If you plan to study abroad in the US, sitting for tests like the SAT or ACT may seem like the most challenging part of the journey. Fortunately, many universities and colleges have adopted test-optional policies in recent years. The great news is that you can apply to them without submitting standardised test scores. The move recognises that a single test score is not enough to assess the full potential of a student. As an aspiring international student, you will surely want to bypass SAT or ACT. Here are the key facts you must know about the easier route to an American higher education institution.

UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES OF SUBMITTING TEST SCORES TO COLLEGES

Before checking your options for test-optional entry to an American HEI, you must understand the upsides and downsides of submitting your test scores for admission. Knowing them will help you decide whether you should provide the scores or skip them when you can choose either in a test-optional college. Alternatively, you can also be more confident about seeking entry into a test-free college.

THE UPSIDES

• Gives you a competitive edge in the application process
• Enables you to showcase your strengths
• Helps you demonstrate improvement by scoring more
• Gets you ahead of the requirements for specific programmes and scholarships

THE DOWNSIDES

• Causes stress and pressure on students
• Limits focus on extracurricular activities and other strengths
• Increases the expense of the admission process due to the exam costs
• Extends the timespan of your study abroad journey

TEST-OPTIONAL & TEST-FREE COLLEGES

A test-optional college gives the students applying for admission the option to submit standardised test scores like the SAT or ACT. With test-optional admissions, applicants can highlight their strengths in areas such as grades, course rigor, personal essays, extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles. Many colleges and universities have adopted test-optional policies to create a more inclusive and diverse applicant pool by leveling the playing field for candidates from various backgrounds and reducing the dependency on high-stakes testing.

Applicants can submit their test scores as part of their application to test-optional colleges. While these institutions do not require test scores, they still recognize that some applicants may feel that scores strengthen their application and represent their abilities. While admissions departments do consider the scores, they see them objectively without making biased decisions to ensure a fair admission process.

A test-free college does not consider standardised test scores at all during the admissions process, even if the student submits them. It gives admission solely on aspects such as the applicant’s high school performance, essays, extracurricular involvement, and recommendation letters. The admissions process takes the test-optional policy to the next level and eases the road for bright students who cannot appear for tests or fail to get the requisite scores.

TOP TEST-OPTIONAL & TEST-FREE COLLEGES IN THE US

FairTest has a list of 1,843 American colleges offering test-optional or test-free admissions to students looking to bypass SAT and ACT. Here is a list of the top ones to explore in 2023.

NORTHEAST

IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS

• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Princeton University
• Yale University

Notably, Columbia University has adopted the test-optional initiative permanently.

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

• Rutgers University
• SUNY Binghamton
• University of Connecticut
• University of Maine
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Vermont

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bates College
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Colby College
• Davidson College
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Hamilton College
• Haverford College
• Middlebury College
• New York University
• Northeastern University
• Northwestern University
• Rice University
• Skidmore College
• Swarthmore College
• The Cooper Union
• Tufts University
• Vassar College
• Wellesley College
• Williams College

MIDWEST

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

• Michigan State University
• Ohio State University
• Purdue University
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• University of Minnesota
• University of Wisconsin

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

• Grinnell College
• Kenyon College
• Macalester College
• Notre Dame University
• Oberlin College
• Wesleyan University

WEST

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

• Brigham Young University
• Colorado School of Mines
• Santa Clara University
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of California, Merced
• University of California, Riverside
• University of California, San Diego
• University of California, Santa Barbara
• University of California, Santa Cruz
• University of Washington

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

• Claremont McKenna College
• Harvey Mudd College
• Pomona College
• The Cooper Union
• Wellesley College

SOUTH

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

• North Carolina State University
• Texas A&M University
• University of Maryland
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of Southern California
• University of Texas - Austin
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Tech

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS

• Clemson University
• Scripps College
• Trinity University
• Vanderbilt University
• Villanova University
• Wake Forest University
• William & Mary

SHOULD YOU SUBMIT YOUR TEST SCORES IN A TEST-OPTIONAL COLLEGE?

Now that you know that you have the option to submit your scores or skip them in some colleges and universities in the US, the next big question is whether you should submit them or not. Here are the factors to consider:

• Research the average test scores for the target college. You can be in a good place by submitting your score if it is well above the average for students admitted to the college.
• Assess your application’s strength by evaluating components such as your GPA, coursework, essays, and extracurricular activities. Submitting your scores does not make sense if you have a well-rounded and strong profile.
• Reflect on the potential impact of your test scores on admissions. If it seems to be positive, you can submit your scores. Conversely, skip them if they detract from your overall application.
• Consider bypassing the test if your financial position is tight because taking the test and sending the scores to the college entails a significant expense.
• Check the special requirements for a programme or scholarship as some colleges require test scores for honors degrees and merit-based scholarships.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Test-optional policies give students a holistic approach to showcasing their potential, more flexibility, and cost savings. As you consider your options, remember there is no one-size-fits-all approach to college admissions. Consider the application process as a personal journey, and see what the best choice is for you. Research the test-optional policy of the college and make an informed decision according to your goals, strengths, and circumstances.

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