Over the past few years, efforts have been made to encourage more colleges to accept self-reported SAT and ACT scores from students during the application process and only require official reports when a student actually enrolls. Leaders of this push have included Gabrielle McColgan, James Murphy, Marie Bigham, and many other contributors.
Why the growing movement?
Among the many expenses that add up in the college admission process are application fees, test registration fees, and official score report fees. Many students are eligible to have these fees waived, but other students who don’t qualify for waivers may still find the costs to be a burden. A typical scenario might involve a student taking both the SAT and ACT once or twice, applying to 8–10 colleges, and spending a few hundred dollars simply to have official score reports sent to each college.
Colleges in the list below have stipulated that students may self-report their test scores in their applications. Click on the name of the college to visit the page on the school’s website where the policy is explained. Note that colleges may still require official scores for international and home-schooled students.
Our goal is to see this list grow and make it as comprehensive as possible. Please add a comment and provide the policy page link if you come across a school not listed. Note that only colleges that have written policies on their websites or in application materials are included here.
Please note: This is not an exhaustive list. There are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the country, and we have not examined the self-reporting policies at each one. The completeness of this list relies heavily on crowdsourced data.
Please note: All colleges require official test scores upon enrollment; these are application policies only. Some schools may have different requirements to be eligible for merit-based scholarships. Students should check directly with each college to confirm they have the most recent and accurate policy information.
Roger Williams: https://www.rwu.edu/undergraduate/admission-aid/first-year-applicants/standardized-test-optional-policy
We’ve added this one as well!
I applaud this movement and the work of the advocates who have inspired and encouraged it!
Please add Clark University: https://apply.clarku.edu/register/selfreporttestscores
I don’t have a website link but I understand that Dartmouth also allows self-reported scores.
Thank you for letting us know about Clark University, Leslie – we’ve added it to the list. I didn’t see anything official on Dartmouth’s website either, but we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for any hints that they allow self-reporting!
Fordham accepts counselor-reported “official” test scores
https://www.fordham.edu/info/23829/test_scores
Thank you for letting us know, Laura! We added Fordham (with an asterisk).
I think Yale accepts self-reported scores. https://admissions.yale.edu/standardized-testing
Hi Adelaide,
Yale does accept self-reported scores! They are on our list.
This list rocks! Thank you everyone for making this a priority & Compass for compiling it. We’re close to sharing it with our seniors.
Thank you, Oya! We’re so glad our list is helpful to you and your students.
Hi Art/Margaux,
What I heard is that even though colleges on the list you have on your website allow self-reported scores, they may not consider you for merit scholarships unless you send “official” score reports via College Board. In other words, self-reporting (for colleges in the list above) is fine for admissions, but not necessarily fine for being considered for merit scholarships. It will be great if you can provide insight into this. Thanks.
Hi Umesh,
While I don’t know of any schools off-hand that have such a policy, it’s certainly possible. We do know that all schools require official scores upon enrollment, and there are some Test Optional schools that require you to submit standardized test scores to be considered for merit scholarships. Because individual admissions and scholarship policies can vary so widely, we always advise students to check with schools before submitting their applications. Best of luck!
Thanks Margaux.
Appalachian State University accepts self-reported test scores.
https://admissions.appstate.edu/how-apply/first-year-students
We’ve added App State to the list – thank you for letting us know!
St. Lawrence University is now accepting self-reported scores. Here’s the link: https://www.stlawu.edu/admissions/first-year-students
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you for this information – we have added St. Lawrence to the list!
Hi! Occidental also announced that students can self-report. Here is the link where it’s stated: https://www.oxy.edu/admission-aid/apply/application-requirements/standardized-testing
Thanks so much!
Thank you for passing this information along, Jillian! We’ve added Oxy.
Mount Holyoke’s website is now updated and we accept self-reported scores.
Thank you for letting us know! We’ve added Mount Holyoke.
Looks like Loyola Chicago is the next to add – Review Changes To Loyola’s Application Process
Loyola Accepts Self-Reported Test Scores
Beginning this fall, first-year applicants may self-report ACT and/or SAT scores on the application. Applicants who are offered admission and choose to matriculate at Loyola will be required to provide official results prior to enrolling. Students are encouraged to submit all of their scores. Loyola superscores the ACT and SAT. Students required to submit English proficiency test results (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE) should continue to send those scores through the testing services. REVIEW THE FRESHMAN APPLICATION PROCESS
Hi Holly,
Thanks for letting us know about Loyola Chicago’s update – we have added them to the list!
You can add the University of Notre Dame to the list! https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/faqs/
Thanks for the heads-up, Holly! We have added Notre Dame.
It looks like University of Miami should be added to the list https://admissions.miami.edu/undergraduate/application-process/admission-requirements/freshman/index.html
Hi Andrea,
Thank you for this info – we have added University of Miami to the list!
We just received word from the Dean of Admissions that the University of Richmond will now accept self-reported testing. https://admissions.richmond.edu/process/early-action.html
Thanks!
Thanks for the update, Erin! We added University of Richmond.
Hi! You can add Villanova University to your list: https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/admission/overview.html. We changed our policy starting Fall 2019. Thanks!
Hi Matthew,
Thank you for reaching out! We have added Villanova to our list.
UNC Charlotte also accepts self-reported test scores: https://admissions.uncc.edu/freshmen/application-requirements/self-reported-test-scores. Thanks!
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for letting us know! Our list has been updated with UNC Charlotte.
The University of Delaware just went to self-reported scores for this year! https://www.udel.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/requirements/
Thanks for the heads up, Ross! We have added UD to the list.
NC State University should come off the list. Their webpage (linked in your chart) says scores must be sent from the testing agency.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for reaching out! NC State posted a press release earlier this year with an update that they would accept self-reported scores. “This fall NC State will accept self-reported test scores from domestic freshman and transfer applicants through the Common Application or Coalition Application. […] Only students who ultimately decide to enroll at NC State will need to have official test scores sent to our office prior to enrolling.” It appears they haven’t updated their application website, though. So, for now, we have changed our link to the official update from the school.
https://admissions.ncsu.edu/2019/05/17/fall-2020-application-updates/
Please add University of Pennsylvania to the list! https://admissions.upenn.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid/what-penn-looks-for/testing
Thank you, Gabi! We added it to the list.
Carthage College also accepts self-reported scores.
Thank you for letting us know, we have added it to the list!
Is this list being updated for the 2019-20 application cycle?
Hi Lisa,
We keep this list updated as colleges make announcements of their changed procedures. But as part of our summer comb-through of policies, we’ll also be updating the list with any schools whose announcements we missed. If you ever encounter a school with a self-reporting policy that is not on this list, feel free to email guide@compassprep.com. Thank you!
The College of Wooster accepts self-reported scores.
Link: https://www.wooster.edu/admissions/apply/firstyear/policy/
Kaushik,
Thank you for the information. We have updated the post to reflect College of Wooster’s policy.
Connecticut College does too:
https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/apply/standardized-test-policy/
Rodrigo,
Sorry for the holiday delay. We’ve updated the information for Connecticut College.
Please add Beloit College to the list as well. Here’s the relevant link:
https://www.beloit.edu/admission/apply/firstyearapplicants/
Bipal,
Catching up post holidays. Beloit has been added.
Carleton College – https://www.carleton.edu/admissions/apply/steps/materials/#materials
Great! We’ve updated the list to include Carleton.
Please add Lafayette college
https://admissions.lafayette.edu/first-year-applicants/
Natalie,
We’ve updated the list to include Lafayette. Thanks!
Marist is accepting self reported test scores.
Kent,
Could you point me to the policy on the website? I am not finding specific language on self-reporting. Thank you!
Oswego State (SUNY) https://www.oswego.edu/admissions/freshman-apply
Thank you for the update, Alaina. We’ve added Oswego to the list.
Sorry, Art, Wellesley is already on the list. Please ignore. 🙂
Thank you for thinking of us, Gabi. So happy to see that Wellesley finally dropped its ACT w/Writing requirement!
Binghamton University (SUNY) has joined the movement: https://www.binghamton.edu/admissions/info/test-policy.html
Gabi,
Added to the movement.
Please add University of Redlands!
Done. Thank you, Anna.
Millsaps College also.
Millsaps College has been added. Thank you, Robert.
Here’s the link for SMU’s self-reporting policy: https://www.smu.edu/Admission/ConnectWithUs/FAQ
Thank you, Gabrielle! We’ve updated SMU with the policy link.
Test scores provided by the high school are considered official at Ohio University.
https://www.ohio.edu/admissions/freshman/apply (under the “Application Materials” header)
Great, Andy. I’ve updated the site with Ohio University’s policy.
RIT allows students to self-report test scores on the application or through their admissions portal site (once they have submitted their application for admission). The student will be required to submit their official scores once they choose to enroll at RIT.
Thank you for the detailed information, Edward. RIT has been added to the list.
Thank you for adding Franklin Pierce University to the list, however, it only says Franklin Pierce . Can you please have it say Franklin Pierce University?
Thank you so much!
Fixed!
I believe all UC’s accept self reported scores.
C,
The standard we are trying to apply is that a college or university makes it very clear that a student can self-report and that an official report is not needed until after an offer of admission. The information from the UC website and on its application materials does not, AFAIK, offer that level of clarity.
Please add Franklin Pierce University to the list. Thank you!
https://www.franklinpierce.edu/admissions/undergraduate-rindge.htm
Melissa,
You’ll find Franklin Pierce on the list shortly. Thank you for the information.
Pacific Lutheran University allows self-reported test scores: https://www.plu.edu/admission-first-year/apply/#test-optional
Thanks for creating this list and keeping it updated.
Thank you for the link, Melody. You’ll see Pacific Lutheran on the list shortly.
We’re happy to give encouragement to this trend.
Many thanks to Adam, Art, et. al. for this helpful information…a labor of love for sure!
Alan Haas,
President
EDUCATIONAL FUTURES
New Canaan, CT.
Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon also allows self-reported scores for application completion.
Erica,
We’ll add Lewis & Clark to the list shortly. Thank you. https://college.lclark.edu/offices/admissions/apply/policies/
Union College in NY also accepts self reported scores.
Thank you, David. We’ll add the link to your policy shortly: https://www.union.edu/admissions/apply/first-year
Southern Methodist University’s Associate VP of Enrollment Management, Wes Waggoner, has reported to me that: ” Yes! SMU now allows self-reported scores on application, AND we will also superscore the ACT [in addition to the SAT]. Students who deposit will send official score reports on file for all test dates used in the superscore.” A link to this policy explanation on SMU’s website will be forthcoming.
New additions in last 24 hours via requests by college admission officers: Florida Atlantic University, George Mason University, Loyola Marymount University, Scripps College, Shenandoah University, and Valparaiso University. Let’s keep them coming!
Thanks for creating this list. Please add The University of Tulsa. https://admission.utulsa.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/
University of Tulsa is now on the list! Thanks, Teresa.
College of Charleston http://admissions.cofc.edu/applyingtothecollege/freshmen/partsoftheapplication.php
Erin,
College of Charleston has been added. Thanks for the information.
Please also add Valparaiso University to this list. Thank you!
https://www.valpo.edu/admission/undergrad/apply/
Valpo has been added. Thanks, Bart.
Northern Michigan University publicly states we will accept test scores as official if they are provided on an official high school transcript.
http://www.nmu.edu/admissions/requirements
Thank you, Gerri. The list has been updated.
Please add Whitman College!
https://www.whitman.edu/admission-and-aid/applying-to-whitman/testing-policy
Thanks, Adam. We’ve added Whitman.
DePauw University also accepts self-reported scores! The policy can be found here: https://www.depauw.edu/admission-aid/apply/first-year-applicants/
That’s great, Amanda. We’ve added DePauw.