The Competitive Landscape

The following is a sampling of admission statistics for well-known colleges. The information was reported by colleges for their incoming class.

Schools with test optional policies give students the choice of submitting or not submitting standardized testing scores as part of their applications. If scores are sent, most schools will consider the scores; note that admissions offices focus on positive signs to admit students rather than looking for reasons to reject applications.

Schools that are test blind do not consider standardized testing scores even if scores are sent. It is important to note that while many schools have test-optional policies, most of the more selective and larger state schools require standardized testing scores.

Colleges that accept self-reporting of scores do not require official score reports until after the student is admitted in order to verify their self-reported scores.

College selectivity is often measured by the school’s Acceptance Rate. Yield is a measure of the school’s ability to enroll its accepted candidates. While some of the most selective schools yield a very high percentage of candidates, many competitive schools enroll fewer than half of their admitted candidates.

Students submitting scores indicate the percentage of first-time, first-year, enrolled students that submitted the SAT, ACT, or both.

College testing requirements are constantly shifting. Directly contact admission offices for updates and specific requirements.