Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 15:35     Subject: Re:Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
I don’t know how these schools are ranked, but my unhooked D got into wisco, Northeastern & Bates last year TO & no APs
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 13:18     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Think it’s this list:

UChicago
Columbia
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
Michigan
UCLA
Cal
WashU
USC
UVA
UNC

Think Emory and Rice still prefer tests.


Our counselor said UNC and ND are definitely test preferred for non-athletes/ non-FGLI.
Only 57% of students submit test scores at ND, dont think it has risen much since.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 12:25     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know we can see number or percent submitting test scores on CDS but are we able to see - the percent of TO admitted?


The number shown on CDS is for enrolled students. Enrollment first requires admission.


But there are admitted TO applicants who don’t enroll and therefore are not captured by CDS.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 10:31     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:I know we can see number or percent submitting test scores on CDS but are we able to see - the percent of TO admitted?


The number shown on CDS is for enrolled students. Enrollment first requires admission.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 10:27     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
I know we can see number or percent submitting test scores on CDS but are we able to see - the percent of TO admitted?
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 10:24     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:Not my kid but I know of TO kids who have gotten into the following:
Cornell
Vandy
UNC (OOS)


Add UVA (OOS) to this list
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 10:23     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Not my kid but I know of TO kids who have gotten into the following:
Cornell
Vandy
UNC (OOS)
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 10:16     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At the top schools, the tide is very obviously moving away from TO for multiple reasons - college readiness (professors have been vocal in their complaints) as well as further scrutiny from the new administration.

There’s no longer an excuse to not sit for tests, the data points to their value in the admissions process, and no one is being fooled by omitting scores.

Sure some top schools are still TO but it’s pretty much exclusively for hooked applicants and athletes.


This. With a few exceptions (Vandy, not sure who else), schools want scores from upper middle class white kids.


These schools are truly TO according to our private IEC. Esp for non-STEM and non-business majors.

However, to work, every other piece of the application must be perfect. No red flags.

UChicago
JHU
Columbia
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
Michigan
UCLA
Cal
WashU
UVA



[b]Define perfect



Hooked, obviously. That’s what TO exists at all.
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 08:47     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Think it’s this list:

UChicago
Columbia
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
Michigan
UCLA
Cal
WashU
USC
UVA
UNC

Think Emory and Rice still prefer tests.


My kid was told to submit to Michigan and USC with a 1400. But was advised test optional at the other schools on list.


Last cycle, mine got into Michigan and Vanderbilt test optional.



This cycle may be different?


Yes, it will be different for Michigan. Michigan really wants scores and if you are OOS they need to be high. Off the record discussion with admissions officer. I am the person that told everyone on here last spring that Michigan was moving to ED this year and no one believed me. Send scores if you are OOS!
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 01:21     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Think it’s this list:

UChicago
Columbia
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
Michigan
UCLA
Cal
WashU
USC
UVA
UNC

Think Emory and Rice still prefer tests.


My kid was told to submit to Michigan and USC with a 1400. But was advised test optional at the other schools on list.


Last cycle, mine got into Michigan and Vanderbilt test optional.



This cycle may be different?
Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 00:56     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Think it’s this list:

UChicago
Columbia
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
Michigan
UCLA
Cal
WashU
USC
UVA
UNC

Think Emory and Rice still prefer tests.


My kid was told to submit to Michigan and USC with a 1400. But was advised test optional at the other schools on list.


1400 is low for Michigan unless in-state and 90 points below the 25th percentile for USC admitted students.

Anonymous
Post 10/26/2025 00:51     Subject: Acceptances to Top Schools Applying Test Optional
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:At the top schools, the tide is very obviously moving away from TO for multiple reasons - college readiness (professors have been vocal in their complaints) as well as further scrutiny from the new administration.

There’s no longer an excuse to not sit for tests, the data points to their value in the admissions process, and no one is being fooled by omitting scores.

Sure some top schools are still TO but it’s pretty much exclusively for hooked applicants and athletes.


This. With a few exceptions (Vandy, not sure who else), schools want scores from upper middle class white kids.


These schools are truly TO according to our private IEC. Esp for non-STEM and non-business majors.

However, to work, every other piece of the application must be perfect. No red flags.

UChicago
JHU
Columbia
Vanderbilt
Notre Dame
Michigan
UCLA
Cal
WashU
UVA



For all its admissions games, UChicago still prefers tests unless from a trusted privateh feeder school, and JHU is now test required.

Notre Dame may be test optional but being Catholic is pretty much required.

UVA and Vanderbilt are subject to increased scrutiny from the current administration and might likely be less generous with their TO admissions this year.