Can Someone Get into an Ivy League School Without Taking the SAT if They Have Excellent Grades?

The landscape of college admissions has been evolving over the years, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many US schools have dropped the SAT requirement, while others have reinstated it. This leaves many students and parents wondering if they can get into an Ivy League school without submitting SAT scores, especially if their grades are exceptional.

Current Trends in SAT Requirement

Dartmouth College recently reinstated the SAT requirement, having dropped it during the Pandemic. Other institutions are also considering their positions, with many checking their admissions web pages for specific requirements. It is essential to review these pages to understand the current status and requirements.

Impact of SAT Scores on Admissions

Almost every school, especially Ivy League and similar institutions, has a well-documented and detailed application process. If the application requires a SAT score, a submission without this score may be deemed incomplete and may not even be considered. Some schools may alert applicants that their application is incomplete as the deadline approaches, but others might not do so. A missing or low SAT score, especially when accompanied by excellent grades, raises questions about the authenticity of the grades, which can trigger further verification steps.

Examples of Admission Without SAT Scores

There have been instances where students were admitted to Ivy League schools with SAT scores that may seem lower than usual. For example, a student who tutored was admitted to Princeton with an SAT score of 1380. This student graduated second in a rigorous preparatory school where 20 of her classmates went to Ivy League schools. She completed seven AP courses, including Latin, Spanish, US History, English, Chemistry, and Calculus AB and BC (all 5’s except for Calculus). Additionally, she took German classes on Saturday mornings for ten years.

While these examples may seem promising, it is important to note that it is not a guaranteed pathway to admission. To find the correlation between GPA and SAT scores for a specific school, one can search for 'gpa sat scatterplot [school name]' online.

Conclusion

You should approach the admissions process with a thorough understanding of the requirements of your target school. While excellent grades can be a strong advantage, especially in the absence of a SAT score, they do not guarantee admission. Be prepared for the possibility of further verification and ensure that all aspects of your application are well-prepared and reflect your true capabilities.