Anonymous
06/03/2026 11:32
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Princeton is test required for next cycle.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 11:22
Subject: Which T20 are still test optional?
Most test optional are really test preferred. Only Vandy, washu, and Nortre Dame are truly optional, around 50-60% submitting. If you expand it to T30 USC, NYU, Tufts etc.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 11:19
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Why Emory WashU CMU there?
Why wouldn't they? T20 doesnt mean 20 schools.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 11:16
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
UVA USC NYU UNC
Anonymous
06/03/2026 10:12
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Why Emory WashU CMU there?
They’re test optional. WashU and CMU are tied for 20 this year (with ND and UMich). Emory is the only other test optional school in the T25, so I made it a T25 list. (I honestly expected someone to call me on it a little sooner!)
Anonymous
06/03/2026 10:08
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Why Emory WashU CMU there?
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:54
Subject: Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Maybe add a few T10 SLACs?
Bowdoin was the TO OG. They have a strong track record of picking strong students without scores over decades. Somehow they get it right while schools like the UCs make us scratch our heads.
I mention this for people who want a TO pathway, and a CONSISTENTLY high quality peer group upon arrival. Those two things are tough to combine.
Are there any test-mandatory SLACs? I feel like the whole field is committed to test optional.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:51
Subject: Which T20 are still test optional?
You can easily get into Northwestern, Vanderbilt or Columbia test-optional if your major is music (Bienen School of Music, Blair School of Music), dance, or English, and you have corresponding national-level accolades.
If the OP has that kind of kid, wouldn't they know?
OP-what's the major?
If the OP has that kind of kid, wouldn't they know?
OP-what's the major?
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:49
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Princeton isn't for next year.
Princeton is test optional for the 26-27 cycle, test mandatory for the 27-28 cycle.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:47
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Princeton isn't for next year.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:43
Subject: Which T20 are still test optional?
Maybe add a few T10 SLACs?
Bowdoin was the TO OG. They have a strong track record of picking strong students without scores over decades. Somehow they get it right while schools like the UCs make us scratch our heads.
I mention this for people who want a TO pathway, and a CONSISTENTLY high quality peer group upon arrival. Those two things are tough to combine.
Bowdoin was the TO OG. They have a strong track record of picking strong students without scores over decades. Somehow they get it right while schools like the UCs make us scratch our heads.
I mention this for people who want a TO pathway, and a CONSISTENTLY high quality peer group upon arrival. Those two things are tough to combine.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:40
Subject: Which T20 are still test optional?
Anonymous wrote:Can someone give a list? TIA
Almost none take test-optional students who are not hooked. With no hook you need to be in range of the middle50%(ie above 25th%ile on the fall 2020 CDS, test required).
Uchicago has been TO forever, it works better there, though it remains mostly for hooked. Elsewhere, submit if no hooks and expect to not get in if not in range.
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:33
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Princeton
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Chicago
Duke
Northwestern
Columbia
UCLA (test blind)
UC Berkeley (test blind)
Vandy
Rice
Michigan
Notre Dame
Wash. U.
Emory
and the fine arts programs at CMU
Anonymous
06/03/2026 09:33
Subject: Re:Which T20 are still test optional?
Duke, U Chicago
Anonymous
06/03/2026 08:42
Subject: Which T20 are still test optional?
Can someone give a list? TIA