MTU Waives ACT, SAT for Some Applicants

No test score? No problem. Michigan Technological University has altered its admissions process to allow potential students to apply — and possibly receive a decision on their application — without submitting ACT or SAT scores.

As a result of test postponements and cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rising seniors in Michigan will not receive their SAT exam scores until October or November. Because most colleges and universities require SAT or ACT test results as part of the application for admission, Michigan students wait longer than others to apply. Even worse, they sometimes decide not to apply to college at all, solely due to what they see as a low test score.

Under MTU’s new system, pre-college students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale have the option of submitting an application without an ACT or SAT test score.

“Michigan Tech is removing a barrier to the admissions process in an effort to help students apply, and often receive a decision on their application, without having to wait on test results,” said Allison Carter, director of admissions at Michigan Tech. “This new process helps us to further ensure that we’re equally considering all applicants. In addition, the policy will provide greater access to students who are academically strong, but test below their potential — basically, underrepresented students, students with test anxiety and some female applicants — without specifically calling out these groups.”

According to Carter, applicants can submit an application as soon as they are able to submit an official high school transcript. Once an applicant receives a college admissions exam score, they can submit it to bolster their application. A lower score won’t penalize a student whose application would otherwise secure them admission.

Students who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships are required to submit test scores. Applicants will be reviewed individually based on high school academic performance, including courses taken, grades received, and trends in grades relative to their intended major. Test scores will be taken into consideration for those required to submit them or who wish to supplement their application.

“We’re excited about this change, especially when you consider the access it provides to students who do well academically but may test below their potential due to a variety of factors,” states Carter. “The response from families about this change for 2021 has been very positive. We’ve been able to keep student excitement about Michigan Tech high and the stress associated with the college application process low.”