Colleges see longer waitlists after removing ACT/SAT requirements

(WSIL)–A lot of U-S colleges are in a tricky spot right now.

How many students should they admit for next school year?

Some universities around the country are finding themselves wait listing potential students.

One of the biggest issues universities are finding is that students are flooding applications for ACT or SAT optional schools.

The pandemic caused many students to be unable to take standardized tests, causing students to focus on applying to universities that do not require the tests.

Some universities got rid of the ACT/SAT requirement for the pandemic.

SIU removed their standardized test requirements in 2019, which they believe gave them an edge for handling more applications.

“Because we were kinda ahead of the game, we understood and we were prepared for the increase of students and also the appeal of SIU,” said John Frost, the Director of Undergraduate Admissons.

Last year, SIU saw a 30% rise in applications and is continuing to see a rise this year, but they do not have concrete numbers yet.

More than 1,600 four-year colleges didn’t require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, which led to an increase in the number of students applying to selective colleges that are test-optional.

According to the Common App, which many students use to apply for college, 46% of students who applied for school submitted standardized test scores, compared to the 77% from the year prior.