Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and many junior students missed the free, nationwide ACT test. Because of this, many colleges are waiving the requirement of submitting your ACT Score for admissions. Instead of having to submit ACT scores, colleges are giving students the option to use things like GPA, leadership positions, extra curriculars and essays to be able to acquire admission. Although admissions are being waived, ACT and many colleges still encourage students to take the test.

According to the ACT website,

“Students: Should I still take the ACT test if colleges and universities use test test-optional admissions policies?

ACT: Yes, but don’t just take our word for it. The University of Chicago, the first well-known university to go test test-optional, still encourages students to take the ACT or SAT.”

Although some colleges are making the submission of scores optional, not all are doing the same. Check with the admissions office or look on the website of the college you are applying to before deciding to opt out of submitting scores.

Looking at the website for the college you are interested in also should be done when looking for scholarships to apply to. The ACT website goes on to talk about scholarships and how they are being affected by the optional-test ACT.

“Students: Will I still qualify for merit scholarships if I don’t submit a test score to a test test-optional college?

ACT: Students with an ACT test score qualify for more scholarships. Even test-optional colleges often require a test score when awarding merit-based scholarships. Without an ACT score, you could be missing out on thousands of dollars in scholarship money.”

The website also goes on to list an example of a college that does not require test scores for admission but uses them to reward students with the highest-level merit scholarship, Academic Partnerships and entrance into Honors Programs.

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents/college-planning-articles/test-optional.html