Wow!  There’s HUGE news in the world of college admissions on today.  Specifically, “A shake-up in elite admissions: U-Chicago drops SAT/ACT testing requirement.”[1]

U-Chicago is arguably the most high-profile institution to join this illustrious list.  But we knew that the tide was turning when Wake Forest and George Washington dropped their testing requirements in 2008 and 2015 respectively.  In addition, per FairTest “there are more than 1000 accredited College and Universities that do not use ACT/SAT scores to admit substantial numbers of students into bachelor-degree programs.”[2]

Moreover, a 20-year study published in 2005 by Bates College noted the following:

1. “The difference in Bates graduation rates between submitters and non-submitters is 0.1% (one-tenth of one percent).
2. The difference in overall GPAs at Bates is .05 (five-hundredths of a GPA point); the exact difference is 3.06 for non-submitters and 3.11 for submitters.
3. Bates has almost doubled its applicant pool since making testing optional; about a third of each class at Bates enters without submitting testing in the admissions process.”[3]

In the end, as a minority-owned business that works with a diverse population of students, we believe that this is good news for high-achieving, economically disadvantaged students who attend schools with limited resources and/or can not afford the test prep services that are deemed routine and customary by their non-economically disadvantaged peers; thereby, leaving a very unlevel playing field when it comes to college admissions.  Perhaps U-Chicago’s Dean of Admissions says it best, ““Testing is not the be-all and the end-all,” said James G. Nondorf, U-Chicago’s dean of admissions and financial aid. He said he didn’t want “one little test score” to end up “scaring students off” who are otherwise qualified.”[4] 

Bravo, U-Chicago!  Bravo!!

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/a-shake-up-in-elite-admissions-u-chicago-drops-satact-testing-requirement/2018/06/13/442a5e14-6efd-11e8-bd50-b80389a4e569_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.aae9ed333523

[2] https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional

[3] https://www.bates.edu/news/2005/10/01/sat-study/

[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/a-shake-up-in-elite-admissions-u-chicago-drops-satact-testing-requirement/2018/06/13/442a5e14-6efd-11e8-bd50-b80389a4e569_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.aae9ed333523