You don’t have to take the SAT or the ACT to get into a four-year college!
For juniors about to take the March SAT, it’s comforting to know that there are almost 850 four-year colleges known as the “Fair Test Schools” which do not require standardized tests for acceptance.
Instead of looking at the SAT or ACT, these colleges will weigh your GPA and rigor of your classes more heavily. They might also ask to see some of your academic writing.
Some of the more well-known college on the Fair Test list include the following:
American University
Bard
Bates
Bowdoin
Colorado College
Dickinson
Drew
Franklin & Marshall
Hamilton
Hobart & William Smith
Julliard
Juniata
Knox
Lewis & Clark
Middlebury
NYU
Pitzer
Sarah Lawrence
Texas A & M
Union
Wake Forest
WPI
For a complete list of all the four year schools, go to the Fair Test Schools website: Fairtest.org
So if you’re not happy with your SAT scores in March and you just don’t want to take the SAT again consider some of the “Fair Test” schools.
Juliet Giglio
Educational Consultant in Syracuse, NY
SAT Isn’t Always Needed for College

- ACT, admissions, Bates, Bowdoin, Dickinson, junior, Middlebury, SAT, Syracuse, Wake Forest
Jared Hobson
Jared serves as President of Great College Advice, where he sets strategic direction for the firm as well as being involved in sales & marketing and college consulting. Jared has an MBA from Cornell University, where he served on its Student Admissions Committee. His consulting philosophy emphasizes personalized attention to help identify the right college fit for each student.
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