Ellie Park, Photography Editor
After a four-year period during which students had the choice to include standardized test scores in their Yale College applications, the College is reinstating the requirement for test scores in the upcoming application cycle. However, in a new development, Yale will now accept not only SAT and ACT scores but also Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) scores to fulfill the standardized testing prerequisite. In a communication to high school counselors on Thursday, applicants will have the option to select one or more types of tests from a list comprising SAT, ACT, AP, and IB. Those opting for AP or IB will need to provide results from all subject exams they have completed.
In a statement posted on the admissions office website, the University outlined its perspective on the matter. It emphasized that a balanced approach incorporating tests as part of a holistic evaluation process can enhance diversity within the student body. Additionally, the University acknowledged that solely focusing on the ACT and SAT could deter capable students from considering Yale and that waiving test score requirements might inadvertently put certain student groups, such as those from low-income or first-generation backgrounds, at a disadvantage.
Yale is the second Ivy League institution to announce a long-term testing policy adjustment, following a similar decision by Dartmouth earlier this month. Unlike Yale, Dartmouth will not be accepting AP and IB scores to meet the testing criteria.
The admissions office indicated that the experience gained during the four-year test-optional phase enabled a reevaluation of the role of test scores in the admissions process. Insights from organizations like Opportunity Insights regarding the predictive value of standardized tests informed the decision-making process, as stated on the website.
Among the key findings from Opportunity Insights is the correlation between higher SAT and ACT scores and better college GPAs compared to students with lower scores. Furthermore, it was noted that high school GPAs alone are not reliable predictors of college success.
Despite the acceptance of a wider range of scores, the admissions office clarified that no preference will be given to any specific type of score, and submitting multiple scores will not confer an advantage to applicants.
Yale discouraged applicants from taking additional tests solely to increase the number of scores included in their application, emphasizing that an excessive focus on testing is not a prudent college preparation strategy.
Moving forward, the Yale-specific questions on various application platforms, including the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and the QuestBridge application, will feature a section for students to report the scores they wish to be considered for their Yale application.
Additionally, students will have the opportunity to explain any circumstances related to their testing experience in an optional question.
Under Yale’s holistic review framework, standardized test scores are viewed as a tool to provide context to other aspects of an application, such as high school GPA, according to the admissions office. While recognizing that no single exam can fully demonstrate a student’s college readiness or predict future performance accurately, tests can highlight academic strengths, complement high school grades, address gaps in transcripts due to extenuating circumstances, and identify students who excel within their academic environment.
The admissions officers, when evaluating applications without test scores, had to place greater emphasis on other application components, which often disadvantaged less affluent applicants, according to the statement.
Research conducted by the News earlier this month revealed that applicants receiving financial aid were less likely to submit scores with their Yale applications compared to their wealthier peers.
Since transitioning to a test-optional policy, Yale has observed a disproportionate increase in applications from first-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds. The School of Engineering saw a 13% increase in applications from first-generation students and a 19% increase from low-income students compared to the overall applicant pool.
Lower-income students, concerned that a score below Yale’s median might diminish other aspects of their application or lead to disqualification, often chose not to submit scores. However, research by Opportunity Insights suggests that lower-income students under-submit test scores due to a lack of understanding of how scores are evaluated in context.
Yale’s recent statements align with this research, emphasizing that a score below the median can actually help identify standout applicants within their academic or personal context.
The admissions office highlighted the disparities in resources available to students from different high schools, noting that students from less affluent schools may lack access to advanced courses that showcase their academic abilities. By including a score with their application, even if below Yale’s median range, students from such schools can provide the admissions committee with more confidence in their academic potential.
In addition to the surge in applications from first-generation and low-income students, Yale has experienced a 130% increase in applications from international students since adopting the test-optional policy in 2020, outpacing the growth rate of domestic applicants.
Numerous international students shared their challenges in accessing the SAT and ACT in their home countries, often having to travel long distances, sometimes to other countries, to take the tests. This process was perceived as favoring wealthier applicants.
Looking ahead, Yale aims to ensure that the inclusion of AP and IB scores in the accepted scores list does not disadvantage students who did not plan to take the ACT or SAT.
While expressing confidence in the new test-flexible model, Yale’s Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Jeremiah Quinlan emphasized the policy’s adaptability to future changes in standardized testing. The University remains open to incorporating new tests or alternatives to the SAT or ACT based on ongoing developments in the testing landscape.
Yale initially introduced its test-optional policy in June 2020.
MOLLY REINMANN
Molly Reinmann reports on Admissions, Financial Aid & Alumni for the News. Originally from Westchester, New York, she is a sophomore in Berkeley College majoring in American Studies.