By: Camila Mota, Copy Editor

The SAT is an important determining factor for any college-bound student’s educational future. For years, this renowned standardized test was considered to be the top priority in terms of a student’s application. Yet, it seems that recently colleges and universities are changing their minds; now these hallmarks of knowledge are saying that SAT scores really aren’t that important.

Colleges and universities are gradually not taking the SAT into consideration for a variety of reasons. One being the idea that not requiring the SAT will increase the level of cultural diversity within student populations. However, many schools believe that the number of students that apply will not be affected by the dismissal of the SAT. Universities have discovered that students from all kinds of backgrounds are attracted to the idea that the school is not basing their merit off of a score.

Junior Lindsay Martin said, “If the SAT is not required by colleges, I think more people will be willing to apply. There should be some other standards and regulations for acceptance.”

A large amount of universities, such as American University, have adopted the “test optional” policy which allows the applicant to decide whether or not they would like to submit their test scores. However, some schools have gone even further in implementing the “test blind” policy, which rejects all standardized test scores submitted to the university.

Senior Isabella Sirkis said, “Colleges will probably decide to base a student’s merit solely off of their grade point average, along with comparison to the level of classes taken.”

Performing arts universities, for example, see the SAT as a blockade from the faculty being able to see the specific attributes of the applicants they are looking for. Religiously affiliated universities also seem to agree with this idea of the SAT, due to the fact that testing scores are not fundamental to their principles.

Junior Michael Martin said, “Standardized tests should not be a huge factor in a student’s college future. They’re too broad. Granted, the subjects tested are important, but students go to college to begin a career. It’s more important to focus on what will carry one through life than a generic standardized test made for everyone and anyone.”

In the eyes of both students and college faculty, the SAT has become a burden rather than a blessing. Many students believe that taking the SAT adds a certain level of pressure which will not be significant in the future. Perhaps at some point, universities in the U.S. as a whole will stop requiring standardized test scores. However, make sure to remember the application deadlines for universities that still require the SAT, which can be checked on College Board’s university profiles here.