Written by Sydney Weber
The ACT and SAT tests have long been a fundamental part of college admissions, but that’s starting to change.
During the 2020 admissions process, more than half of all colleges nationwide waived the test requirements according to Fairtest.org. Others have become test-optional, meaning students can choose whether to submit scores. While some schools have stated that the changes are only intended for a year, others have said they’re considering making it permanent, according to NPR.
“Many students will really benefit from these changes,” said Raeann Schultz, a counselor at East Ridge High School.
Schools that have adjusted their requirements include the University of North Dakota, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Brown University and Columbia University.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a big motivator for colleges to waive these requirements as many students did not have access to testing. However, many colleges had already been discussing this idea.
“The biggest factor was that it isn’t always the best predictor of a student’s success in college,” Schultz said.
Many students do not function as well in a high stress environment like taking the ACT, which could impact how they perform on the test but does not reflect their full knowledge, Schultz said.
“Schools that are moving away from ACT and SAT scores adopt a more holistic view of applications,” said Melissa Muñoz, a counselor at East Ridge High School.
These schools will focus more on the “big picture” of the application, weighing students’ GPAs and involvement in sports, clubs, rigorous classes and volunteering, she said.
These components reflect how a student is interacting with their environment outside of the classroom and could show what students will bring to their college aside from their studies. Clubs, sports, and volunteering all help illustrate what students can uniquely introduce to colleges, she said.
“I think this will really help me,” said sophomore Avery Wallen, who is in Key Club and plays on the softball and basketball teams.
Counselors at East Ridge High School still recommend taking the ACT or SAT because a good score can elevate students’ opportunities for applications and scholarships still requiring them. While test-optional schools won’t judge a student negatively for not submitting test scores, a high score will still strengthen an application.
“I’ll still take the ACT but it will be nice to not have my whole future for college resting on that,” Wallen said.
