"Test Optional" for Fall 2021 UC/CSU applicants - what does it mean?

Testing: CSU and UC campuses have both announced that their applications will be ‘test optional’ for the Class of 2021 and possibly for future years. What does that mean for you?

Class of 2021: For those of you who have taken a test, you should still submit the score if it is a strong score (check out the averages of the university you are applying to - if your score is above the 50% percentile range, you should submit it).

Class of 2021 and 22: What if you don’t have a score or wanted to take the SAT or ACT again? 

SAT will open its fall testing registration - look for an email on/after May 26th. The College Board (SAT’s parent company) announced that it will give priority registration for their new Sept. date and other fall test dates to those students who were registered for the June SAT and to those students who have yet to have any testing done. There will likely be little room to offer the Subject tests this fall, and don’t expect any university to make that ‘mandatory’ as part of your application for 2021. 

So, with no test, how will your college application be evaluated in 2021 for the UC/CSUs? 

CSU- stay tuned until after June 1st counselor webinar - I will post their announcements. Will GPA be the only evaluation point for the CSU app? Doubtful - expect to possibly have to submit 1st quarter Fall 2020 grades or answer some short questions in their applications. 

UC - expect that a Personal Insight Question will be added about what you did/how you handled your time of shelter in place and this summer. We should know more about the UC system before August 1st when the UC application opens.

Bottom line, test optional route is a way for you to take a deep breath. Do what you CAN control - if you can’t take a test before applications are due, you are not alone and that will NOT affect your admissions chances. But, think of what you CAN control and set goals on ways you can show the admissions officers who you are and what you care about! Develop your action plan - even small changes to how you help your family or others in your community or what you learn more about on your own ALL shows self reliance and growth! And, keep asking QUESTIONS of the universities and watch how they handle their campus openings this fall and their updates on admissions guidelines- that will show a lot of the character of each campus and how they treat their students! I will be posting more about updates all summer long - stay tuned!