Life After Test-Optional

Washington—Much has been said about the mystique of the SAT, the nation’s most infamous test. But there’s also a sense of mystery about colleges that don’t require applicants to submit standardized-test scores. A common question: How, exactly, do admissions staffs at such colleges evaluate the applications of non-submitters? And what’s life after dropping testing requirements?

At the College Board’s annual conference here, several admissions officers at “test-optional” colleges have shared some answers. Melissa Falk, associate dean of admission and financial aid at Muhlenberg College, said reading the files of a non-submitter requires more time than reading the files of other applicants. That’s because Muhlenberg requires applicants who don’t send their scores to submit a copy of a graded paper, and to participate in an interview, either in person or by telephone. “It adds another level of subjectivity,” Ms. Falk said.

Typically, colleges that go test-optional must do a lot of explaining, to faculty members, alumni, high-school counselors, prospective applicants, and—last, but not least—campus tour guides. The message? “This doesn’t mean standards are diminished,” Ms. Falk said.

At Muhlenberg, the admissions staff has had to answer questions about which kinds of graded papers are most appropriate for consideration. Some students have sent essays written in other languages, papers with mathematical equations (who doesn’t love vectors?), and, according to Ms. Falk, “a 50-page bound book wrapped in bows.” She may have been kidding about that last detail, but then again, maybe not.

After Goucher College dropped its testing requirement three years ago, admissions officers started to look more closely at applicants’ level of interest, said Kimberly Gordy, assistant director of admissions and coordinator of minority recruitment. Goucher has also added optional application questions that ask students why they’re interested in attending the college, and what other institutions they’re applying to.

Ms. Gordy agreed that colleges must carefully explain the details of their policies, given that “test-optional” means different things on different campuses. It’s a reminder that some families might be downright skeptical of the notion that little Susie’s sterling ACT score isn’t considered a crucial piece of information at a given college.

Jennifer Gayles, assistant director of admission and coordinator of multicultural recruitment at Sarah Lawrence College, said it can be hard to explain that her institution doesn’t use standardized-test scores at all. Especially when she’s talking to parents of students with high scores. Sometimes, she said, baffled moms and dads ask her, “Well, what do you look at?”