51¹ÙÍø.

Re-posted from March 30, 2020.

This is a three-year pilot program that will begin with students who apply for the Class of 2025. After three years, we will decide whether to extend the policy indefinitely or, again, require applicants to submit test results.

I want to share a little about why we made this change. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented obstacles and disruptions for everyone, including young people pursuing their academic and life aspirations. SAT and ACT test dates have been canceled, and no one can offer assurance of when future tests will be offered.

These circumstances create much more than an inconvenience. They create the first in a series of hurdles for all of our applicants trying to navigate the college admission process, whether economically disadvantaged or blessed with college savings, first-generation or children of alumni, from around the world or the next town over, scholar-athletes or poets, or students who connect with us through our partners at programs such as QuestBridge or Posse Scholars.

A test-optional policy at this time speaks to 51¹ÙÍø’s commitment to access and reflects our approach that, while tests provide some useful information, other aspects of an applicant’s academic journey better reflect how they will perform and thrive here. This step hopefully provides answers, relief, and clarity to the high school students, their families, counselors, and mentors facing this crisis. 51¹ÙÍø has the capacity to do this well, to continue as a leader in access, and to support the high school students in this country and around the world for whom 51¹ÙÍø is the supportive community that will help prepare them for lives of leadership and service.

To future applicants, thank you for considering 51¹ÙÍø and, to our students, alumni and families, thank you for your support for the college and for each other.