Test Optional Colleges are Growing in Number

Standardized tests have been a part of the college application process for decades. During this time people have pointed out that they can be unfair and may not be reflective of an applicant's potential in college. For these reasons, some colleges have decided to become test optional, meaning the SAT and ACT are not required.

Some students work very hard and still may not be able to get the test scores they want or need. This can be a very frustrating situation because many colleges rely heavily on the use of standardized tests and low scores can have a significant negative impact on admissions chances, although tests are not the only or most important factor. For individuals in this circumstance, applying to test optional colleges could be a great idea.

Some of the top colleges in the nation are test optional. For instance, the University of Chicago, ranked number 6 in the country, is a part of this group. However, for this university, students will need to demonstrate promise and potential in other ways to make up for the lack of a test score. This should be an extracurricular spike. Not all colleges expect something in place of test scores, although there may be more pressure to deliver something else in the application that is compelling.

In Florida, Rollins College is test optional as well as Stetson University. These are also options for students looking for test optional colleges. There are also many other colleges across the country with test optional policies.

For some students, test optional applications are the way to go; however, this does not mean that all students should try to avoid studying for the SAT or ACT. The vast majority of colleges, public and private, require test scores. This means that if students simply avoid the SAT or ACT they are limiting their future options.