University of Kentucky to waive ACT, SAT admission requirements for the next four years
Applicants to the University of Kentucky will be able to opt out of submitting ACT or SAT scores for the next four academic years. The decision is an extension of the approval granted by the university for the 2021-2022 academic year, which was made due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
In March, administrators at the University of Kentucky approved the move to extend the admissions policy of not requiring applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores past the upcoming academic year. When initially approved, the exception was made in light of the restrictions in place which has delayed or prevented many students from taking either of the college entrance exams. The decision to extend the policy reflects UK's acknowledgement that prospective students are continuing to have issues with access to testing, along with reduced access to the typical support received through high school in the college application process. The university has said it will monitor and analyze the performance of students admitted under the temporary policy.
In a release from the university, administrators explain how the decision will allow prospective students and UK admissions counselors time to plan. The Office of Undergraduate Admission states that it will take a holistic approach in reviewing applications from both freshman and transfer students, considering the rigor of previous coursework, grades, a written essay, and activities outside the classroom. Students who do submit test scores will have their scores taken into consideration in their overall assessment, and the university has a plan in place to provide placement testing when needed for incoming students. UK also commits in the release to ensuring scholarship opportunities are still available for students who apply without the test scores.
Christine Harper, UK associate vice president for enrollment management, conveyed that the university wants to ease some of the burden placed on prospective students due to ongoing issues in respect to the pandemic. Harper said, "By approving now, we are able to announce our intentions early to prospective students. We want to support an accessible option for students dealing with a substantial number of external forces resulting from the pandemic - forces such as access to testing, college going support and family financial strain."