Swarthmore College: Admissions Tests Optional (for Now)

Parrish Hall at Swarthmore College. Photo: Swarthmore College

In response to the disruption brought about by the COVID-19 public health crisis, Swarthmore College is suspending its requirement that applicants submit SAT or ACT test scores for the next two years. The policy will affect student applicants seeking to be admitted for any term from fall 2020 through spring 2022. 

“Our primary concern is the health and safety of these students and their families, friends, and neighbors,” said Jim Bock ‘90, vice president and dean of admissions. “Additionally, the availability of testing dates is a real question right now. Some students already have limited options to take the SAT and ACT, and this global crisis only exacerbates that.”

Bock noted that students can share their test results if they wish, but that doing so is optional. “Students who either did not take a test or choose not to share results with us will not be penalized,” he said.

In 2022, Swarthmore will assess the practice to make an informed decision about whether to continue it in subsequent years.