Dartmouth Becomes 3rd Ivy League to Drop SAT/ACT for Class of 2025

After Columbia and Cornell dropped the SAT/ACT requirement for the 2020-21 admissions cycle, and the College Board called for universities to “show flexibility in admissions” due the COVID-19 pandemic, Dartmouth has joined the pack. 

In his announcement, Dean of Admissions Lee Coffin went to great lengths to communicate that “optional” means optional, and that students who do not submit scores will be at no disadvantage.

"Optional" is not a trick word. It is not a wink that signals a continued institutional preference for the upcoming admissions cycle. This is not a moment for euphemisms or gimmicks; there should be no parsing of intent with this amended testing policy. It is a clear response to an unprecedented moment that requires admission officers to reimagine some of the elements we have historically required as we reassure anxious students about their upcoming applications. Worries about oversubscribed test sites, anxiety regarding limited registration access and the incongruity of test prep during a quarantine can be set aside.

Dartmouth will accept any scores that students choose to submit, including AP or IB scores, and SAT Subject Tests. That said, Coffin has asked that students focus on grades, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.

At Ivy Link, we have repeatedly emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities in admissions. Yes, even this summer with interruptions relating to COVID-19, we have helped our students find compelling jobs, internships, and courses. If you don’t plan on submitting test scores, make sure other components of your application are competitive and compelling!