The college application process is a stressful time for students, with 60 percent of high school students reporting that they feel overwhelmed with the experience, according to highereddive.com. Therefore, students applying to college should be aware of the recent changes that colleges have implemented in the past few years. In the United States (US), the majority of universities have altered their policies regarding standardized test scores, which are now optional instead of a requirement. Traditionally, universities used these scores to make admissions decisions, leading students to worry about their American College Testing (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. Additionally, other changes include an increase in the size of the applicant pool, a decrease in acceptance rates, and a shift to early action, according to theweek.com. Fortunately, the recent changes in the admissions process are positive and help relieve students of pressure.
The diminished role of standardized test scores is a major update to the college admission process. In fact, over 80 percent of colleges in the US no longer require students to submit SAT or ACT scores, according to theweek.com. This is a positive change because rather than studying and stressing about standardized tests, students can focus on the quality of their coursework and develop other individualized elements of their application, such as their personal statements and resumes. In addition, students who might have felt discouraged from applying due to unsatisfactory test results now have the opportunity to apply to schools without disclosing their SAT or ACT scores.
It is important to note, though, that high test scores can still be quite advantageous even if a school does not require students to submit their SAT or ACT results. Experts in college admissions still encourage students to take the SAT or ACT at least once, according to usnews.com. If one performs well on the test, colleges can utilize that student’s scores to elevate the application. However, if a student takes a test and does not do well, then it does not need to be submitted, which minimizes some of the pressure students feel to earn high scores.
With the majority of US colleges going test-optional, universities have seen a significant increase in the number of applicants in the last three years. Both selective schools and schools with higher acceptance rates have declining admission rates. For instance, Boston University’s acceptance rate dropped from 18.3 percent to 14 percent and Auburn University’s dropped from 85 percent to 24 percent during the 2021 and 2022 admissions cycles, according to collegedata.com. Unfortunately, these changes in the number of applicants for colleges can increase anxiety for students because more students than ever are applying to college.
In such a competitive environment, experts argue that students should not assume acceptance to any given school. More selective admission rates have led to an increased number of students applying through early action or early decision processes. By waiting to submit an application until the regular decision stage, a student’s chances of acceptance may decrease, according to collegedata.com. Yet, students should weigh the pros and cons of applying early. Some drawbacks of applying early include fewer opportunities to build and polish applications, research colleges, and compare financial aid packages. However, regardless of whether students apply early or regular decision, they still do not have to worry as much about test scores and retaking tests.
Although the college application process will unlikely ever be completely stress-free, students now benefit from the test-optional policies that colleges began to implement during the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants should also consider the value of applying early or regular decision. Ultimately, while the shift toward optional test score submission may decrease stress in the application process, students should remain aware of the current admissions climate and ongoing changes.
Featured Image by Olivia Flynn ’25
