Class of 2012 alum here. I for one applaud UChicago’s test-optional move. When I applied for college in 2008, I didn’t have the best scores. I had always struggled with these exams, particularly SAT I. (My critical reading score was below the University’s 10th percentile at the time, even after 6 months of exam prep using free resources.) I’m not dumb; I just couldn’t seem to do well on the SAT for whatever reasons. Yet, UChicago took a chance on me, and I’m eternally grateful. Worked my butt off during undergrad, graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and went on to pursue an MD/PhD at a top 5 medical school. My story serves as a perfect example of how standardized testing does not necessarily predict college success.
Given my experience, I’m inclined to agree with what @hftarete wrote:
I sincerely hope that this new test-optional policy will enable UChicago to accept students like me – students who have that “quirky spark” it’s looking for but may have sub-par standardized exam performance.
Note: Dean Ted O’Neil really did walk the walk. All athletes at UChicago are student-athletes. They’re not pros, and our high SAT/ACT average simply reflects that fact.