15 Test-Optional Questions to Ask Admissions Officers To Decide Whether to Apply Test-Optional

Will I be disadvantaged if I apply test-optional?

My answer is, “it depends.”

My friend Akil advocates for one approach which comes down to whether you are a good test taker and also takes into consideration where you are applying. Compass Prep has analyzed the test-optional trends and has another approach that takes into consideration admit rate. My friend Anna Ivey admits test-optional policies are confusing and admissions officers need to be clearer. She also advocates for reading the fine print of every test-optional policy.

Last year, I co-hosted a lot of test-free chats. I remember Jonathan Burdick, Vice Provost of Cornell, discussing how perfect scores don’t always lead to acceptance and how the argument of “who gets in” doesn’t come down to scores for Cornell. Recently, I spoke with UVA’s Dean Jeannine Lalonde (aka UVA Dean J) who compared grades and class rigor to scoops of ice cream and the SAT/ACT score is a sprinkle on top, a sprinkle is not always necessary and a good score doesn’t make up for low grades. She said she spent 4 seconds looking at SAT/ACT scores in the past and saves 4 seconds when students apply test-optional.

What do I advise? I have advised students to submit in some places and not others.

How do I decide where to apply test-optional and where to submit scores? I ASK.

I ask admissions directly whether a certain score should be submitted or left off. I also have the students and/or parents/guardians/caretakers follow up with questions. Sometimes they even ask about a particular score. I have even had instances when the score was too low to submit and the student was advised to submit without a score, they got accepted test-optional. There was no harm in asking. I found the colleges who want scores are transparent when you ask. Colleges that don’t care about scores are also pretty transparent and will redirect you to things that matter (grades, other activities, etc).

How do you ask?

I have found 15 different approaches and questions to ask admissions officers about test-optional. But first, let’s go over what I recommend, step-by- step.

STEP 1

Take a real SAT or ACT test. I hate practice tests, I don’t think they are very accurate. You know a practice test is not real and that influences the results. So if it is safe to test, take the test.

STEP 2

Make a list based on where you ACTUALLY want to go to college/university- don’t worry about making sure your SAT/ACT score is in range. Need help? Jon Boeckenstedt has a tool for that and here is his explanation

QUESTIONS TO ASK ADMISSIONS TO DETERMINE IF TEST-OPTIONAL PUTS YOU AT A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE

(AKA IS TEST-OPTIONAL REALLY OPTIONAL OR GOOD/BAD)

STEP 3

Once you get your score back contact EVERY SINGLE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ON YOUR LIST. Here is how my students usually present it:

“Hi, I am interested in your college. I took my first SAT/ACT and got a [insert score]. I do/do not feel it reflects what I can do in the classroom. I am considering testing again and maybe even paying for test-prep so I can do my best. But I have some questions (choose the ones that feel right for you- don’t need to ask all 15):

1. How do you all use the SAT/ACT?

2. At what stage is the SAT/ACT used?

3. What factors should I consider when deciding whether or not to Apply with/without test scores?

4. How often have you denied a student on the basis of the SAT/ACT score?

5. How often have you had a situation where you weren't going to admit a student but the test score helped/hurt?

6. How often have you had a situation where the score gave a student a competitive advantage?

7. Are students with SAT/ACT scores more competitive BECAUSE of the test scores?

8. Is the SAT/ACT Score Ever used as the deciding factor between students with similar profiles?

9. Has a student ever moved from denied/waitlist to admitted based on their score or vice versa?

10. Will not submitting a score hurt my chances of getting merit aid/scholarships?

11. What is your admitted student SAT and ACT range and your enrolled SAT/ACT range?

12. Would you advise I pay for test-prep or even self-study to improve this score?

13. If you do advise I keep testing- what score should I try to achieve?

14. How do I know if I am a good candidate for test-optional?

15. Should I move forward with more testing?

BONUS QUESTIONS

Is Test-Optional Really Optional

Have you ever rejected a student with a perfect score (if I get a perfect score after all of this will it secure my acceptance)

FYI: I have had students who got a perfect score and still were rejected after a ton of time, a lot of stress, and after making a huge financial investment. A perfect score does not guarantee anything in terms of acceptance.

That’s it. Don’t email these questions. Ask via phone, on a video visit, or during a visit. It is hard to interpret an email but is not as difficult to interpret when a person is speaking to you. You can also ask follow-up questions if you call, video visit, have a real visit.

And feel free to ask these questions to more than one admissions officer. See if the answers differ. Admissions officers are used to being peppered with questions.

Here is a graphic if you need it.

Edit: Got a great addition from Erin Alexa on twitter: Twitter user @erin_alexa_ "these questions are great, I'd add asking if test scores are more important for certain majors (one of the most rejective colleges said they were more important for STEM majors to my students this year)”