Test‐optional policies fast‐tracked by COVID‐19 increase admissions equity

Abstract

Test‐optional admissions were front and center for Sonya K. Smith when she started as Vassar College's Dean of Admission and Student Financial Services in fall 2019. Data indicated that high school GPA is a much better indicator of success at Vassar than SAT and ACT scores, especially for students of color. Smith saw that, for many students, testing is a barrier that can cause institutions to overlook talented and diverse applicants.