The Temple University has joined a small group of colleges that do not consider SAT scores in granting admissions to prospective students. Most American schools continue to rely on SAT or ACT scores during admission processes.
By adopting a "No-SAT" policy, Temple has become the first public research university in the United States' Northeast to choose a path less trodden.
"The university is responding to the growing body of research evidence that shows high-school GPA, class rank and "noncognitive" factors (such as a student's grit, determination and self-confidence) are more reliable predictors of college success," the Philadelphia University said in a statement.
As an alternative to SAT scores, interested applicants will be asked to write short answers to "self-reflective questions designed to assess attributes such as leadership, self-awareness, goal-setting, determination and grit." The students will still be allowed to submit SAT scores while applying to the University.
"We cannot ignore the mounting evidence that standardized test scores inject socio-economic bias into the admissions and financial-aid equations," said Hai-Lung Dai, Temple's provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
President Neil Theobald, said that the policy will create a more diverse student body by welcoming talented students who don't fare well in tests, but display promising attributes. The school is expecting the enrolments to increase by 150 to 200 students, effective fall 2015.
"By giving students more choices, we open doors to more first-generation students and those from underserved communities whose enormous academic promise may be overlooked by conventional measures of achievement," Theobald said.
According to FairTest, more than 800 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. do not oblige applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. Last week, Bryn Mawr College also adopted a test-optional admission policy.
