Starting in the fall of 2020, undergraduate students applying to the University of San Francisco will no longer be required to submit SAT and ACT test scores.
The university announced the decision earlier this week, following a yearlong assessment by administration and faculty. From the assessment, they found that the scores were often more reflective of the applicant’s economic background rather than their college preparedness and academic abilities.
High school performance will now be given more weight for student admission decisions.
“We believe this is the right thing to do, both in terms of USF’s mission and values as well as in light of studies consistently showing that high school performance is a better predictor of first-year college performance,” Donald E. Heller, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said.
“Studies also show that standardized test scores have a low correlation with persistence and graduation – and that’s particularly true at USF.”
The school believes that the new policy will also attract a more diverse student body as well.
“We are confident that even without standardized test scores, our holistic review of students’ applications to join our community is the most important element of our work to build an intellectually curious, diverse, and engaged entering class,” President Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald said.
Last week, the University of Denver also announced that it will adopt a test-optional policy, joining hundreds of other colleges and universities across the nation to do so.
