Realistic test optional schools for Regular Decision

[Anonymous]

UC schools are what you are looking for. They don’t have ED or EA and don’t take test scores. They are basically lotteries but full pay OOS have a big advantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely becoming fewer and fewer. I'd say Clemson for one.

Clemson favors kids with scores.

They all do.

[Anonymous]

Over 80% of the students in the most recently matriculated class at Bates did not submit standardized scoring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every liberal arts college? I would think so.

I am not looking for guesses. Want actual results from people who know.

If you are not FG, LI, URM, and donor, not gonna happen for top national schools, e.g., t50.

Mine got into U-Michigan (EA); Vanderbilt (RD); Cornell (RD) and Northwestern (RD) (and many SLACs) all test optional this past cycle.
Not any of those hooked categories. Did have national level ECs though.

[Anonymous]

Usually for ED test optional success in T25, you need something else. Something special. Something different/stands out.

It’s not just a “standard strong” boring applicant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually for ED test optional success in T25, you need something else. Something special. Something different/stands out.

It’s not just a “standard strong” boring applicant.

False.

TO means TO, it applies to everyone equally. Not submitting scores does not disadvantage anyone. White and Asian students got in T15 schools test optional all the time.

You don’t need anything special. Stop the bs.

[Anonymous]

Where is the CDS located?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually for ED test optional success in T25, you need something else. Something special. Something different/stands out.

It’s not just a “standard strong” boring applicant.

False.

TO means TO, it applies to everyone equally. Not submitting scores does not disadvantage anyone. White and Asian students got in T15 schools test optional all the time.

You don’t need anything special. Stop the bs.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is the CDS located?

Google “[Name of College] + CDS” and it will pop up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find this info in the Common Data Set (CDS) for each school. Start searching for schools that are of interest. I recently did this and it was pretty easy. You can see percentage of enrolled first-year students that submitted SAT and ACT scores under section C9.

From our spreadsheet, here are some of the schools my child is considering that have a high percentage of test optional students (Vassar 60% TO, MHC 85% TO, Dickinson 75% TO, Oberlin 60% TO, Elon 60% TO, Fordham 70% TO, LMU 70% TO).

The list truly goes on and on. There are a very large number of test optional colleges so you’re just going to have to do some of this research and homework yourself. It’s mostly the tippy top universities and certain states that are still test required or heavily favor test scores.

CDS doesn't tell you if the applicant is RD or ED. Most test optional admits are ED. That's why I am asking for specific evidence of RD admits.

Only asking about top 50-ish national universities. This is what dc is interested in.

If the CDS doesn’t tell you that, how do you know?

I think your assumptions are wrong. Many ED are TO.

[Anonymous]

My DD got into CU Boulder, RD and TO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you need to talk to the college counselor to get the specific data points you want. What research have you already done? Name some colleges that are of interest to your student.

Right now the ED1 choice is Chicago.

Does UVA take TO kids who apply EA from OOS?

Chicago takes 25% TO per their CDS. What we don't know is how many of those are athletes or FGLI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:William and Mary does

W&M heavily favors ED

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually for ED test optional success in T25, you need something else. Something special. Something different/stands out.

It’s not just a “standard strong” boring applicant.

False.

TO means TO, it applies to everyone equally. Not submitting scores does not disadvantage anyone. White and Asian students got in T15 schools test optional all the time.

You don’t need anything special. Stop the bs.

Think it depends on the school. Boston College shared on a webinar that while they are officially test optional, the majority of accepted students submit test scores and they really are “test preferred”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually for ED test optional success in T25, you need something else. Something special. Something different/stands out.

It’s not just a “standard strong” boring applicant.

False.

TO means TO, it applies to everyone equally. Not submitting scores does not disadvantage anyone. White and Asian students got in T15 schools test optional all the time.

You don’t need anything special. Stop the bs.

Think it depends on the school. Boston College shared on a webinar that while they are officially test optional, the majority of accepted students submit test scores and they really are “test preferred”.

Does BC have a more current CDS available? I only found this one from 2021-2022 that shows 30% of enrolled freshman submitted SAT scores and 20% ACT scores (that may have shifted post-pandemic but I’m curious given public statements they’re making). This CDS also states test scores are considered but not important.

https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/bc1/offices/irp/ir/cds/Boston_College_CDS_2021-2022_Final.pdf