Wake Forest Makes SAT Optional
Wake Forest University, ranked no. 30 in the most recent U.S. News & World Report list, is ending its SAT requirement for applicants, beginning today. The university will allow applicants to submit scores if they want. In order to study the impact of the policy and success levels of students, they will ask all accepted applicants who have taken the SAT to submit their scores.
Provost Jill Tiefenthaler reviewed the research on the test with university admissions officials and found that the SAT "is not a great predictor of college success." Additionally, she believes the test actually discourages applications from minority applicants, who see the test as biased. Wake Forest doesn't believe it is diverse enough and continues to search for ways to get their percentage up. Minority students currently make up around 16 percent of the undergraduate class.
The university is also increasing the size of its admissions office by 20 percent, in order to enhance recruiting and still provide careful application reviews. Additionally, the school hopes to use the office increase to encourage more applicant interviews; only 10 percent of the applicants currently do so. The office will also start offering virtual interviews to assist those unable to visit the school.
Many colleges that have dropped the SAT requirements have experienced a surge in applications, especially from minority students.
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