Georgia unbending on SAT/ACT requirements

Because of pandemic, campuses across nation cut students a break on tests, but not USG.

The University System of Georgia is insisting its campuses continue to require ACT/SAT scores in the coming admissions cycle.

With its stance, USG is standing in a rapidly emptying room.

Every day more campuses conclude it’s unfair to ask applicants to submit standardized scores amid a coronavirus pandemic that’s disrupted high school classes and canceled ACT and SAT spring and early summer testing dates. The University of Texas at Austin and Emory University announced last week that they will not require standardized tests for first-year applicants who want to enroll for the 2021-2022 academic year.

At Emory, the policy applies to Emory College of Arts and

Sciences and Oxford College, and all decision plans, including early and regular decision, and for consideration of all merit scholarships, including membership in any of Emory’s Scholar Programs. “As we continue to focus on greater access to higher education, the shift in policy equalizes the playing field for all students regardless of their testing circumstances,” says Kelley Lips, dean of enrollment services for Oxford College.

USG has told admission offices they must use ACT/SAT scores in the traditional way for the spring and fall 2021, although it said it will monitor the situation. I reached out to Tristan Denley, chief academic officer at the University System of Georgia, about the possible implications for Georgia public campuses of clinging to admission tests but have not heard back from him.

“Many highly competitive institutions — both public and private — have demonstrated that test-optional policies work,” said Robert Schaeffer, public education director of the National Center for Fair