How to Get Into Columbia 3 Key Tips

How to Get Into Columbia 3 Key Tips SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Columbia University is a prestigious school, not just because of its low acceptance rate or high starting salary for graduates. It’s one of the oldest colleges in the US, and has had huge numbers of well-known graduates, including Founding Fathers, famous directors, and politicians. Like any Ivy League, Columbia is a place for both education and networking, creating a solid foundation and social circle for your future career. But first, you have to know how to get into Columbia. And with a school and selective as Columbia, that’s going to be difficult- but not impossible. Follow this guide to get your college application in shape for a Columbia acceptance! What Should I Know About Columbia? If you’re reading this, you probably already know that people want to go to Columbia because it’s a prestigious college with a long and important history. It’s an Ivy League school, granting it a reputation of academic excellence; with a degree for Columbia on your resume and the connections you make there, you’ll have an edge in the job market. Columbia is also one of the most selective colleges in the United States. Only Harvard and Stanford have lower acceptance rates, so you’ll be competing for spots with some of the brightest minds in the country. Columbia students tend to major in STEM programs like Engineering or Computer Sciences, with around eight percent more students choosing a STEM degree as their first choice than choosing Arts, Humanities, or Social Science.But Columbia is also the alma mater of many prominent artistic figures- Kerouac, Ginsberg, Katherine Bigelow, Langston Hughes, and Art Garfunkel, to name a few. It’s ranked as the top college for English studies, second best for performing arts, and second for philosophy- despite enrolling slightly more STEM undergrads, Columbia is by no means exclusively a STEM-focused college. Its Arts and Social Sciences departments are highly regarded, and students shouldn’t feel like pursuing something other than a STEM field puts them at a disadvantage. Enrollment will be competitive no matter what, so if you want to go to Columbia, apply! Don't let fear of rejection stop you from applying! How Hard Is It to Get Into Columbia? Columbia’s low acceptance rate is part of why it’s such a prestigious school. If it was easy to get in, it wouldn’t carry so much academic and social clout! Reported rates vary from year to year, but you can be that the acceptance rate in a given year will be 6 percent or lower.For the class of 2022, Columbia reported an acceptance rate of 5.5 percent, so just about six students for every 100 applicants will receive a treasured acceptance letter. Because Columbia considers applications holistically, every part of the application matters. Good standardized test scores and an excellent grade point average are essential, but don’t make the mistake of assuming your chance of acceptance is based entirely on those two factors. What GPA and SAT/ACT Scores Do I Need to Get Into Columbia? Columbia is an Ivy League, so you need an excellent GPA and SAT/ACT score. Positive study habits and test preparation are a must. That said, don’t despair if your grades don’t quite match up with Columbia’s expectations. Again, they consider applications holistically; if you can explain your grades, demonstrate growth, and impress with extracurriculars, you still have a chance. Think of admissions to Columbia as a race. Some people may have worked on theoretical racing so much that they have little experience in actually running. Other racers have lots of experience in running, but lack the finesse of runners who’ve been coached by professionals. Any of those runners could conceivably win, but those with a mixture of both experience and theoretical knowledge will have an advantage. Essentially, don’t be afraid that poor grades in your sophomore year have ruined your chances forever. If you can prove that Columbia is truly the school for you, you still have a chance; you’ll just have some extra hurdles to jump! What's the Average SAT Score for Columbia Students? The average SAT score for Columbia students is between 1460 and 1550, making the college extremely competitive. Remember, this is an average- it’s not the only score you can have, as students who score about that will have a little extra boost, and students who score below that will have to demonstrate how well they’ll succeed elsewhere in the application. This is why it’s important to get started on SAT prep early. If your first score misses the mark, you can always try again. Spending some time prepping for the SAT will help you get closer to your score goal, and therefore closer to holding that coveted acceptance letter in your hand. If you want good scores, you'll have to study hard. What's the Average ACT Score for Columbia Students? Columbia is similarly selective with ACT scores. The average ACT score is 34, making Columbia University extremely competitive. As with SAT scores, it’s important to get started on preparing early. Don’t wait until junior or senior year to start thinking about your scores if you plan to attend Columbia- you’re up against some of the brightest minds in the world, so you need to lock in a good score through lots of studying and practice. Columbia reports their scores as between 33 and 35, so while you might have a little bit of wiggle room, a higher score is always better. Study like a perfect score is the only one that’ll get you in, but know that your test scores aren’t the only factor in your acceptance. What's the Average GPA for Columbia Students? Columbia'saverage GPA is a whopping 4.16.What this means is that you’ll need to be taking heavier weighted courses, typically AP or honors courses, to be competitive with other prospective Columbia students. Again, it’s not impossible to get in if you don’t have a GPA above 4.0- it also depends on if your school weights GPAs- but reaching for as high of scores as possibly certainly won’t hurt your chances. Study hard in your first couple years of high school to ensure that you’re prepared for the advanced courses you’ll need to push your GPA to a Columbia-approved level. Remember, your school may weight AP courses more, so a B in an AP course might mean more than an A in a standard course. Don’t despair if your grades aren’t perfect in AP courses, but do always strive for the best, and set yourself up for success. You simply can’t earn a 4.16 GPA if you’re not in AP courses, so plan to take them. Though Columbia doesn’t offer average GPAs for its acceptance rates, it does state that over 90 percent of its accepted students were in the top 10 percent of their class. Don’t take that to mean that being in the top 10 percent is enough- remember, 90 percent of the students you’re competing with are also in that same demographic. You need to excel and stand out. Because Columbia is holistic, everything counts. But one Ivy League college admissions officer has revealed a little secret- everything counts, but the most important thing to not do poorly on is your GPA. This is general advice for Ivy Leagues, not specifically Columbia, but don’t discount your GPA as a vital factor in getting accepted to Columbia. Having a distinct skill- like doing VR while riding a bike- sets you apart from other applicants. What Extracurriculars Should I Have to Get Into Columbia? Your competition is not necessarily every single student who applies to Columbia. Your competition is every student like you- students who have your GPA, your SAT score, your diversity of extracurriculars. So find a way to stand out from the pack; what areas do you excel in? And if you don’t excel now, what can you do to target your application to be less of a Renaissance applicant and more of a specialist? Consider the â€Å"spike† approach to applying to college. A variety of skills is great, but most applicants will also have good grades, test scores, and multiple extracurriculars. To stand out, you want something memorable- a spike in your well-roundedness. If you have an interest spike, an area where you particularly excel or that emphasizes your dedication to a certain field, you can tie much of your application to that spike and make your application more memorable. The essay section may be stressful, but it's also your best opportunity to shine. How to Answer Columbia's Essays Writing a good answer to the â€Å"Why Columbia† essay is essential. The admissions office already knows Columbia is a good school, so use this space to explain why it’s the right school for you and how you’ll contribute to the community there. Again, this is a great place to return to your spike to tie things together. Be sure to emphasize your own personal experience in your essay. Reading successful Columbia application essays is a great way to get a feel for what Columbia likes to see, and to better understand how personal details can change the entire feel of an essay. How to Answer Columbia's Supplemental Writing Questions Columbia’s further supplemental questions may seem unusual compared to other colleges; they ask about books you’ve read, concerts you’ve attended, and so on. Be honest, here- though your temptation might be to reach for the most sophisticated answers, this is an opportunity for the college to get to know you better. If your favorite concert of the year was indeed the obscure bassoon recital you attended, by all means, list it. But don’t write in the prestigious documentary du jour if you have no interest in watching it. That said, Hop on Pop is not a grade-appropriate choice, so do try to choose things that represent your interests and your age level. Should You Include Supplementary Material? Certain majors accept supplementary materials, such as some scientific fields, artistic disciplines, or performance-based majors. Students with research experience, you can include an abstract to flesh out your application. Students in the arts can include a portfolio, but should be aware that there is an additional fee- this fee can be waived, but Coalition Application students will need to email the school directly for a fee waiver. Good recommendation letters are a key part of how to get into Columbia. What Recommendation Letters Should You Have? Columbia requires three recommendation letters: one from a counselor, and two from teachers. Though Columbia does accept supplemental letters of recommendation, students should only do so if the source is academic and if the letter will add something new to your application. More isn't always better. Teachers, coaches, and other mentor figures are great options for letters of recommendation. Be sure that you’re setting your teachers up to write you a great letter by asking early and providing them with any information they might need. Take a look at letters that got students into Ivy League schools for the caliber of recommendations you should strive for. Take note of how these teachers write about personality as well as academics- select teachers who have the same knowledge of your personality and skills so they’re equipped to write about you with the same depth. Before you take out loans, apply for financial aid! What Should You Know About Applying for Financial Aid? Columbia takes a need-blind approach to processing applications from US citizens, undocumented students, and eligible non-US citizens. International students are processed as need-aware, meaning there may be some consideration of financial need while processing the application.Columbia meets 100 percent of student need and does so without loans. Students whose parents or guardians make under $60,000 annually are considered to have a $0 parental contribution, which will instead be made up with financial aid. Columbia has a helpful tool for students to determine what documentation and forms they'll need based on when they're applying, their citizenship status, and what year they're applying for. Use this early to be sure that you can get all your paperwork done ahead of time! Recap: How to Get Into Columbia University Applying to Ivy League schools like Columbia University can be incredibly stressful. You know you're up against the best, and setting yourself apart can feel like an insurmountable task. But you can do it. Start early. Think about what you want your application to look like before you start working on it, and take steps to prepare for the advanced courses, test scores, and extracurriculars you need. If you're already later in your academic career, change what you can now and start thinking about how you can address gaps in your personal statement. Read a ton. Stay on top of changes to the application, new prompts, and what's most advisable for students like you. Assuming all your grades are in order and your test results are on track, start preparing for your essays. Of course, the prompts may not be available yet- consult past and current essays and start thinking about how you'll answer similar questions. Create a spike. Remember, every other student applying to Columbia is also concerned about having great grades, AP courses, and test scores. If you're competing against the best of the best, you need to stand out. Instead of being well-rounded, develop a particular area of expertise, something that will set you apart from other students and really showcase what makes you unique. What’s Next? Learn more about what makes Columbia one of the most selective colleges in the United States, and how it compares to other selective schools. If you're applying to multiple Ivy Leagues, it's a good idea to know your chances at each! Columbia is one of the country's most selective schools. Even if you're only interested in Columbia, learning more about how to get into other selective schools, such as Harvard, can give you additional insight into how to polish up your application. Knowing the essay requirements is just the beginning. More in-depth reading about the topics and how to answer them will give you an even stronger shot at impressing the admissions office. Want to get into Columbia or your personal top choice college? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Complete Guide Colleges Not Requiring SAT Scores

Complete Guide Colleges Not Requiring SAT Scores SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Not all admissions processes are created equal. One major point of difference among colleges these days is how admissions officers consider your SAT scores. More and more schools are de-emphasizing SAT scores as part of your application with test-optional and test-flexible policies. One college has even eliminated SAT scorescompletely! There are now more than 1,000 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions that have changed their approaches to standardized test scores. Keep in mind that the majority of colleges, especially the more prestigious schools, do still require (and strongly consider) SAT scores. Let’s take a look at the different score policies and the schools that no longer require applicants to submit their SAT scores for admission. // What Is Test Optional? A test-optional policy leaves the decision up to youas to whether or not you want to send SAT scores to a school.In other words, SAT-optional colleges do not require you to send your scores. Instead, you must decide whether or not your test results are an accurate representation of your academic ability and potential. // Just as with the rest of your application, you can be purposeful in crafting your candidacy to a test-optional college. This leaves you with more choice and control over how you can present your strengths to admissions officers. // Some highly ranked SAT-optional schools include the following: Bates College Bowdoin College Bryn Mawr College The George Washington University Hofstra University Pitzer College (for students with a ≠¥3.5 unweighted GPA or who are in the top 10% of their high school class) Sarah Lawrence College Smith College (for US citizens/permanent residents) University of Chicago University of Iowa Wake Forest University Wesleyan University (for students attending US/Canadian high schools) Scroll down to see the full list of colleges that do not require SAT scores. // What Is Test Flexible? While a test-flexible policy requires you to send test scores, it might allow for different options in place of the SAT.For example, some schools might waive their test requirements if you meet a minimum GPA or are applying to a specific program, while others mightlet you send AP scores or SAT Subject Test scores in lieu of general SAT scores. // The rationale is that these scores can demonstrate subject mastery and therefore reveal your own particular academic interests and motivations. NYU’s test-flexible policy, for example, states the following: "To be eligible for admission, you must submit one of the following: SAT(essay test not required) ACT(writing test not required) ThreeSAT Subject Testscores ThreeAP examscores International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma ThreeIB higher-level examscores if not an IB Diploma candidate Certain international qualifications that shows you completed your secondary education." // Because the specifics of test-flexible policies can vary from school to school,you should check with your colleges of interest to make sure you're fulfilling the application requirements. This info should be available on each school’s website, but if not, definitely call and speak to an admissions officer directly. You’ll not only get the info you need but also demonstrate your interest and a proactive approach to the college,which could ultimately help you stand out from other applicants. // Some highly ranked test-flexible schools include the following: Brandeis University (for US and Canada citizens/permanent residents) Colby College Colorado College Hamilton College Middlebury College New York University (NYU) You'll find more test-flexible schools on the full list below. // What Is Test Blind? Currently, there is only one college that has a test-blind policy- meaning, it does not want you to send any test scores at all. This school is Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. According tothe school's policy, Hampshire will reject any and all score reports sent in: "Unlike 'test-optional' institutions, we will not consider SAT/ACT scores regardless of the score. Even if it's a perfect score, it will not weigh into our assessment of an applicant." As you can see, schools have differentapproaches to SAT scores and how much they weigh into your application (if at all). // Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of all schools not requiring the SAT, as well as a list of top-tier test-optional and test-flexible colleges. When applying to college, make sure to explore allthe different policies for standardized tests. // Top-Tier Schools That De-emphasize the SAT In this section, we've listed 320+top-tier liberal arts colleges and research universities that de-emphasize the SAT. Some of these schools are test flexible, some are test optional, and others have guaranteed admission based on GPA or class rank. By top tier, we mean any school ranked among the top 250 on the US News lists for best liberal arts colleges, best national universities, best regional universities, orbest regional colleges. All schools are numbered according to their ranking and region. // Take a look and see if any schools you're interested in are on these lists! Since they are quite long, you can also search directly for a school of interest with the ctrl + F function on your keyboard. National Liberal Arts Colleges 3. Bowdoin College (ME) 6. Middlebury College (VT) "Test Flexible" 12. Colby College (ME) "Test Flexible" 12. Smith College (MA) 18. Hamilton College (NY) "Test Flexible" 21. Wesleyan University (CT) 23. Bates College 23. Colorado College (CO) "Test Flexible 32. Bryn Mawr (PA) 33. College of the Holy Cross (MA) 33. Pitzer College (CA) 36. Mount Holyoke College (MA) 36. Union College (NY) 39. Franklin and Marshall College (PA) 41. SewaneeUniversity of the South (TN) 41. Skidmore College (NY) 41. Whitman College (WA) 44. Trinity College (CT) 46. Bard College (NY) 46. Connecticut College (CT) 46. Denison University (OH) 46. Gettysburg College (PA) 53. Furman University (SC) 53. St. John's College (MD) 53. Sarah Lawrence College (NY) 58. Lawrence University (WI) 58. St. Lawrence University (NY) 61. Agnes Scott College (GA) 65. Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY) 68. Earlham College (IN) 68. University of Puget Sound (WA) 71. Knox College (IL) 71. Muhlenberg College (PA) 71. Wofford College (SC) 76. Beloit College (WI) 76. Kalamazoo College (MI) 76. Lewis and Clark (OR) 76. St. John's College (NM) 76. Wheaton College (MA) 82. Allegheny College (PA) 82. Willamette University (OR) 85. Gustavus Adolphus (MN) 87. Bennington College (VT) 87. Cornell College (IA) 87. Transylvania University (KY) 93. Austin College (TX) 93. College of the Atlantic (ME) 93. Ursinus College (PA) 96. Washington College (MD) 101. Augustana College (IL) 101. Lake Forest College (IL) 101. Ohio Wesleyan University (OH) 101. St. Mary's College (IN) 106. Juniata College (PA) 106. St. Anselm College (NH) 106. St. Michael's College (VT) 106. Washington Jefferson College (PA) 1. Stonehill College (MA) 2. Drew University (NJ) 2. Goucher College (MD) 2. Hanover College (IN) 7. Ripon College (WI) 7. Elizabethtown College (PA) 7. Marlboro College (VT) 123. Birmingham-Southern College (AL) 123. Presbyterian College (SC) 128. Whittier College (CA) 134. McDaniel College (MD) 134. Siena College (NY) 134. Sweet Briar College (VA) 138. Illinois College (IL) 138. Roanoke College (VA) 141. Hiram College (OH) 141. Susquehanna University (PA) 147. Bard College at Simon's Rock (MA) 147. Houghton College (NY) 147. Lycoming College (PA) 147. William Jewell College (MO) 158. Doane University (NB) 158. Wittenberg University (OH) 160. Guilford College (NC) 160. Warren Wilson College (NC) 163. Carthage College 165. Elmira College (NY) 159. Hartwick College (NY) 168. College of Idaho 168. Wells College (NY) National Universities 3. University of Chicago (IL) 27. Wake Forest University (NC) 30. New York University (NY) "Test Flexible" 34. Brandeis University (MA) 34. University of Rochester (NY) "Test Flexible) 56. The George Washington University (DC) 56. Univ. of Texas – Austin (TX) "Top 8%" 61. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA) 69. American University (DC) 69. Texas AM University (TX) "Top 10%" 81. Clark University (MA) 81. University of Delaware (DE) 94. Drexel University (PA) "Test Flexible" 5. Arizona State University (AZ) 5. Temple University 120. DePaul University (IL) 120. Duquesne University (PA) 120. The Catholic University of America (DC) 124. University of Arizona (AZ) 132. Hofstra University (NY) 133. New School (NY) 140. George Mason University (VA) 140. Washington State University (WA) "Top 10%" 145. Kansas State University (KS) 145. University of Mississippi (MS) 145. Univ. Texas- Dallas (TX) "Top 10%" 156. University of Massachusetts- Lowell (MA) 165. Immaculata University (PA) 165. Maryville University of St. Louis (MO) 165. St. John's University (NY) 171. Mississippi State University (MS) 171. Rowan University (NJ) 171. Virginia Commonwealth University (VA) 176. University of Hartford (CT) 176. Texas Tech University (TX) "Top 10%" 187. Azusa Pacific University (CA) 187. Ball State University (IN) 187. Montclair State University (NJ) 192. University of Houston (TX) "Top 10%" 202. University of NevadaReno (NV) 202. California State. University- Fullerton (CA) 202. University of MassachusettsBoston (MA) 207. University of Alaska- Fairbanks (AK) 216. South Dakota State University (SD) 223. California State University- Fresno (CA) 223. University of South Dakota (SD) Regional Universities North 1. Providence College (RI) 3. Fairfield University (CT) 4. Loyola University (MD) 6. University of Scranton (PA) 7. Emerson College (MA) 8. Ithaca College (NY) 9. Marist College (NY) 10. Bryant College (RI) . Saint Joseph's University (PA) 13. Quinnipiac University (CT) 17. Le Moyne College (NY) 24. Lebanon Valley College (PA) 28. Assumption College (MA) 28. Hood College (MD) 28. Nazareth College (NY) 34. Endicott College (MA) 34. La Salle University (PA) 37. Roger Williams University (RI) 37. Salve Regina University (RI) 37. Wagner College (NY) 41. Sacred Heart University (CT) 41. Stockton University (NJ) 48. Mercyhurst University (PA) 48. Niagara University (NY) 56. Merrimack College (MA) 56. Notre Dame of Maryland University (MD) 56. Seton Hill University (PA) 62. King's College (PA) 64. DeSales University (PA) 64. Johnson and Wales University (RI) 64. Western New England University (MA) 75. Chatham University (PA) 78. Roberts Wesleyan College (PA) 78. Salisbury University (MD) 78. University of New England (ME) 78. University of Saint Joseph (CT) 86. Eastern Connecticut State University (CT) 86. Norwich University (VT) 86. Southern New Hampshire University (NH) 91. College of Saint Rose (NY) 91. SUNY Potsdam (NY) 91. Champlain College (VT) 94. Millersville University of Pennsylvania (PA) 97. Saint Peter's University (NJ) 97. The Sage Colleges (NY) 97. Wheelock College (MA) 102. Bay Path University (MA) 102. Bridgewater State University (MA) 102. Manhattanville College (NY) 102. Point Park University (PA) 5. Plymouth State University (NH) 6. Worcester State University (MA) 120. Cabrini University (PA) 120. Keuka College (NY) 120. Western Connecticut State University (CT) 126. Framingham State University (MA) 130. Daemen College (NY) 130. Lasell College (MA) 130. Utica College (NY) 136. St. Joseph's College (ME) 137. College of St. Elizabeth (NJ) 137. Salem State University (MA) Regional Universities Midwest 3. Drake University (IA) 9. University of Evansville (IN) 18. Baldwin-Wallace College (OH) 29. Augsburg University (MN) 51. Robert Morris University (IL) 64. Walsh University (OH) 73. McKendree University (IL) 75. MidAmerica Nazarene University (KS) 87. Northwest Missouri State University (MO) 93. Southeast Missouri State University (MO) 93. Tiffin University (OH) 99. Northern State University (SD) 106. Concordia University (MN) 106. Ohio Dominican University (OH) 109. Wayne State College (NE) 8. Dakota State University (SD) 8. Sierra Heights University (MI) 122. Emporia State University (KS) Regional Universities South 2. Rollins College (FL) 6. Stetson University (FL) 7. James Madison University . Christopher Newport University (VA) 12. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) 15. Asbury University (KY) 17. University of Mary Washington (VA) 21. Hampton University (VA) 43. Radford University (VA) 52. Jacksonville University (FL) 52. Keiser University (FL) 52. Marymount University (VA) 52. Mississippi University for Women (MS) 57. Brenau University (GA) 57. Columbia College (SC) 61. St. Leo University (FL) 80. St. Thomas University (FL) 87. Pfeiffer University (NC) 89. King University (TN) 95. Lynn University (FL) 102. Virginia State University (VA) 104. Arkansas Tech (AR) 106. Amridge University (AL) Regional Universities West 8. Whitworth University (WA) 9. Mills College (CA) 16. Pacific Lutheran University (WA) 31. California State Polytechnic- Pomona (CA) 35. San Jose State University (CA) 37. California State Univ.- Chico (CA) 39. California State Univ.- Long Beach (CA) 44. La Sierra University (CA) 47. California State Univ.- Monterey Bay (CA) 47. Humboldt State University (CA) 47. Northwest Nazarene University (ID) 47. Walla Walla University (WA) 55. California State Univ.Stanislaus (CA) 57. Alaska Pacific University (AK) 57. Sonoma State University (CA) 59. California State Univ.- Los Angeles (CA) 59. Hawaii Pacific University (HI) 63. California State Univ.- San Bernardino (CA) 66. California State Univ.- Channel Islands (CA) 66. Woodbury University (CA) 70. California State Univ.- Sacramento (CA) 70. Texas AM Int'l Univ. (TX) "Top 10%" 73. California State Univ.- Northridge (CA) 73. Stephen F. Austin State Univ. (TX) "Top 10%" 73. Western Oregon University (OR) 76. California State Univ.- San Marcos (CA) 76. University of Alaska- Anchorage (AK) 81. Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OK) 81. Prescott College (AZ) 81. West Texas AM University (TX) 86. Eastern Washington University (WA) 86. Weber State University (UT) 90. University of Texas- Tyler (TX) 91. Midwestern State University (TX) 91. University of Texas- Permian Basin (TX) 94. California State Univ.Bakersfield (CA) 95. University of North Texas (TX) "Top 10%" Regional Colleges North 7. Colby-Sawyer College (NH) 8. University of Maine- Farmington (ME) . Wilson College (PA) 12. Cazenovia College (NY) 13. Pennsylvania College of Technology (PA) 16. Unity College (ME) 17. SUNY College of Technology- Delhi (NY) 19. Vermont Technical College (VT) 19. Concordia College (NY) 22. Dean College (MA) 22. Paul Smith's College (NY) 26. Keystone College (PA) 26. Mount Ida College (MA) 29. University of Maine- Presque Isle (ME) 31. University of Maine- Fort Kent (ME) 33. University of Northern Vt.Lyndon (VT) 35. University of Valley Forge (PA) 36. Newbury College (MA) Regional Colleges Midwest 25. Manchester University (IN) 42. Ottawa University (KS) 44. Olivet College (MI) 51. Dickinson State University (ND) 54. Midland University (NE) 56. Dunwoody College of Technology (MN) Regional Colleges South 1. High Point University (SC) 2. Flagler College (FL) 3. University of the Ozarks (AR) 4. Catawba College (NC) 8. Belmont Abbey College (NC) 19. Lees-McRae College (NC) 21. Brevard College (NC) 21. Florida Memorial University (FL) 25. Bennett College (NC) 26. Welch College (TN) 28. Pensacola State College (FL) 28. South Florida State College (FL) 36. Everglades University (FL) 41. Point University (GA) 45. Warner University (FL) 50. Georgia Gwinnett College (GA) 55. University of Holy Cross (LA) Regional Colleges West 3. California State Univ. Maritime (CA) 6. Oregon Institute of Technology (OR) 15. Marymount California University (CA) 16. East Texas Baptist University (TX) 21. Southwestern Christian University (OK) 23. Lewis-Clark State University (ID) 25. University of HawaiiOahu (HI) Source: FairTest.org You might notice that national liberal arts colleges are more likely to have test-optional policies than national research universities are. In recent years, liberal arts schools have increasingly taken the position that your test scores are only one component of your application and don't represent the sum of your academic potential. However, most prestigious universities (in the top 50) still require the SAT. This includes Ivy League schoolslike Harvard, Yale, and Princeton; University of California system schools like UC Berkeley and UCLA; and many other top private schools like Stanford and Duke. It’s important to know the SAT policies of schools long before you actually apply, since taking and prepping for the SAT can begin more than a year in advance of your deadlines. Now that you’re aware of these different policies, your first course of action is to start exploring. // Comprehensive List of Schools That De-emphasize the SAT Beyond the top schools above, we've also prepared a comprehensive document listing all schools that de-emphasize the SAT. Click the icon below to see the completelist! What Should You Do With These Test-Optional Lists? Now that you have a sense of all the schools with test-optional or text-flexible admissions policies, what should you do next? Consider these four tips for moving forward in the college application process. #1: Do Your Own Fact Checking Since admissions processes are complex and unique to each school, it falls on you to thoroughly explore the policies of all the colleges you're interested in. As mentioned above, if you can’t find a detailed explanation on the college’s website, don’t hesitate to call an admissions officer and ask directly. This is also a question you could bring to your college visits, as long as you answer it early enough to give yourself enough time for test prep. #2: Take the SAT or ACT to Keep Your Options Open Your college list is almost certainly going to change throughout junior and even senior year. Don’t limit yourself prematurely by ruling out the SAT, as you'll want to keep your options open. Think about it: you wouldn’t want to fall in love with a college only to discover you don’t have time to take the SAT or prep effectively for it and thus can’t meet the school's admission requirements. Planning and prepping should begin at least by early junior year, and it’s very unlikely that you’ll have your college list finalized by then. As you plan out your schedule, visit our resources on when you should start prepping for the SAT and what the best test dates are for you. #3: Consider Applying to Many Schools On a similar note, it isn't wise to limit yourself to certain schools just so you can avoid taking the SAT. The fit of the college- from itsacademics and extracurricular opportunities to its campus and culture- are much more important factors in determining where you'll be spending the four years of your life after high school. Even if you feel anxious about the SAT, the skills of applied discipline and personal growth that you developpreparing for it will be useful to you throughout your academic and professional careers. #4: Analyze the Strength of Your Application If you're applying to colleges that do not require the SAT or that have test-flexible options, it'll help you to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Have you achieved (or will you be able to get) a strong SAT score, or is your academic ability better represented through AP tests and SAT Subject Tests? Will these scores strengthen your application, or do they not truly represent your skills and abilities? Where do you shine the brightest? Though SAT-optional policies are yet another thing to think about as you apply, having that choice can ultimately only work in your benefit. By making an informed and intentional decision,you have the power to shape the story you tell to admissions officers. What’s Next? Want to find out more about test-optional schools specifically?Check out our in-depth guide to see all 500+ test-optional schools, and get tips on whether to apply to them or not. Even among universities that do require SAT scores, there’s some variation in how they look at your scores.Check out the full list of colleges that superscore the SAT, and learn how this info could completely transform your approach to test prep. Exploring your standardized testing options? Many colleges also superscore the ACT. Click here for the full list and for strategies on how to get your best ACT score. Want to improve your SAT score by 160points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: