Test Score Optional Deal/Chance

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wesleyan University
1

I recently visited Wesleyan, and one of the things that attracted me the most was their optional test-score report policy. This sounded perfect to me, as I feel like my biggest weakness will be my test scores (1820 on the SAT in December, aiming for an unlikely 30 on the ACT in June).

However, I was wondering how the absence of test scores would appear to admissions. What do they look for the most? I’m trying to decide whether I have a better chance without reporting scores.

My basic overview:

-4.45 GPA weighted, 4.0 unweighted (I believe?)
-3 APs Junior year, 5 APs senior year
-Hispanic girl, first generation, Virginia native
-Marching band, Japanese club, MUN, track
-NHS, English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Japanese Governor’s School
-Ambassador for college program, Saxophone section leader, many leadership awards, 40 hours of volunteer
-Most likely drum major next year, hopefully Questbridge scholar, running for NHS president, and hopefully going to a U Chicago summer session this summer

I’m also looking into UVA and Amherst as top choices. I know my test scores will bring me down, which is why I want to know if I have hope for Wesleyan.

Mention of any other small-medium liberal arts schools like Amherst and Wesleyan that are test score optional would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

2

Go to www.fairtest.org. They list all test optional schools. You’ll find several good quality LACs in the Northeast.

3

There’s no reason Wesleyan wouldn’t give your application serious consideration without your test scores. See where they settle, however, and consider at that time whether it would be best to submit them.

“Mention of any other small-medium liberal arts schools . . . that are test-score optional”

Much of the NESCAC is currently either test optional or test flexible. I believe these colleges fall into this category: Trinity, Connecticut College, Colby, Bates, Middlebury, Hamilton, Bowdoin.

4

Smith and Mount Holyoke if you are willing to consider a women’s college.