multiple options to take the test,” the spokesman said.
In the Boston area, Tufts, Northeastern and Boston University have all adopted an optional-testing policy.In the Boston area, Tufts, Northeastern and Boston University have all adopted an optional-testing policy.
Both Vassar and Pomona Colleges have waived standardized tests in their admission requirement. Davidson College in North Carolina, Haverford College in Pennsylvania and Rhodes College in Tennessee will move to optional testing for three years as part of a pilot program and then re-evaluate their testing requirements.Both Vassar and Pomona Colleges have waived standardized tests in their admission requirement. Davidson College in North Carolina, Haverford College in Pennsylvania and Rhodes College in Tennessee will move to optional testing for three years as part of a pilot program and then re-evaluate their testing requirements.
In Washington State, where the outbreak struck early, the University of Washington took similar steps. The University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Scripps College in Southern California all recently announced that they would no longer require standardized tests.In Washington State, where the outbreak struck early, the University of Washington took similar steps. The University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Scripps College in Southern California all recently announced that they would no longer require standardized tests.
Texas Christian University and Trinity University in San Antonio made testing optional for next year’s applicants, with Trinity adopting the policy for a three-year period.Texas Christian University and Trinity University in San Antonio made testing optional for next year’s applicants, with Trinity adopting the policy for a three-year period.
Both Tulane University in New Orleans and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland have waived the testing requirement for next year’s applicants.Both Tulane University in New Orleans and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland have waived the testing requirement for next year’s applicants.
Aimee Ortiz contributed reporting.Aimee Ortiz contributed reporting.