While many universities have reinstated standardized testing as an admissions requirement, Notre Dame has decided to remain test-optional for the next admissions cycle.
The test-optional policy, originally implemented during the COVID pandemic when access to standardized testing was limited, has since become an intentional part of the University’s admissions process. In a statement to The Observer, vice president for undergraduate enrollment Micki Kidder wrote that, even before the pandemic, test scores were just one variable in a holistic admissions process, and that students have thrived both before and after the policy was implemented.
“Notre Dame is also committed to ensuring access for all high-potential young people, and the current policy aligns with our institutional mission by removing financial and logistical barriers for talented students, demonstrating a commitment to comprehensive assessment over reliance on a single score,” Kidder wrote.
Kidder’s statements contrast with those shared by institutions like Harvard College. On its admissions FAQ page, Harvard wrote that the school decided to reimplement mandatory standardized testing due to “a number of important new insights, including research led by Harvard faculty members that confirms the role of standardized testing to help predict college and post-college success for students, including those from less-resourced backgrounds.”
The statement references a 2024 Opportunity Insights study titled “Standardized Test Scores and Academic Performance at Ivy-Plus Colleges,” which found that students who tested higher on the SAT and ACT are more likely to have higher GPAs in college than students who tested lower on the tests. The University of Pennsylvania also reimplemented mandatory standardized testing but also accepts a waiver in place of test scores for those face a hardship preventing them from taking the SAT or ACT.
“The flexibility of a test-optional policy has escalated decision-making stress in an application process that is already stressful,” UPenn wrote on its admissions blog.
Recent data on how many test-optional students were admitted to the Notre Dame class of 2029 is limited, but according to a 2021 undergraduate admissions article, 30% of admitted, restrictive early action students from the class of 2026 were admitted without a test score.
“Applications have increased and the composition of our applicant pool has changed over the past six years, undoubtedly resulting from a number of factors and not only the test-optional policy,” Kidder wrote.
Kidder continued, writing that as with all aspects of its admissions policies, the University will continue to reevaluate its test-optional policy every year. She noted Notre Dame would favor continuing the policy, unless future data indicates it hinders the University’s ability to attract “the most academically-prepared, mission-oriented young people to the Notre Dame family.”
Freshman Sarah Hornick shared that she did not mind the test-optional policy, feeling that some students lacked access to the same preparatory resources as others in the college admissions process.
“I don’t think it’s the most perfect indicator, but what I like about it being optional, not completely revoked, is that it gives kids who have the ability to score well to score well and let that shine on their application as well,” she said. “As long as they see consistent ability across students to perform well in classes, I don’t see why they should go back to having the ACT and SAT [being] enforced. Maybe if they do a hybrid policy where you could submit AP or ACT/SAT scores.”
In 2024, Yale University announced it would be implementing a “test-flexible” policy, allowing applicants to report Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores. On its admissions website, Yale wrote that the school does not prefer one test over another or penalize applications without particular scores.
Freshman Elijah Delashmit also supports the test-optional policy, believing it helps reduce educational inequality. He said that the University should take whatever routes it sees fit in the future as long as it maintains an equal level of academic rigor. He however noted that a test is not always a perfect indicator of intellect.
“I think being test-optional provides a good opportunity for people who are really smart, but bad test-takers. I submitted my score, but I also understand [someone] not wanting to submit [their] score,” Delashmit said.
Since the class of 2029 admissions cycle, Notre Dame also accepts 60 to 90-second Glimpse video submissions from InitialView. The videos allow the University to learn about students’ personalities and perspectives outside of their writing, according to the admissions website. A Glimpse video costs $22, but the fee can be waived through the video platform if the applicant meets one of five requirements. The videos cannot be edited, and they can be sent to multiple colleges.
Neither Delashmit nor Hornick was aware the option to record a video existed. Hornick believes video is a good idea because she feels there are many aspects of an application that could be better explained without a word limit. She still said, however, it would be worthwhile for the University to implement an interview process.
“What matters too is your ability to hold a conversation and your ability to think on your feet. You cannot get this through an application. I’m actually genuinely surprised we don’t have an interview process. Especially with the Notre Dame alumni. I feel like a few of them would be willing,” Hornick said.
Delashmit said he would have submitted a video if he knew it was an option.
“I think that having it as an option is extra beneficial, just because sometimes when I write, it doesn’t really reflect my personality because I try to write formally,” he said.
