20 Universities that are not requiring the SAT for 2021
Tags: Sat, University, Post Secondary, Youth, Ivy League

By Yolanda Zhang

In the college application process, an admissions test called the SAT is used widely amongst American schools. This 3 hours and 50-minute test comprises of three main components; math, evidence-based reading, and writing. Although this test can seem daunting, the SAT is only one of the many factors determining an applicant’s acceptance to a school. The main reason as to why schools use the SAT in the admissions process is to make sure applicants have mastered skills taught in high school. The test also allows schools to get a better understanding of the applicant’s academic skills.

Until recently, the SAT was required by over 80% of American schools. Due to the ongoing pandemic this year, Collegeboard (the organization that administers the SAT) had to postpone and cancel many SATs. As a result, many students did not get the opportunity to take the SAT. Some students may be fortunate enough to take a test before application deadlines, but others may not. To ensure the application process’s fairness, many post-secondary and higher education institutions have decided to waive the SAT for the 2021 academic year. Although the test is no longer mandatory, students are still welcome to submit their test scores if they feel it will benefit them. However, not submitting will not make a difference in the decision-making process.

Some schools are only making the SAT optional for 2021, while some schools are making it optional for years after. This decision was due to colleges realizing that not all students thrive in a test-taking environment. Sitting in a room with 40 other stressed students for nearly 4 hours is not an atmosphere many people can perform well. Instead of heavily relying upon the SAT to determine an applicant’s suitability, colleges will now rely more on extracurriculars, essays, school grades, and recommendation letters.

If you are someone who had their SAT cancelled or does not perform well during tests, here is a list of 20 leading schools that will not require the SAT for 2021.

University of California (Los Angeles, Irvine, Berkeley, Davis, etc.)

A public university system with 10 separate campuses across the state. California’s state university system is the best in America; its world-class facilities drew in over 176,530 freshman applicants in 2019. The Berkeley and Los Angeles campuses are ranked as America’s top public universities, and many other UC’s are in the top 50.

2. John Hopkins University

A private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. It is most known for its medical schools, as most of the students are studying Biomedical Engineering, Public Health, Neuroscience, or are on the pre-med track. This school consistently ranks among the nation’s best schools and top medical programs.

3. Harvard University

A private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is the longest-standing higher education school in America. Many traditions have remained on campus, resulting in 98% of students living on campus for all four years of undergraduate. A benefit of attending the oldest college in America is having an extensive alumni network. Many well-known figures are Harvard alumni, from Bill Gates to Barack Obama.

4. Williams College

A private liberal arts college (an institution that primarily focuses on undergraduate students) in Williamstown, Massachusetts. With a little over 2,000 students, the small size allows for a seven to one student to faculty ratio, supporting students to create close relationships with professors and mentors. The college’s programs are separated into languages and arts, social sciences and sciences, and mathematics. Students must take at least three classes in each of the programs, encouraging exploration in different fields.

5. Rice University

A private research university in Houston, Texas. The university is well-known for its top-notch arts and humanities programs. The campus is in Houston, allowing students to live an urban, city life. Students say that there are networking events every night of the week.

6. Stanford University

A private research university in Stanford, California, 30 minutes away from the city of San Francisco. Stanford is consistently ranked in the top 5 institutions in the world, resulting in a highly competitive atmosphere, with a low acceptance rate of only 4%. The most popular majors at Stanford include: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

7. University of Chicago

A private research university in Chicago, Illinois. It offers world-class academics, as well as generous financial aid which draws in many first-generation students. They have many unique classes, all using a theoretical approach to teaching. Some classes that are known for their theoretical approach are: Social Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, and Public Administration.

8. Yale University

A private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut. As one of the oldest higher learning institutions, it’s academic reputation is well established. Apart from its excellent classroom reputation, Yale is also known for its outstanding music and drama programs.

9. Cornell University

A private Ivy League research university in Ithaca, New York. Cornell is known for its world-renowned School of Hotel Administration in its business school. It is also known for its highly ranked College of Veterinary Medicine.

10. New York University

A private research university in New York City. This urban school is most known for its business school and Tisch School of Arts and Stern School of Business. These programs draw in students from around the globe, making them highly selective. It also has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.

11. Dartmouth College

A private Ivy League research university in Hanover, New Hampshire. This suburban school has the smallest class sizes of all Ivy League schools. They offer multiple study abroad programs including Language programs in Blois France, philosophy studies in Scotland, and Foreign Study programs in Russia, China, and Germany.

12. Columbia University

A private Ivy League research university in New York City. It has a beautiful, spacious campus in Upper Manhattan. The school is composed of three undergraduate schools; The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of General Studies. It is affiliated with Barnard College, a women’s liberal arts school.

13. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is known as one of the best science and engineering schools in the world, and the best architecture program in America. At MIT, undergraduate students are able to conduct their own research, which is not common in most schools.

14. University of Notre Dame

A private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana. Although there is no Greek life on campus, many students enjoy hanging out in the halls to study, socialize or cheer on sports teams. Some of Notre Dame’s most popular and successful majors are finance, accounting, mechanical engineering, and political science.

15. Pomona College

A private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. The student population at this school is an extremely low number of under 2000 undergraduates. The close-knit community has helped the school rank number one out of all liberal arts colleges. Many graduates praise the school for its many leadership opportunities that boost resumes.

16. Carnegie Mellon University

A private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is known for its outstanding programs in science and technology, and most recently its business programs have had many successful outcomes.

17. Duke University

A private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Many students say that Duke allows for the perfect balance between “work” and “play”, improving their college experience. The school also offers many free performances, lectures and events that are known to benefit students in networking. The most popular majors at Duke include: Computer Science, Biology, and Psychology.

18. Northwestern University

Private research university in Evanston, Illinois. This school is renowned for its Medill School of Journalism, Kellogg School of Management, and Bienen School of Music. It is also recognized for its innovative research and vibrant school energy.

19. Brown University

A private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown is known for its undergraduate freedom, allowing students to design their own courses with the Open Curriculum. Its art program also has an outstanding reputation. Brown is also the most undergraduate-focused college in the Ivy League.

20. Wellesley College

A private women’s liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Wellesley is one of the highly prestigious and historical Seven Sisters colleges (highly selective liberal arts colleges in the Northeastern United States). The most popular majors here are social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, computer and information sciences and support services.