Colleges Going Test-Optional for 2020-21 Admissions Cycle
Stay in the Know on Recent Additions to the Test-Optional School List
Between school closures and virtual campus tours, COVID-19 continues to have a profound impact on the college admissions process. In light of recent cancellations for many spring ACT and SAT exams, a number of colleges have decided to shift to a test-optional admissions process for the following year.
Curious if any of the colleges on your best-fit list are making the move to a test-optional application review process? Keep reading to learn more about which institutions are putting a pause on requirements for SAT and/or ACT scores for the 2020-21 admissions cycle.
| School | Test-Optional for: |
| Alfred University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Alma College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Amherst College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Anderson University | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Babson College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Barnard College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Baylor University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Bentley University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Bethel University | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Boston University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Buena Vista University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Butler University | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Cal State system | 2020-21 application cycle |
| California Lutheran University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Case Western Reserve University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Centre College | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 admissions cycle |
| Claremont McKenna College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Coastal Carolina University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Colgate University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University (Minnesota) | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| College of Wooster | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Cooper Union | 2-year period beginning with the 2020-21 admissions cycle |
| Concordia University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Cornell University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Davidson College | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Drury University | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Fordham University | 2-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Gonzaga University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Grand Valley State University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Hamilton College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Haverford College | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Indiana University – Bloomington | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Indiana University – South Bend | Permanently beginning in for fall 2020 admission |
| Limestone University | Fall 2020 admission |
| Loyola Marymount University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Loyola University – New Orleans | Permanently test-blind beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Macalester College | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Mansfield University | Fall 2020 admission |
| Meredith College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Middlebury College | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Millersville University | Fall 2020 admission |
| MIT | Will no longer accept SAT Subject Test scores for consideration starting with the 2020-21 admissions cycle. |
| Montana University system | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Northeastern University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Oakland University | 2-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Oberlin College | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Oregon State University | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| Pepperdine University | International students for the 2020-21 application cycle |
| Pomona College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Rhodes College | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Saginaw Valley State University | 2020-21 application cycle for students with 3.0 or higher GPA |
| Saint Louis University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Santa Clara University | 2-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Scripps College | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| St. Mary’s University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| St. Olaf College | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| St. Thomas Aquinas College | Fall 2020 admission |
| Swarthmore College | 2-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Texas Christian University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Trinity University | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Tufts University | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Tulane University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| University of California system | 2020-21 application cycle |
| University of Oregon | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| University of Richmond | 2020-21 application cycle |
| University of San Diego | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| University of Southern California | 2020-21 application cycle |
| University of Toledo | Permanently beginning in the 2020-21 cycle |
| UVA Wise | 2020-21 application cycle |
| University of Washington | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Vassar College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Villanova University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Virginia Tech | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Washington & Lee University | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Wellesley College | 2020-21 application cycle |
| Westminster College | Fall 2020 admission |
| William & Mary | 3-year period beginning with the 2020-21 cycle |
| Williams College | 2020-21 application cycle |
While there have been significant changes to the college search and application process due to COVID-19, it is possible to feel confident about your applications by doing your research and preparing accordingly. If you are in the midst of your own college search and looking for expert guidance, our team of college admissions counselors can offer personalized insight.
Also check out our IvyWise Knowledgebase for the latest updates on how COVID-19 is impacting admissions and download our free 2020-21 College Prep Guide for information and insight on how to prepare for college admissions this fall during this unusual time.