Most of NJ’s colleges and universities are not requiring SAT or ACT scores for Class of 2021 graduates

Nov. 30, 2020

By Aidan Cabrera
Staff Writer

The SAT and ACT have long been regarded as one of the scariest parts of the college admissions process. During an already challenging year, this year’s current high school seniors can breathe a sigh of relief because 20 of New Jersey’s 27 four-year colleges and universities have made these tests optional for the Class of 2021 graduates.

New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark and Ramapo College in Mahwah have even extended this test-optional policy to apply to graduates from the Class of 2022. The College of New Jersey in Ewing is taking it a step further. Its admissions process will remain test-optional through 2023.

Meanwhile, Centenary University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Felician University, Lincoln College of Technology, New Jersey City University, Saint Elizabeth University and Thomas Edison State University are all requiring SAT or ACT scores.

This change has students reconsidering the schools to which they will be applying because even competitive schools such as Seton Hall University in South Orange and Princeton University in Princeton have made test scores optional this year.

Senior Steven Galicia said he will not be taking the SAT or ACT because it is not required for the schools to which he is applying.

“I am happy that certain schools are not requiring the SAT because I haven’t even taken the test yet,” Galicia said. “I am looking forward to applying to my future college because I hate taking tests, and now that I don’t have to, I feel like I can make it into college easier.”

Galicia said his first-choice school is Rutgers-New Brunswick.

“I picked Rutgers because it’s one of the best colleges in New Jersey, and I think it would make my parents happy if I were to be accepted,” Galicia said.

Guidance counselor Ms. Leidemer said taking the SAT or ACT can still be advantageous for students who did well.

“Even though the test isn’t required, students should still submit their scores because of how it might look to certain colleges,” Leidemer said.

She said students who are not planning to submit test scores need to find alternative methods to make their applications stand out.

“Even though some kids might not want to take it, they might as well take it to see if they get a good score.”

“Other ways students could show how they could be accepted into college is by the sports they have played, community service and other clubs and activities found throughout the school,” Leidemer said.

As postsecondary schools adapt to admissions criteria that do not include the SAT and ACT, experts say these tests might become a “thing of the past.”

“Word out there is that [colleges and universities] might make it optional permanently, but it’s not definite at the moment,” Leidemer said.

Junior Kane Henrichsen, who said his first-choice school is Stockton University in Galloway Township, which does not require SAT scores, said standardized tests do not indicate one’s future success.

“There are many different paths people can go in life. If someone is not good at test-taking and gets a bad SAT score, that doesn’t mean they won’t be successful. They can still be good at many other things in life,” Henrichsen said.

He said colleges and universities should still give students the option to submit scores from their college entrance exams.

“Even though some kids might not want to take it, they might as well take it to see if they get a good score,” Henrichsen said. “It could improve their chances of getting into the college of their choice.”

Despite the pandemic, Henrichsen opted to take the PSAT that was offered at LHS to sophomores and juniors on Oct. 14.

“I am planning on taking the SAT this year as well,” Henrichsen said. “I will still submit my scores to colleges if I get a good score.”