Seems like test optional is the norm now… does this mean that having a high SAT score is meaningless?
Who knows? Probably the admissions offices don’t even know yet. Your scores won’t hurt you and might help you, so if the place is test-optional rather than no-test, go ahead and send them.
There have been multiple threads on this topic already:
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/2004504-test-optional.html
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/2183088-test-optional-admission-what-you-need-to-know-right-now.html
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/2189411-test-optional-what-does-will-not-be-disadvantaged-mean.html
^Of those three, the thread from 2017 has this interesting post: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/20761476/#Comment_20761476
Considering that the current test-optional situation is unprecedented, insofar as virtually all selective colleges will be test optional for high school class of 2021, I think more discussion is helpful. For whom does this increase/decrease chances, how does this affect the college list, particularly ED apps, etc.
Is the data that says test optional is the norm? And for any more than this upcoming year?
No, I don’t believe a high SAT is meaningless. Optional doesn’t mean ignored. There is indeed a paradox that no test score won’t penalize you but a good score will positively impact your application.
I highly doubt a high score will be “meaningless”. It can only help, not hurt.
If you are in a higher SES group and not part of a URM, the test optional policy was not created to help you. Arguably it won’t hurt, but still… for those in that group who are applying unhooked to very selective colleges, it is probably in your best interests to submit a decent score if you want to be competitive against similar applicants, of which there are many.
While USNWR has said they will start to include test blind colleges in its rankings, I haven’t seen what their new methodology will be. Currently test optional colleges get a 15% penalty on SAT scores if at least 75% of their accepted applicants don’t submit scores. That could change. However, until you know for sure it has, in going TO you could reasonably guess that you are competing for 25% of open non-hooked spots instead of being in the 75% pool of those who will submit scores.
Finally, while many colleges are going test optional, we have yet to hear from many scholarships as to whether or not they will follow suit.
Finally, due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, there are a lot of high schoolers who have very little to do this summer. Many are finding that prepping for the SAT/ACT is an easy, obvious, and productive use of their time. I wouldn’t be the least surprised to see an increase in strong scores come fall. At the very least, that could add a bit of risk for those who can’t be bothered to try taking the test at all or want to rest on a so-so score.
Students will have to factor in their score vis-a-vis the average scores.
Think of it this way, no student with a top score has ANY reason not to submit.
It’s likely a missing score won’t hurt this year. But these schools have trns of thousands of applicants. Having the best record possible is the goal.
If you have a high GPA and great ECs and test on the low end, this policy is a gift for you this year.
There will be many kids who cant get to the tests for valid reasons.
Hello! I just would like some more clarification… How would having a high GPA, great ECs, and a test on the low end be a “gift” this year? I feel like I fit this category but I still feel A LOT of pressure to keep studying and get a better score. Could you elaborate why this would be a good thing for students like me?
Because you may have a shot at colleges that previously may not have advanced you to the next round of review, due to your low test scores. Granted, it will help more if you are full pay or a URM.
Personally I think that if it is possible to increase your scores, doing so will keep more doors open. Still, TO will give you an opportunity you wouldn’t have had before. The issue is that you can expect there to be more applicants, as there are a lot of kids with great grades and ECs and low test scores who will also be taking advantage of this opportunity to apply without a score.
One of my kids had a SAT1 score of under 1000. That score was in the lower 25% of the test scores that most all of his colleges reported for their students. However a number of the schools he picked were FairTest schools which are test optional. He simply did not report the SAT or ACT. Yes, it was a very good thing for a student like him.
Now, had he gotten over a 1500 for that test score, maybe even 1400, it would have been to his advantage to have reported the score. When one starts getting closer to the average range of the scores, it becomes less obvious whether to report or not. It then becomes a tricky judgement call. In such cases, I’d pair up like schools and report the score to one and not the other. Say, Amherst and Williams—very like schools. Report the scores to Amherst and not to Williams. Work the list that way
@RockyPA College Confidential recently covered this topic in an article that may help answer your question. Read more here: https://insights.collegeconfidential.com/test-optional-admission