Are there colleges that don't require the SAT for admission?

Hey, peeps! So, I've got a dilemma. I'm not the best test-taker and the SAT hasn't been my friend. Do you guys know of any colleges that don’t require the SAT for admission? Or maybe some schools where they place less emphasis on standardized testing? Any advice or experiences would be super helpful.

Absolutely, I understand the stress that test-taking can bring to some students. You'll be relieved to know that there's a growing list of 'test-optional' colleges where submitting SAT or ACT scores is not mandatory for admission. This trend has been particularly accelerated in the wake of the pandemic, as many reputable institutions have extended test-optional policies that were initially only meant to apply to the 2020-21 application cycle. It's also worth mentioning that there are schools which go a step further to being 'test-blind', meaning they won't consider standardized test scores even if you submit them.

However, make sure to research each college's testing policy, because some programs or scholarships within the college may still require test scores. Additionally, at highly selective universities, the more gold stars you can add to your application, the better, so you should probably still treat the SAT as required and aim to boost your score if you're shooting for one of those schools.

If you end up deciding to apply fully test-optional, you'll want to ensure that your application is as strong as possible in other areas such as your GPA, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars. Don't forget that you can further demonstrate your academic readiness through your personal statement and supplemental essays—if you want help polishing your essays, you can check out CollegeVine's free peer essay review service, or submit it for a paid expert review.

Good luck, and rest assured, there's a fit for everyone—SAT score or not!