Hi everyone, I've been researching colleges and I'm curious if all colleges require standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) as part of the application process. Are there schools that don't require these scores, or is it a universal requirement? Any insight from collegevine or the applyingtocollege community would be super helpful!
Hello! It's great to see that you're doing research on college admissions requirements. While many colleges do require standardized test scores (such as the SAT or ACT) as part of their application process, there are also a substantial number of institutions that have adopted test-optional or test-flexible policies. Test-optional schools allow applicants to decide whether or not to submit test scores, while test-flexible schools typically accept alternative standardized tests or other measures of academic achievement in lieu of the SAT or ACT. The COVID-19 pandemic has led many colleges to temporarily suspend their testing requirements, so it's important to check the specific guidelines of each school you're interested in applying to. To find a list of test-optional and test-flexible schools, you can visit the FairTest website (www.fairtest.org). Remember that standardized tests are just one part of your college application, and admissions officers will consider other factors such as your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. Good luck with your college search!
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