Columbia released its revised testing policy for the 2020-2021 application season. They’re joining the ranks of hundreds of other schools, and, as of this writing, three other Ivies (Cornell, Dartmouth, and UPenn) in the removal of their testing requirement. Applicants are no longer required to submit their SAT or ACT score with their application. This is a big deal, sure, but we also want to contextualize the policy for you so that you can assess what it means.
You can best determine what their testing policy really means for the rest of your application by carefully reading their testing policy, which says the following:
“If students have completed testing and can submit SAT or ACT results, we encourage them to do so as we believe this information can be a valuable addition in our review process. However, testing is no longer a required component for the first-year 2020-2021 application cycle, and students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be disadvantaged. We will continue to evaluate all submitted information within the holistic and contextual review process that considers individual circumstances shaping each applicant's journey. The rigor of a student’s curriculum, their academic achievement, and their demonstrated intellectual curiosity will remain central to our review.”
Notice the first sentence -- this is intentional! Their first sentence emphasizes that if students have testing and CAN submit results, that they are encouraged to do so. This reads to us like Georgetown’s policy on SAT II exams (they are “strongly encouraged” but not technically required). Strong encouragement to us, always means essentially required 99% of the time.
So - what does this mean if:
You haven’t taken the ACT or SAT?
You should really try to take the exam if possible. Of course, Columbia makes clear in their language that those who don’t submit test scores because they were unable to take the exams (or choose not to…) won’t be disadvantaged. They do make pretty clear, though, that individuals who do submit their scores will be advantaged.
You took the ACT or SAT, got a bad score, and haven’t had a chance to re-take it?
We’d say, think about what your “sub-optimal” score looks like. If you took the ACT, got a 34-35 composite, and you’re a perfectionist and want to get a perfect score...we’re going to push back and say that the energy that you would put into that perfect score might be better used channeled towards writing the best essay you’ve ever written. On the other hand, if you took the ACT and got a 28, we’re going to push you to re-take it if in any way possible. Because a 28 is not going to help you at Columbia. It will hurt you. And we want you to have the strongest possible application, which in our opinion still very much includes testing if possible.
We’ve said it before and will say it again: focusing on the essay is the best use of your energy throughout this process. It is the most important part of your application because it remains the only part of your application that you a) have complete control over, and b) can provide context in the form of a story that highlights your personality.
So, while testing remains important and is worth, say, driving to another state to re-take it or take it for the first time in July or August if you’re unable to take the exam in your home state, it’s also important not to expend so much time and energy on testing such that it is at the expense of your essay.
Please feel free to reach out to us should you have any questions.