How Selective Are Test Optional Schools?

August 24th, 2009

More than 800 colleges in the USAT do not require SAT or ACT scores. Most of these institutions are technical or religious schools or schools that have open admissions policies. But there are about two dozen selective liberal arts colleges, including Smith and Bowdoin, for whom the submission of test scores is optional.

Not requiring tests can make a school appear more selective because it generates more applicants. Typically, when schools switch to a test-optional policy, they experience a 10-20% increase in applications. With more applicants to choose from, schools can reject more students and seem choosier. As it turns out, many of those applicants will typically have lower SAT or ACT scores. Students who opt not to report scores statistically score 100 to 150 points lower than students who do divulge test results. Since about 25-50% of applicants’ scores go unreported to these colleges, the average scores of admitted students are raised by 25-75 points, a fact that makes the school seem more competitive to applicants.

Here’s an example of how that works: Before Mount Holyoke went test-optional in 2001, its middle 50% SAT range (a frequently cited test barometer) was 1170-1360. A few years later, with roughly 70 percent of freshmen submitting scores, the range jumped to 1230-1420, an increase of 60 points on both ends.

The end result is that a school that does not require the SAT or ACT can appear more of an academic heavy-weight on paper than it actually is. Families should also be aware that many test-optional schools do require submission of scores to qualify for merit scholarships. So, when considering the test-optional schools, make sure you do your homework before you apply!

Test Optional Schools:

Albright
American — for Early Decision only *
Assumption
Bates
Bowdoin
College of the Holy Cross
Dickinson *
Franklin & Marshall
Gettysburg *
Goucher *
Gustavus Adolphus *
Hampshire
Hobart & William Smith *
Lake Forest *
Lawrence University*
Loyola (MD)
Mount Holyoke
Muhlenberg*
Providence College
Rollins
Saint Lawrence
Sarah Lawrence
Smith
Wake Forest

* Test scores are required for merit scholarships.

From http://www.scoreatthetop.com/blog/

Common Application Questions and Answers

The following questions were submitted to me by a number of parents, so I want to share my responses (in bold) with you. These questions and answers refer to specific schools but can be applied generally.

1. The college application that I downloaded said that my daughter could attach a personal statement. What is a personal statement, and does she really need to write one?

A personal statement is the same as the main essay a student uses for the Common Application. While the application indicates that sending an essay is optional, I firmly believe that optional means required when it comes to the application process.

2. Is there any advantage to selecting a major versus selecting exploratory? Is it better to apply to the School of Arts and Sciences or to another program?

A student should indicate a specific major, preferably one that can be supported by academics or extracurricular activities, as it makes him or her seem focused. The student is not bound to that particular major—unless he or she attends a specialized school, such as Business or Engineering. Arts & Sciences programs—which most students choose—are easier to get into than Business programs.

3. What is a block schedule?

Some schools use semesters. Some use trimesters. Still others, such as Cornell, use block scheduling—in which students focus intensely to complete one course in four weeks—and then move on to the next one.

4. The SAT section (#19) on the paper application asks for the dates that a student took the college admission tests. Brett took the SAT twice but wants to submit only his January scores since those are his best. Does he need to mention both test dates, or can he cite only the date for which he is submitting his scores?

Indiana University does not require all SAT scores, so Brett can cite only the date of his best score set.

5. When my older daughter applied to college, she submitted a paper application—not an electronic one—so this process is a bit new to me. Are paper applications even used anymore?

No one uses paper applications nowadays! Colleges far prefer electronically submitted applications as they process everything on computer!

6. As long as we keep saving the applications we fill in, it’s okay to return to them later. Right?

YES! Most applications do not have to be completed in one sitting. A student can work on an application, save it, and return to it later, just as he or she can when writing a paper using MS Word. Nothing goes to the college until your child pushes the submit button!