Is the SAT still required?

Hey guys, I've heard some conflicting information. Is it now required to take the SAT for college admissions? Are there colleges that make it optional? Any advice on this would be appreciated!

The requirement for the SAT varies depending on the college or university you're applying to. While some schools have reinstated the requirement for standardized test scores (such as Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech), many other schools still have test-optional policies. This means that at those test-optional institutions, you can choose whether or not to submit your SAT (or ACT) scores as part of your application.

Examples of notable test-optional schools include Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and UChicago. Additionally, schools like UNC Chapel Hill, UMich, USC, UW Madison, UW, and Drexel are test-optional as well.

It's important to research the specific requirements for each school you're interested in applying to, as policies can change from year to year. While the SAT requirement depends on the institution, taking the test can still be beneficial if you perform well since it can help demonstrate your academic readiness for college.

When deciding whether to submit your scores or not, consider how your scores compare to those of accepted students at the colleges you're considering. If your scores are within or above their middle 50% score range, it might be advantageous to submit them. If not, you may want to focus on other aspects of your application, such as your GPA, extracurriculars, and essays.

Good luck with your college applications!