You may have heard that the University of California system – with 10 campuses enrolling over a quarter million students – has recently announced that it will be test optional for Fall 2021 admission. The new policy phases in changes over the next four years ending in the university either creating a new admission test or eliminating the standardized test requirements for all students by 2025. Although many schools had announced test-optional policies for next year in the wake of COVID-19 and canceled spring test dates, the University of California announcement was likely the most significant and could represent a turning point for admission test requirements.
What does this mean for you as an applicant? Should you plan to take the SAT or the ACT? The answer still largely depends on the schools you are interested in. Although more and more schools are choosing test-optional admission policies, the majority still require either the SAT or ACT to be considered. FairTest promotes test-optional policies and maintains a list of schools that utilize test-optional admissions. This list can help you determine whether the colleges you are considering are test optional. However, you may not want to rule out a college just because they require the SAT or ACT. In that case, it’s still best to register for one or both exams for the fall.
Take Action
- Review the revised schedule for SAT or ACT test dates.
- Register early for your test (like now). Available test spots will fill out fast!
- Allow yourself up to an hour to complete the registration online. There are lots of questions!
- Upload a picture for your ACT or SAT / SAT Subject Test Registration.
- Opt into the Student Search Service when registering for the SAT or PSAT, or the ACT Educational Opportunity Service (EOS) when registering for the ACT to receive emails or mailings from colleges.
At EdMission Possible, our customized virtual college counseling services make it possible to work with students from all states across the U.S. as well as many countries around the world. Call or email us today to inquire about our comprehensive college application packages or a la carte services. Let’s customize a college application plan that’s right for you!
Happy college planning!
Warmly,
Burcak Deniz Cakir
Founder and President | EdMission Possible
Phone: +1(732)640-5550
E-mail: bdcakir@EdMissionPossible.com
Burcak Deniz Cakir has a B.A. in Foreign Language Education, an M.A. in English Language Teaching, and an M.B.A., all of which have laid the solid foundation for her professional experiences as an educator. She has completed the College Counseling Program at UCLA, which is known to be the most prestigious certificate program in the profession. She has previously taught English as a Foreign/Second Language (EFL/ESL) in Turkey and in the U.S. at Virginia Tech, Harcum College, Rutgers University (Newark and New Brunswick Campuses), and Pace University. Having taught EFL/ESL at the college level for over 20 years, Burcak can communicate effectively with college-age students from different countries. She is bilingual in Turkish and English. Her extensive experience with international students from many countries including but not limited to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and China has given her the opportunity to understand their unique problems that domestic students may not be facing throughout the college admissions process, such as but not limited to extra testing requirements (TOEFL, IELTS), the translation of high school transcripts and recommendation letters, different financial forms and statements required, visa issues, being homesick, culture shock, etc.
Burcak is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and a Voting Member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC). She currently lives in Edison, New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, and her four-legged son. In her free time, she can be found spending time with her family, reading (lots!) about college admissions and college essays, watching her favorite movies, getting lost in design magazines, and decorating her house.
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