Tulane University will remain test-optional for 2021-22 applicants
For the second consecutive year, Tulane University will remain test-optional for students applying this fall for a spot in Tulane’s 2022 entering class. Going “test-optional” means these students will not be required to submit test scores for the SAT or ACT as part of the Tulane admissions process.
Tulane first enacted the policy change in April 2020 due to multiple test cancelations around the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Less than a year later, some students are still faced with the same challenges of remote learning due to closed schools, the availability of tests and the stress and anxiety of testing during a pandemic.
“The reason we're doing this for one more year is to make sure students don't feel the stress of having to travel to take a test and the anxiety of not being able to take a test,” said Satyajit Dattagupta, vice president of enrollment management and dean of admission at Tulane. “Whether or not an applicant should submit standardized test scores with their application is a decision that should be entirely left up to the applicant. If the applicant feels that their SAT or ACT score accurately reflects their academic aptitude, we welcome them to submit their scores. If an applicant feels that their score does not reflect their academic aptitude, there will be no penalty for this. Every applicant will have equal access of admission to Tulane, even if they don't take the test.”
“The reason we're doing this for one more year is to make sure students don't feel the stress of having to travel to take a test and the anxiety of not being able to take a test.”
- Satyajit Dattagupta
Tulane continues to take a holistic approach in reviewing applications, with several components of applications being evaluated to determine whether a student is an academic fit. These include, but are not limited to, grade point average, the rigor of the student’s high school coursework, essays, letters of recommendations, club involvement, employment and more.
“I think students are going through a lot of stress with many schools not being open. If Tulane can help remove some of the uncertainty, we'd like to do that and put prospective students at ease. I think that, coupled with the fact that we don't want students to take undue risks to take the test, are the top reasons we chose to remain test-optional for 2021-2022,” Dattagupta said.
The test-optional policy will only be in effect for students applying in the fall of 2021 for the entering fall 2022 Tulane class (the Class of 2026). For more information, please review these FAQs.
