The SAT May Be Optional, But It’s Still Important for Many Top Schools
written by Geoff Barto
Many schools have relaxed or reduced requirements for standardized tests to apply to college. But leading colleges still require them or consider them an important factor in admissions, and for good reason. It’s easy to look at transcripts, AP credits and extracurricular activities for students from top-tier high schools and identify their potential for success. But according to Dean of Yale Admissions, Jeremiah Quinlan, “A policy that results in increased emphasis on these elements, we found, has the effect of advantaging the advantaged.” That’s why Yale is now requiring standardized test scores again. They do allow AP and IB scores, in addition to SAT scores, but see SAT scores as a way for students from under-resourced schools to show their potential.
While Yale is experimenting with new ways to use standardized tests, a number of other top schools still require them, or require them again. US News and World Report recently compiled a list of top colleges from their well-known rankings guide where you must take the SAT or ACT to apply. MIT, Harvard, Brown and Dartmouth lead the list. Top liberal arts colleges that require the SAT or ACT include both West Point and the Air Force Academy, as well as Georgetown.
In California, the UC system and Cal State systems are test-blind. For Pomona College, Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, University of Southern California and Stanford, standardized tests are recommended but not required. At present, CalTech is the best known California University that requires a standardized test, but starting with the 2029 class, Stanford will as well.
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