Test Optional Policy at UVA in Fall of 2026

[Anonymous]

Perhaps they will announce their testing policy on Friday? Or will this continue to drag on? At some point very soon, it becomes too late to change to test required for the fall admission season. Accordingly, this delay seems to indicate UVA will remain test optional, at least for another year. Agree/disagree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When 50-60% are submitting test scores, it certainly blows the current "URM/DEI students are less qualified" narrative out of the water. But, looking at our friends and neighbors kids, we've known that was BS for some time. Dean J has stated for years that test scores are one data point, but high GPA from 4 yrs of rigorous courses is also significant data point. AOs work specific territories so they are very familiar with their high schools, which allows them to compare applicants from the same HS.

High GPA test optional kids get WL by UVA at our DC private (lots of Virginia residents applying).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When 50-60% are submitting test scores, it certainly blows the current "URM/DEI students are less qualified" narrative out of the water. But, looking at our friends and neighbors kids, we've known that was BS for some time. Dean J has stated for years that test scores are one data point, but high GPA from 4 yrs of rigorous courses is also significant data point. AOs work specific territories so they are very familiar with their high schools, which allows them to compare applicants from the same HS.

High GPA test optional kids get WL by UVA at our DC private (lots of Virginia residents applying).

High GPA test optional kids get WL by UVA at many schools. They have a lot of applications and it's not a huge place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When 50-60% are submitting test scores, it certainly blows the current "URM/DEI students are less qualified" narrative out of the water. But, looking at our friends and neighbors kids, we've known that was BS for some time. Dean J has stated for years that test scores are one data point, but high GPA from 4 yrs of rigorous courses is also significant data point. AOs work specific territories so they are very familiar with their high schools, which allows them to compare applicants from the same HS.

High GPA test optional kids get WL by UVA at our DC private (lots of Virginia residents applying).

Regarding private school applicants, I was surprised to learn that 75% of UVA students come from public schools (it's on their printed literature). I had known that 2/3 of students are from VA but also 3/4 are from public high schools (assuming this means in-state and out-of-state). Just FYI for those who did not know this figure.

[Anonymous]

Note on Dean J's instagram says decision is being made above admissions and they haven't been given a new policy yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Note on Dean J's instagram says decision is being made above admissions and they haven't been given a new policy yet.

It seems like the sort of thing they will announce at the end of day on a Friday anyway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child toured UVA this weekend, and at the information session, I was surprised to hear that UVA had yet to decide on testing for the fall of 2026 admits. Does anyone have any insight? Do you think they will return to test-required as other schools have? I don't have a strong feeling about this one way or the other. I'm just curious.

You were there and you don't know? How would anyone here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Note on Dean J's instagram says decision is being made above admissions and they haven't been given a new policy yet.

This leads me to conclude that the delay is political. Likely Youngkin’s BOV people want to restore tests, and the university doesn’t want to/is trying to find a compromise approach. Pure speculation, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Note on Dean J's instagram says decision is being made above admissions and they haven't been given a new policy yet.

This leads me to conclude that the delay is political. Likely Youngkin’s BOV people want to restore tests, and the university doesn’t want to/is trying to find a compromise approach. Pure speculation, of course.

No evidence but this sounds very plausible...

[Anonymous]

My dd went test optional with perfect grades, top of class, strong essays...and she was rejected OOS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd went test optional with perfect grades, top of class, strong essays...and she was rejected OOS.

*Ghasp*

WHAT??!??!??!???!???

[Anonymous]

TUVA will not go back to test required. Neither will TCOWM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Note on Dean J's instagram says decision is being made above admissions and they haven't been given a new policy yet.

This leads me to conclude that the delay is political. Likely Youngkin’s BOV people want to restore tests, and the university doesn’t want to/is trying to find a compromise approach. Pure speculation, of course.

This speculation sounds reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Spoiler. They will remain test optional.

[Anonymous]

Test optional in these times is really embarrassing. It is time we stop the madness and accept that Test Optional is the worst thing born from DEI.