Victor E. Knight greets new students at last year's orientation. (SUNY Geneseo photo/Keith Walters '11)
SUNY Geneseo is now test-optional.
"We believe that test-optional policies promote both equity and excellence,” said Costas Solomou, vice president for enrollment management. “In support of inclusivity and civic responsibility, we see test-optional as a path toward ensuring that all students, no matter the quality of their high school, socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, or gender, experience a fair and equitable opportunity for admission to Geneseo."
The College will not require submission of SAT or ACT scores from students applying for undergraduate admission during the Spring 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022 semesters. As part of its new test-optional admissions, SUNY Geneseo will engage in a long-term study to measure the success and retention rates of the test-optional undergraduate students.
As a proponent of test-optional college admissions, SUNY Geneseo’s Department of Admissions has a long history of evaluating students’ potential for success using a holistic approach that includes grades, the program of study, exam scores (including Regents, AP, IB), academic achievements, co-curricular activities, and other measures. While students may choose to submit SAT and ACT scores to their admission portfolio, it is not mandatory to gain admission.
An additional benefit of the new test-optional policy is the support it provides to current high school students affected by recent cancellations of SAT/ACT exams.