Top 20 Colleges That Offer SAT Waivers

The SAT was once the defining metric for college admissions. A stellar score could open doors to numerous institutions, while a lower score made the journey more challenging. However, in 2023, the landscape of college admissions has evolved.

Many institutions are adopting a “test-blind” approach, and others are temporarily setting aside the SAT requirement due to a shift in educational paradigms. Let’s explore some of the leading schools currently offering an SAT waiver.

California State University – Stanislaus

• Founded in 1960, CSU offers 43 amazing undergraduate majors available in many fields.
• They also boast an impressive 16 master’s degree programs.
• On top of this, California State University – Stanislaus is dedicated to serving its diverse student body.
• It offers LGBTQ+ Mentor Programs that connect LGBTQ+ students with trusted mentors.
• California State University – Stanislaus is waiving the SAT requirement for the Fall 2023 & Spring 2023 admission cycles.

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Hampshire College – Amherst, Massachusetts

• At Hampshire College, students build their own major in conjunction with an advisor instead of choosing one.
• Hampshire College’s campus is turning green, with the Kern Center creating its own energy.
• Students applying to Hampshire create their own portfolio-type application with writing samples, recommendations, and examples of projects.
• Hampshire College is test-blind, meaning it never considers standardized test scores of prospective students.

Loyola University – New Orleans, Louisiana

• Loyola New Orleans was the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers in the country in 2017, probably because of their strong Jesuit traditions.
• All located only 20 minutes from New Orleans’s French Quarter, Loyola New Orleans offers 110 excellent undergraduate programs and 36 impressive graduate programs.
• Loyola New Orleans is a test-blind school that never takes SAT scores into consideration, even if a student submits one.
• Instead, the school considers ‘GPA, academic rigor, student involvement, and the student’s personal statement.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

• There are 38 degree programs and 29 study abroad programs at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
• St. Mary’s City is home to one of the first English settlements in North America, and the campus is over 300 acres and on the beautiful waterfront.
• St. Mary’s College of Maryland says SAT scores do not fully represent students’ academic achievement and are optional on the application.
• But if a student believes the score would strengthen their application, they are welcome to include it.

Kansas State University

• Kansas State University offers an impressive 250 undergraduate programs and 165 graduate programs while also awarding $230 million dollars in financial aid and $36 dollars million in scholarships.
• The university gives freshman students the opportunity to meet a 3.25 GPA requirement or submit an SAT score.
• Students can also apply without doing either, and their applications will be reviewed individually.

Oregon State University

• Oregon State University is a research-driven institution that earned a total of 439.7 million dollars in research contracts and grants in 2019.
• Students can earn degrees in fields like botany, geology, creative writing, and photography with Oregon State University’s diverse offering of over 200 undergraduate programs and 100 graduate programs.
• Students applying for Fall 2023 and subsequent seasons do not need an SAT score to apply.

Indiana University – Bloomington

• Indiana University is one of the top public research universities in the US.
• This university has a broad and diverse offering of degrees in the fields such as gender studies, science and engineering, music, data science, school psychology, and much more.
• The 2023 admissions cycle will offer a test-optional policy that will consider all aspects of an application, including grades earned in academic coursework, honors work, International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses, and extracurricular activities.

Centre College – Danville, Kentucky

• Centre has been a top 15 college in the south on Forbes list for 7 years now, and for a reason!
• It pushes students to move beyond the classroom with an internship or study abroad program. 85% of students at the Centre study abroad.
• Centre College is offering an SAT waiver for 2023 and 2024 admission cycles.

New York University

• NYU provides a rigorous, demanding education to more than 50,000 students and undertakes nearly $1 billion in research annually.
• This private university offers majors in visual and performing arts, social sciences, business, management, marketing, and related support services.
• NYU wants scores, but students have the option to substitute an SAT score for AP test scores, IB test scores, or the IB diploma.

Arizona State University

• Arizona State University is not only a huge school, but it also ranks #1 in innovation in the US. ASU is also in the top 5 universities with global impact based on research and stewardship.
• Students are sure to find a major they love with ASU’s 350 undergraduate programs.
• To be admitted to Arizona State University, students can submit an SAT score but can also be top 25% in their high school class or have a GPA higher than 3.00.

American University

• The American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with 89% of students completing an internship in their 4 years.
• American is a test-optional school, but students who graduate from a secondary school outside of the United States will probably have to submit either an SAT or ACT score.

Cornell – Ithaca, New York

• The University is an Ivy League school with amazing programs in architecture, engineering, and hotel management.
• Its campus is in a rural setting but spans over 700 acres. Cornell ranks 18th among the best national universities.
• Since August 2021, Cornell is offering SAT waivers for applications.

Lewis & Clark – Portland, Oregon

• Lewis and Clark is a small liberal arts college described as collaborative and open-minded by its students.
• Popular majors at Lewis and Clark include social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, psychology, English language, literature, and visual and performing arts.
• Since 1991, Lewis and Clark have had a test-optional policy and boast their role in leading the way toward test-optional.
• Students may submit a score if they want, but it will not play a role in the awarding of merit-based or need-based financial aid.

George Washington University – Washington, D.C.

• Students come to George Washington University for the passionate faculty, diverse student groups, the division I athletic program, and once-in-a-lifetime internship opportunities.
• George Washington holds numerous prominent events yearly, like hosting the U.S. Presidential debates and the World Bank annual meeting.
• George Washington also consistently ranks highly as one of the most politically active college campuses in the U.S.
• Enrollment for the 2023 and 2014 admission cycle test is required, but George Washington reverted back to a pre-pandemic policy that requires a test score.

Ithaca College – Ithaca, New York

• Ithaca is a private liberal arts college known worldwide for its fantastic Roy H. Park School of Communications.
• Multiple organizations have ranked the Park school as a top school for journalism, film, media & entertainment.
• Ithaca believes every student is an individual with talents, skills, accomplishments, and also potential that cannot be reduced to a single test score.
• Because of this, Ithaca gives students the opportunity to submit or withhold test scores in most cases.

James Madison University – Harrisburg, Virginia

• JMU is a public research university with a recognizably beautiful campus in Virginia.
• There are eight undergraduate major programs and six graduate programs.
• James Madison is also a lower-cost university that still provides quality education.
• James Madison offers SAT waiver for applications, and no applicant will be penalized for withholding scores.

Wake Forest University – Winston-Salem, North Carolina

University of Chicago

• The University of Chicago sits on the shores of Lake Michigan with over 200 acres.
• Students from the University of Chicago go on to do amazing work like splitting the atom, developing the field of sociology, and also measuring the speed of light.
• The University of Chicago is test-optional and describes test scores as neither required nor recommended.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, Massachusetts

• MIT is an outstanding school that regularly ranks #1 among the best colleges in America.
• MIT is an extremely competitive school with a 7% acceptance rate and about 4,500 undergraduates.
• Students love to take up majors such as mathematics, computer science, and mechanical engineering here.

Harvard University – Cambridge, Massachusetts

• Harvard University is an excellent school dedicated to fantastic teaching, learning, and also research.
• Moreover, it was the first University in America and continues to excel in preparing students for the world.
• Students interested in a unique field can create their own special concentration.
• SAT is no longer the main indicator of a student’s academic abilities.
• Universities now are not only focusing on numbers but also on all of a student’s achievements.
• This new age will usher in a generation of diverse college-educated students.

Key Takeaways 

• Choose a college that supports your dreams and will hone your skills. 
• You can get into a good university even if you don’t have a good SAT score. 
• Always check the official website of universities to know what documents are needed. 

This is all we have for now. We hope you found this blog helpful. You can get in touch with our counselors for doubts, and they will be happy to help!

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FAQs

1. What colleges don’t require SAT for 2024?

Answer- Colleges such as Dartmouth, Harvard, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, Penn, and Stanford have announced that the test will remain optional. 

2. Will not submitting SAT scores hurt 2022?

Answer- No, if you choose to appear for the test and don’t submit your scores, there will be no harm done. 

3. Can I get into an Ivy League without SAT?

Answer- Yes, you can. But it’s important to note that without your SAT and ACT, admission officers will evaluate your profile more strictly, so make sure you stand out.