The coronavirus pandemic has impacted higher education in a wide variety of ways on the local and national level. One example is a significant decrease in the number of students taking the SAT. Nationally, it has been reported that one million fewer students took the SAT this year than last. Millersville University has decided to extend the policy for an optional SAT or ACT test for another year, through 2021.
“Options to take the SAT have been limited for students during this time. Millersville is committed to providing students access to an affordable, high-quality education. Extending this policy to make the tests optional aims to make higher education attainable to more students during this time,” says Brian Hazlett, vice president for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management. “This initiative aligns well with the University’s EPPIIC value of Public Mission.”
In the absence of SAT or ACT scores, greater emphasis will be placed on the GPA and class rank, when made available, of incoming students.
Millersville piloted the initiative of making the SAT optional back in 2014. The University was the first Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) institution to do so. In the current climate of uncertainty created by COVID-19, many PASSHE schools are taking similar measures.
“Specific courses taken in high school, extracurricular activities and an applicant’s essay will be important measures in reviewing applications,” says Katy Charles, director of admissions. “We are confident in the caliber of our incoming class.”
For more information contact Millersville University admissions at 1-800-MU-ADMIT, 717-872-3371 or admissions@millersville.edu.