Yes! Bowdoin. Sorry for the omission.
@bklynkids. U of Chicago has just gone test optional.
Have him try a practice ACT test. He may do better with that format.
I am also going to suggest the ACT because math is only 25% of the composite score instead of half. My son had three good sections and one poor and still ended up with a 34 composite. If math is the problem, the ACT might be better.
Hamilton and Middlebury are the test-flexible NESCACs. Of these two, Hamilton requires standardized testing in both verbal and quantitative areas.
^But, apparently the definition is broad enough to include AP exams.
Thanks, this is a wise approach. He’s very specific (“picky”) in terms of locale – like a lot of NYC kids used to going everywhere on the subway, he doesn’t want to feel too isolated or separated from a sense of activity, so I’m not sure he’d do well in Allentown, but it’s good to keep in mind, especially the merit aid part!
Yes, U Chicago has just gone test optional, but I am very skeptical that a kid from, say, Scarsdale, without test scores will get the same consideration as a kid from the Bronx without test scores. IMO, there are some schools that have a long-established history of being test optional who truly do seem to be test optional. I would put Bates in that category.
@bklynkids , your son will have better options if he can be less picky:-)
Many kids learn early in the college search that being open to options outside their comfort zone gives them better choices. Compromise is a good thing.
@Wilson98 Our research from a couple years ago was that Dickinson and St Lawrence also require test scores for merit awards.
@bklynkids I completely understand about being able to get around easily on subways etc. That resonates. My kids find it beyond frustrating to have to get into a car elsewhere, when at home they can just walk out the door and get to wherever they want, whenever they want.
That’s a tough one to solve! A lot of women’s schools are test optional and they are also parts of consortia, which often have transportation to other campuses and/or city centers like Philadelphia.
Let me think about this a bit.
Okay here’s a list of test-optional schools, in or with access to a coolish town/city, with merit funding of some sort. You can check the merit amounts by googling and Then click on the “money” page to find info about merit funding amounts and percentages.
These are from the Fairtest List and maybe the list needs updating. You may need to double check just what they mean by “test optional” or “test flexible”
These numbers are on average amounts of merit, not individual awards.
Willamette University – 28% at 22K
Whitman (Walla Walla is very small town though maybe too rural)
Wheaton in Mass (40 miles from Providence) 30% at $21K
Wesleyan University – not much merit here – 21% at 25K
Ursinus – 40 miles from Philly but not on direct train line. Maybe too rural.
University of Rochester – $14K average merit for 30% of the students
Union College in Schenectedy – on Amtrak line to the City – $14K merit to 30% of students
Trinity in Hartford – 4% of students had no need and received $25K gift of merit
Temple University in Philly – 18% received $9K in merit
Susquehanna U – 20% received $22k
Rollins – 29% received $26K
Quinnipiac – 26% received $16K
Providence College – 20% received $16K
Pitzer – consortium school of some of the best schools, virtually no merit, but great need-based aid.
Marist – 30% received $9K (on MetroNorth line to NYC)
Manhattanville – 21% received $18K
Lewis and Clark – 27% received $18K
Lake Forest – just outside of Chicago – gorgeous campus – gives great merit (I’ve known people to get sizeable amounts here)
Knox College (in small but cute town) 13% received 22K
Kalamazoo – excellent Ph.D.-feeder school, 25% got $22K
Ithaca–25% received $16K
Hofstra – 20% received $20K
Hobart and WS - 32% received $14K
Goucher – 26% received $20K
Gettysburg – 18% received $16K
George Washington – 29% received $20K
Fairleigh Dickinson – 11% received 18K
Emerson in Boston – 24% received 14K
Earlham College – 9% received $25K
**** Drew University – first it’s sticker price is lower than most. Also for merit: 18% received $21K****
Clark University – 34% received 19K
Champlain – 8% received 10K
Bucknell – 11% received 11K
Bryant – 11% received 16K
Brandeis – 10% received 14K
Bard – 1% get 21K
American – 8% get $14K
Southwestern University, an LAC in Georgetown, Texas, is going test-optional:
https://www.southwestern.edu/live/news/13236-southwestern-university-adopts-a-test-optional
My 26-year-old DS graduated from SU in 2016.
so question-- we looked at a test-optional school. Their average ACT score is 1 point higher than what my child has but she has perfect scores in reading/english…do we submit them? Do they hurt because the composite is lower than their average or will the perfect scores in the area she wants to study help?
University of San Francisco is going test optional for fall 2020 applicants.
@cgpm59 I also like Southwestern U in Texas! Great school!
@parent1973 wrote:
I would absolutely submit those scores. Only when your scores fall below their 25th percentile should you question whether or not to send.
If you do not send, they might assume your scores are below the 25th percentile.
Just my opinion.
In San Francisco, there is also San Francisco State University, which is a non-impacted CSU campus, which means that SAT/ACT is optional for California residents with a 3.00 HS GPA or non-residents with a 3.61 HS GPA (see https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/Pages/testing-requirements.aspx ) and who are not applying for an impacted major (listed at http://future.sfsu.edu/sites/default/files/pdfs/IMPACTED-MAJOR-GRID-Fall-2019.pdf ).
However, the student in question has SAT score of 700/600, which is likely at the high end of the range at SFSU, USF, and many other test-optional colleges.
Not quite sure Trinity College is not listed but it is truly test optional and commits a lot of resources on the part of the admissions to truly examine each applicant in detail. The results of going entirely test optional have reflected that testing has not been necessary to attract a student body that is academically excellent and intellectually curious and culturally aware.
Here is the official note on test optional.
“As of fall 2015, Trinity College does not require the SAT or ACT for all students applying for admission. In keeping with its commitment to a student-centered and thoughtful approach to admissions evaluation, Trinity College has developed a highly personalized process that allows the readers of your file to get to know you not just for your grades and curriculum, but for who you really are. The admissions committee will personally review your application to determine your academic preparation, the level and quality of your extracurricular activities and your potential fit with our community. The college uses a holistic approach to student admissions with emphasis placed on high school transcripts, recommendation letters, leadership positions, work history, involvement in school and community activities, and other characteristics that predict success. The college is test-optional, providing students the opportunity to present application material that accurately reflects their diverse academic talents and potential. Students can submit either the SAT or the ACT if they feel their results best represent their academic potential. The admission committee makes no assumptions as to why some students choose to submit scores while others don’t. All students are given equal consideration in the admission process.”