Harvard and many American universities return to SAT, ACT

Twenty-nine US universities, including many top schools, require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores in their applications, after dropping them due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Harvard University announced on April 11 that it will require SAT/ACT scores for admissions starting in 2025, joining a group of American universities returning to standardized testing. Previously, in February and March, many Ivy League universities such as Dartmouth, Brown, and Yale made similar requirements.

The decision to bring back SAT/ACT scores was initiated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from the 2022 admissions season. This regulation "is to help us continue to build a diverse and talented MIT," according to Mr. Stu Schmill, Dean of Admissions.

Right after MIT are Georgetown and Florida universities, applying for classes starting in 2023.

According to Crimson Education, a leading US admissions consulting firm, there are currently about 29 US universities requiring applicants to resubmit SAT/ACT scores:

TT	School	Note
1	Brown University	Apply for admission keyword 2025
2	Dartmouth College	Apply for admission keyword 2025
3	Florida Atlantic University
4	Florida Gulf Coast University
5	Florida Technology
6	Florida International University
7	Florida State University
8	Georgetown University
9	Georgia College & State University
10	Georgia Institute of Technology
11	Louisiana State University
12	Louisiana Tech University
13	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
14	Purdue University
15	Randall University
16	US Air Force Academy
17	US Merchant Marine Academy
18	US Military Academy
19	US Naval Academy
20	University of Arkansas
21	University of Central Florida
22	University of Florida
23	University of Georgia
24	University of North Florida
25	University of South Florida
26	University of Tennessee
27	Yale University	Apply for admission keyword 2025
28	Harvard University	Apply for admission keyword 2025
29	California Institute of Technology (CalTech)	Apply for admission keyword 2025

For many years, admissions committees of American universities have often considered the academic level, grades, essays and extracurricular activities of applicants. In particular, SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) or ACT (American College Testing) scores are required.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, many schools have dropped this requirement. According to statistics from the US Center for Fairness and Integrity in Testing, in 2023, about 1,750 US universities will not require or allow candidates to choose to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Harvard University students welcome new students entering the fall semester of 2023. Photo: Harvard University — Harvard University students welcome new students entering the fall semester of 2023. Photo: *Harvard University Fanpage*

Many experts believe that standardized test score requirements increase inequality. Joshua H. Jaquins, admissions representative at Drexel University in Pennsylvania, said the SAT requires financial investment, time and effort, and therefore puts students from less financially well-off families at a disadvantage.

However, data released in early January by Opportunity Insights, a research team at Harvard University, showed that from 2017 to 2022, students at 12 schools who did not submit SAT/ACT scores had lower GPAs than those who did. Similarly, a study by four professors at Dartmouth College last year concluded that students with this certificate did better academically and had higher GPAs.

Jeremiah Quinlan, dean of admissions at Yale, said standardized test scores are more important in predicting a student's academic ability than any information on the application.

At the University of Texas at Austin, standardized test scores help the school match students to majors. According to president Jay Hartzell, they are especially important in determining whether students can complete demanding programs like engineering and business. Among the more than 9,200 freshmen last year, those who submitted standardized test scores had an average GPAs 0.86 points higher than those who did not.

However, the number of colleges requiring SAT/ACT scores again is small. According to the Center for Fairness and Integrity in the US, more than 80%, equivalent to at least 1,825 colleges, will not require these test scores in the upcoming admissions season. Among them, some famous schools such as Columbia University or the University of California system.

Doan Hung (According to WSP, NY Times, Opportunity Insights, Crimson Education )

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