Preparing for and applying to colleges is stressful. As your senior year approaches, there are applications to complete, colleges to tour, and SAT and/or ACT exams to take. And if you are a music student, the pressure is even higher. You have long known that participation in music requires you to have more discipline, organization, and sacrifice than your fellow students who engage in basic general studies. When other students are heading home or to McDonald’s, you are preparing for after-school rehearsals, private lessons, contests, and even fundraisers to pay for these activities and opportunities.

Now, you have decided to major in music or are planning to perform in collegiate ensembles in anticipation of receiving music scholarships to help with your collegiate expenses. This decision will make the path to your collegiate dreams look very different because as you’re applying to the colleges you are hoping to attend, preparing for the ACT and/or SAT, you will also be preparing for your audition and music department entrance exam.

If you could just eliminate one of these steps, your life would be so much easier! And you could give greater concentration to the steps remaining. If somehow you could eliminate preparation for the ACT or SAT, preparing for your audition and music department entrance exam would be far less demanding.

Some colleges and universities adopted a test-optional policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. These colleges include the entire University of California system, Wake Forest University, Williams College, University of Chicago, and the University of Texas systems just to name a few. As the COVID-19 pandemic draws to a close, it appears the test-optional admissions will become permanent at some colleges and temporary at others.

If you are not great at taking tests and/or want to spend more time in audition preparation, a test-optional college may just be what you need. Here are four things to consider before you take this step.

There Are Different Types of Test-Optional Institutions

A test-optional college allows students to decide whether they want to submit test scores with their applications. Most test-optional schools will consider SAT and ACT scores if they are submitted but will focus on other factors they believe are stronger predictors of a student’s potential to succeed in college. These schools look at student essays, recommendations, grades, and coursework just as (or more) closely than test scores. And if you are planning on majoring in music, additional major consideration is given to your audition and music department entrance exam outcomes.

A test-flexible college lets students submit other tests in place of the SAT or ACT, such as an International Baccalaureate exam or Advanced Placement test.

A test-blind college will not consider test scores, even if you submit them.

Test-Optional Policies Differ from College to College

The following are a few examples of test-optional policy restrictions:

• Some colleges require test scores for out-of-state students
• Some colleges only allow test-optional students if class rank is high enough
• Some colleges may ask the student to submit test scores to help determine class rank
• Some colleges may ask for twice the number of references

Be sure to check with the college to confirm how it will use test scores in the admission process.

Other Parts of the Application Are Given Greater Weight

Colleges want as much information about you as possible so they can make the best decision about your ability to fit in and succeed at their institution. Without test scores, other parts of your application will very likely be under the microscope. Elements considered are, to name a few, class ranking starting in the 6^th grade, essays, extracurricular activities; these elements must be very, very strong for the college to want to admit you.

Test Scores May be Required for Merit Institutional Scholarships

Many test-optional colleges look at test scores when awarding merit scholarships, so not submitting them may put you at a disadvantage. Again, be sure to read about all scholarship requirements before entering this process and pay special attention to the requirements as they relate to SAT and/or ACT scores. This may even be a requirement for a music or fine arts-related scholarship.

Test Scores May be Required for Non-Institutional Scholarships

Students majoring in music have a myriad of opportunities to apply, audition, and accept scholarship funds from private foundations, trusts, and civic and religious organizations, with amounts that can far exceed the merit scholarships that may be awarded by the institutions. When making the decision to pursue acceptance into a college or university that is test-optional, make sure you’ve not locked yourself out of opportunities with non-institutional scholarships. Careful research is highly suggested before the decision is made to not take the SAT or ACT.

Admittedly, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many alternatives to the traditional manner and systems to which we have become accustomed. College recruiting and the application process is one of those situations that was forced to be reimagined. One of the major changes is the emergence of test-optional admission. Time will only tell post-pandemic if this change will stick, and if it does, it may be a good option for you. If you decide to move toward a test-optional institution, make sure you are fully aware of all the future ramifications of the decision. It may very well prove to be a positive decision as you prepare for your audition and music department entrance exam.

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