How to Get Into College Without Taking the SAT

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References

The SAT has long been a requirement for admission into US universities, but things are beginning to change. Admissions boards are beginning to realize that standardized tests cause many students a great deal of anxiety, and are not always an accurate representation of their academic abilities. For this reason, more and more schools are admitting students without SAT scores.^{[1]
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Research source} If you don't want to take the SAT for one reason or another, you still have plenty of options for college!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Considering the Traditional Alternatives

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Take the ACT instead. If you're not completely opposed to taking a standardized test, you can choose to take the ACT instead of the SAT. Most colleges will accept either, but there are many differences between the two.^{[2]
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- The SAT places more of an emphasis on vocabulary, while the ACT places more of an emphasis on science and advanced math.
- The questions on the ACT are generally more straightforward than the questions on the SAT.
- Your scores for the three sections of the SAT are looked at individually, while your score on the ACT is cumulative. This means if you are weak in one area, but strong in another, you may still be able to do well on the ACT.
- The writing portion of the ACT is optional, although many schools require it. The writing portion of the SAT is not optional.
2
Attend community college. Many programs at community colleges do not require standardized test scores for admission. You can choose from a wide range of associate degree programs.
- If you choose to transfer to a four-year college after attending community college, you may or may not be required to take the SATs. Some schools will waive the requirement if you can show that you did well in community college.
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Consider distance learning. There are a wide variety of academic programs, from certificate programs to master's degree programs, available online. Many online colleges and universities do not require standardized test scores, although the policies are different at each institution.
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Study in another country. All countries have different requirements for college admissions, and some do not require any standardized tests. If you are interested in attending college in another country, make sure to do thorough research on the school's reputation, the cost, the programs offered, and the language of instruction.
- In Austria, for example, the only requirement to enroll in many bachelor's degree programs is a high school diploma, although you may have to take classes in the German language.^{[3]
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- Some universities in Belgium will waive the requirement for SAT scores if you have an IB diploma.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Taking Advantage of New Test Policies

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Determine if you qualify for automatic admission. In some states, students who graduate in the top of their class are automatically accepted into public universities in that state. In Texas, for example, all students who graduate in the top 10% of their class are automatically accepted to public schools.^{[5]
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- You may still have to take the SAT to be admitted to a public university in Texas, depending on the school you choose, but your scores will not factor into the admissions decision, so it doesn't matter if you did poorly.
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Find a test flexible school. Some universities offer a wide variety of options for submitting standardized test scores, which could be very beneficial to students who perform very strongly in certain academic areas.
- New York University, for example, will accept the scores from three SAT subject tests, AP tests, or IB higher-level tests in lieu of traditional SAT or ACT scores. This allows students to submit scores that are reflective of their high achievements in specific subjects.^{[6]
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Find a test optional school. A growing number of US universities are now "test optional," which means that students can decide whether or not to submit standardized test scores as a part of their application without being at a disadvantage. In fact, more than 800 universities now admit at least some students without SAT or ACT scores.^{[7]
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- If you choose not to submit SAT or other standardized test scores with your application, you should make sure that the rest of your application is very strong. You should spend extra time on your personal essay, making sure that it tells your unique story of personal achievement.^{[8]
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- You might be required to submit samples of academic work that you did for your high school classes in lieu of test scores. The requirements are different for each school, so read the application instructions carefully.^{[9]
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Choose a school that doesn't accept SAT scores at all. Hampshire College has a "test blind" policy, in which it states that it will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admissions at all, whether the scores are good or bad. Instead, admissions are based on transcripts, personal essays, interviews, and extracurricular involvement.^{[10]
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- Hampshire College's policy is very unique, but it is possible that other colleges will adopt similar policies in the years to come.

Expert Q&A

Question

What makes a good college application letter?

Felipe Corredor
College Admissions Consultant
Felipe is a Senior College Admissions Consultant at American College Counselors with over seven years of experience. He specializes in helping clients from all around the world gain admission into America's top universities through private, one-on-one consulting. He helps guide clients through the entire college admissions process and perfect every aspect of their college applications. Felipe earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Chicago and recently received his MBA.

Felipe Corredor

College Admissions Consultant

Expert Answer

Well, your college application has to be personalized. Some more prestigious schools receive thousands of applications, and if you have an application essay that could be from any other student or any other school, it will definitely just kind of be forgotten.