WASHINGTON — It’s one of the most agonizing parts of high school — preparing for and taking the SAT and ACT. The standardized tests have long been a requirement for college applications, but now a D.C. university is deeming the tests optional.
George Washington University announced Monday it is doing away with the requirement that students submit their ACT or SAT scores as part of their application.
The change is music to many students ears — especially those who don’t test as well as they’d like.
“We hope the test-optional policy sends a message to prospective students that if you are smart, hard-working and have challenged yourself in a demanding high school curriculum, there could be a place for you here,” Laurie Koehler, senior associate provost for enrollment management and co-chair of the Access Committee, said in a statement.
The decision to drop the test requirement was announced to the GW community initially and takes effect Aug. 1. The first class affected will be those applying for the 2016/2017 school year.
GW joins hundreds of colleges in the trend, including American University and George Mason University.
“We had concerns that students who could be successful at GW felt discouraged from applying if their scores were not as strong as their high school performance,” Dean of Admissions Karen Stroud Felton said in the statement.
