submitted by gorr@augsburg.edu
In the April 11 faculty meeting, the Augsburg faculty approved a test-optional admissions pilot recommended by the University Council Enrollment Committee and endorsed by the Faculty Senate. The four-year pilot program would make test score (ACT/SAT) submissions optional (except in specific circumstances) for traditional undergraduate first-year and transfer applications beginning in fall 2019.
More than 1,000 higher ed institutions across the U.S. have already adopted a test-optional approach. In Minnesota, the most notable example is Gustavus Adolphus College, which adopted a test-optional admission process more than a decade ago.
In addition to increasing Augsburg’s pool of completed applicants each year, a test-optional admissions policy aligns with Augsburg’s mission of intentional diversity. For a number of student populations, standardized test scores may not provide an accurate indication of academic ability — including, for example, people without access to test preparation courses, people with learning and physical differences, and English language learners.
The Admissions team will continue to counsel the majority of applicants to submit their ACT/SAT results. For all applicants, Augsburg will continue to consider high school GPA (grade point average) and practice a holistic admissions approach to assessing fit and preparedness. Applicants choosing not submit a test score as part of the admission assessment may submit it post-admission for proper placement into writing and math courses. Current alternative math and writing assessments will continue to be available.
For additional information about the test-optional process, see the first-year admissions website.