Sheldon, Iowa – Students across the nation are likely breathing a collective sigh of relief. Applying to college involves gathering a lot of information and meeting specific requirements. One of those requirements, submitting ACT or SAT test scores, has been waived by a score of schools in the US.
The COVID-19 pandemic that caused school shut downs this past spring meant that many high school students were not able to take their scheduled ACT or SAT. Colleges everywhere have recognized this fact and are making accommodations so students can still apply, and be accepted, to attend college this semester and beyond. In fact, more than 60% of 4-year institutions are not requiring these test scores for fall 2021 admission.
While some colleges are simply eliminating the standardized test requirement altogether, others are changing their requirements and accepting other information, such as essays, portfolios, and other demonstrations of academic potential, to base acceptance upon.
Opting out of submitting these test scores as a requirement for college admission isn’t an entirely new development. The National Center for Fair & Open Testing cites that the test-optional phenomena has been taking place for more than 15 years, and the number of schools added to the list grows with each passing year.
Below is a list of schools in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota that have suspended, eliminated, made ACT or SAT scores optional, or have never required them as part of their admission process. This is not a complete list, and for details on admission requirements, students should contact the schools.
IOWA
Buena Vista University — Storm Lake
Central College — Pella
Cornell College — Mount Vernon
Drake University — Des Moines
Grinnell College — Grinnell
Iowa State University — Ames
Luther College — Decorah
Mount Mercy University — Cedar Rapids
Northwestern College — Orange City
Simpson College — Indianola
University of Iowa — Iowa City
University of Northern Iowa — Cedar Falls
Wartburg College — Waverly
MINNESOTA
Capella University — Minneapolis
College of Saint Benedict — St. Joseph
Concordia College — Moorhead
Concordia University — St. Paul
Minnesota State University — Several locations
Salem College — Winston-Salem
Southwest Minnesota State University — Marshall
St. Olaf College — Northfield
University of Minnesota — Several locations
NEBRASKA
Bellevue University — Omaha
Concordia University — Seward
Creighton University — Omaha
Doane University — Crete
Hastings College — Hastings
Midland University — Fremont
Nebraska Wesleyan University — Lincoln
University of Nebraska — Several locations
Wayne State College — Wayne
SOUTH DAKOTA
Augustana University — Sioux Falls
Dakota State University — Madison
Northern State University — Aberdeen
South Dakota State University — Brookings
University of South Dakota — Vermillion
