Swarthmore College will continue its test-optional admissions policy for up to five more years.

[Anonymous]

Swarthmore dean of admissions has a kid at Pomona. Both very hesitant to reinstate test scores, showing why they’re both ranked behind Williams and Amherst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:they are trying to hang onto more application volume as the enrollment cliff approaches.

This. Keep the selectivity numbers higher, by encouraging those with lower test scores to apply. Their statement says that the test optional people have weaker outcomes than those who submit test scores but that the difference isn't huge. But they don't say what share of kids they accept are test optional. It could be that they're just accepting a few kids who seem to be academic superstars grade-wise, but don't submit test scores...and nearly everyone they accept is submitting test scores.

https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/institutional-effectiveness-research-assessment/Swarthmore-CDS-2024-2025-fillable-pdf-version.pdf

~39% submitted SAT
~16% ACT

Doesn’t help when students are submitting both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2025/11/20/swarthmore-continues-test-optional-policy-2/

Looks like any school outside top 10 and ivy leagues are reluctant to reinstate test required.

"while students who applied without scores have exhibited slightly lower first and second year GPAs on average, this gap was “not worrisome."

Yawn.

Standardized testing is overrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 1580+ SAT takers are still going to be in such demand.

With this test optional policy, those scores are the new hook.

My 1580 (one sitting) / 4.0 UW from a top private -- with good (but no big awards) ECs -- was rejected from Swarthmore. So top scores are not the hook you think they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't blame them. Imagine the precipitous decline in average test scores.

Imagine the drop in their selectiveness. lol!

Maybe people will realize low acceptance rate doesn’t make selectivity. Requirement of high test scores and course rigor does.

[Anonymous]

It’s all related to the college demo cliff drop off. These schools will need students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2025/11/20/swarthmore-continues-test-optional-policy-2/

Looks like any school outside top 10 and ivy leagues are reluctant to reinstate test required.

"while students who applied without scores have exhibited slightly lower first and second year GPAs on average, this gap was “not worrisome."

Yawn.

Standardized testing is overrated.

Ha. Omg. No.

It’s overrate for parents that pay and pay and prep and their kids still can’t get the high scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Swarthmore is a small school, and admits ~40% (only ~200 students) without SAT/ACT scores each year. One wonders what is on the resumes of those students.


https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/institutional-effectiveness-research-assessment/SAT.pdf

First gen. 27% of class of 2029 admits were first gen.

[Anonymous]

They're small enoughbto probably avoid the UC San Diego problem, but a good many athletes are TO so you can't really be surprised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:they are trying to hang onto more application volume as the enrollment cliff approaches.

This. Keep the selectivity numbers higher, by encouraging those with lower test scores to apply. Their statement says that the test optional people have weaker outcomes than those who submit test scores but that the difference isn't huge. But they don't say what share of kids they accept are test optional. It could be that they're just accepting a few kids who seem to be academic superstars grade-wise, but don't submit test scores...and nearly everyone they accept is submitting test scores.

https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/institutional-effectiveness-research-assessment/Swarthmore-CDS-2024-2025-fillable-pdf-version.pdf

~39% submitted SAT
~16% ACT

39% to 55% admits submit scores. Probably half of the class are like UCSD students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:they are trying to hang onto more application volume as the enrollment cliff approaches.

This. Keep the selectivity numbers higher, by encouraging those with lower test scores to apply. Their statement says that the test optional people have weaker outcomes than those who submit test scores but that the difference isn't huge. But they don't say what share of kids they accept are test optional. It could be that they're just accepting a few kids who seem to be academic superstars grade-wise, but don't submit test scores...and nearly everyone they accept is submitting test scores.

https://www.swarthmore.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/institutional-effectiveness-research-assessment/Swarthmore-CDS-2024-2025-fillable-pdf-version.pdf

~39% submitted SAT
~16% ACT

39% to 55% admits submit scores. Probably half of the class are like UCSD students.

On our tour we had one of those "like UCSD students." Shocking, really. Even worse - the tour guide was so off putting and terrible. So, even leaving aside the very likely possibility guide was one of the no score (UCSD TO) admits - guide was very obnoxious and completely turned my kid off to the school.

[Anonymous]

All wrong, this is what a SLAC has to do to keep a class at $90,682 a year, all the while offering merit and financial aid and paying for perks and expensive programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All wrong, this is what a SLAC has to do to keep a class at $90,682 a year, all the while offering merit and financial aid and paying for perks and expensive programs.

I don’t get the point. Swarthmore has merit aid because it has rich alumni who provided the funds for a merit scholarship in their name. It is very difficult to get merit aid from Swarthmore, and the institution has an incredible amount of financial resources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 1580+ SAT takers are still going to be in such demand.

With this test optional policy, those scores are the new hook.

Well said

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 1580+ SAT takers are still going to be in such demand.

With this test optional policy, those scores are the new hook.

My 1580 (one sitting) / 4.0 UW from a top private -- with good (but no big awards) ECs -- was rejected from Swarthmore. So top scores are not the hook you think they are.

The system is broken.