TEST OPTIONAL DURING COVID-19

The college application process has been altered due to COVID-19, and it has been understandably confusing for students and parents to make sense of it all.  One aspect to focus on in this blog is exploring what it means for a college to be test optional.  At this time, the majority of colleges who have stated that they will be test optional for the class of 2021 will still be accepting test scores should students decide to submit them.  There is a difference between test optional, where colleges will look at test scores that are submitted, and test blind where colleges will not look at test scores submitted.  Therefore, students will need to consider their application as a whole to determine if they want test scores to be considered in the review of their application at test optional colleges.  

Some aspects for students to consider include the GPA, the overall trend of the grades in high school, class rigor, letters of recommendation (for colleges that use these), activities, family circumstances, essays, etc.  These are all important elements of an application, and test scores are just one piece for colleges to consider.  Think through your application and how your test scores will fit into conveying to colleges who you are as a student and how you can contribute to a college campus.  Each student will be different in this proces, so think about what will be best for you and your specific situation. This article speaks further on this topic.