I shared that UVA has gone test optional for Fall 2021 applicants in the beginning of June. The feedback to my accompanying posts on Twitter and Instagram was positive then. We had a nice q&a session on Instagram, too.
Recently, there's been a resurgence of questions about what test optional means as exams have been cancelled. I see people on social media talking about traveling hours to take the SAT or ACT, perhaps because they're listening to inexpert voices on what test optional means. A lot of people are worried that admission officers will penalize students who don't submit testing. They have decided that we'll assume a student is withholding a poor score if one isn't submitted.
Full stop.
This is a year unlike any other. We have watched along with you as tests have been cancelled. If an application doesn't have testing, the assumption will be that you did not have access to testing. If you have a score and you think it will help your application, feel free to self-report it on your application. If you don't, move on to editing those essays and juggling all the other things that come with being a senior.
Optional means optional.
