Some colleges across the United States do not require SAT or ACT scores to be submitted as part of their applications; in college admissions speak, this is known as a “Test Optional” policy. The thinking behind the option goes: an applicant is more than a test score gained from one 3 hour and 45 minute experience on a Saturday morning, and we want to know that “something more.” Also, in my opinion, colleges are trying to cast as wide a net as possible for students who would benefit from their college. Colleges don’t want an applicant to be disadvantaged by a single test score in competing for admissions. Instead of submitting SAT or ACT test scores, a “Test Optional” college application may require students to write additional short answer essays, submit actual graded assignments from both Humanities and Science/Math classes 
(to demonstrate their intellectual abilities in a real classroom setting), as well as additional letters of recommendation from teachers–to gain greater information about the student.
For students who’re already concerned that their test scores are “less than” the averages for last year’s admitted or enrolling classes to an intended college, thus believe they are a less competitive candidate for admissions, or draw the conclusion that they’re “less than” in comparison with their tiny sample of the people surrounding them at their high school and in their limited 17 year old view of life, then choosing the “Test Optional” alternative may seem like highlighting an already (at least in their mind’s eye) glaring deficiency in their application to the college. The applicant’s fears are that they’ll be flagged as “one of those” applicants (whatever “those” means to the teenager) and be ranked at the bottom of the possible candidates for admissions to the college. Not true. Let me say is again in Bold, NOT TRUE. Every college admissions officer I’ve spoken with about their “Test Optional” admissions policy says they do NOT question why a student is applying “Test Optional.” AND, in some cases, when I’ve asked about a student’s chances of admissions, revealing specific test scores as well as the other parts of the student’s application, the admissions officer told me that the student would more likely be disadvantaged BY submitting his/her test scores, rather than the other way around. College admissions officers, regardless of submitted test scores or not, are looking for the potential of the student to be academically successful at their college, and are seeking evidence of that potential in the student’s track record.
The assumptions of the teenage college applicant may not be the reality. Making potentially life-changing decisions based on assumptions may not be the most beneficial in the long run. Be sure to know the difference.
For more advice about choosing colleges that will help students achieve their goals, as well as learn more about the college admissions process, feel free to contact Creative Marbles expert consultants.
