Bummed out by your SAT score? Good news, it's not the end of the world. The College Board, a once formidable institution, has begun to shown cracks in recent years. Critics have attacked the SAT's ability to predict future academic success as well as its overemphasis in college admissions. As a result, there's been a growing number of colleges switching to test-optional admissions requirements, which means that there are more opportunities for students who don't perform well on standardized tests. Though most institutions, including the Ivies, continue to require SAT or ACT scores, many highly regarded liberal arts colleges and private schools have joined the test-optional movement.
The National Center for Fair & Open Testing has a full list of schools that don't require the SAT or ACT. These are just a few we wanted to highlight:
Smith College- This women's college is one of the most respected liberal arts schools in America -- and one of the toughest to get into. Thankfully, they're no longer factoring the SAT into their admissions decisions, so poor test-takers stand a chance at experiencing world-class academics and one-on-one advising at this Northhampton, Massachusetts school. Known for its driven, passionate students, Smith guarantees each undergraduate at least one college-funded internship during their education. You can get a taste of life as a "Smithie" by reading these student blogs.
Pitzer College- One of the seven schools that make up the consortium known as the Claremont Colleges, Pitzer offers small class sizes and individualized attention while the consortium offers students the resources of a large university. An added benefit: students can also take classes or use facilities at the other four undergraduate schools. Known for its interdisciplinary focus and progressive, "alternative" curriculum, Pitzer has strong programs in psychology and media studies.
Wake Forest University- At the most elite of test-optional schools, undergraduates get a free laptop, a free printer, and Division I sports teams. Wake Forest University in North Carolina isn't an Ivy, but it ought to be. Ranked at #28 in the U.S. News and World Report college rankings, Wake Forest offers strong undergraduate programs in pre-med and business and also boasts an impressive study abroad program, in which half of undergraduates participate.
University of Iowa- This Big Ten college has more than athletics to boast about. It's home to 21 top-ten graduate programs (according to the most recent U.S. News and World Report) and the renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop, the first creative writing program of its kind. A nationally ranked university, this public school also offers one of the best bangs you'll get for your buck in the Midwest.
Bowdoin College- Located in Brunswick, Maine, Bowdoin is a small but noteworthy institution with a commitment to diversity. Despite a modest endowment, it follows a "need-blind" admissions policy and is one of the few schools (among Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and others) with a "no-loans" policy. In 2008, the college announced that it would be replacing all loans with grants and stated that it would meet its students' full demonstrated need for all four years of their education. It's no surprise that the school is one of the most socioeconomically diverse liberal arts schools -- as well as one of the most prestigious.