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From test cancellations to changing admissions policies, students around the world are dealing with uncertainty around college admissions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How are international applicants to U.S. colleges and universities impacted by these changes?
Students who are planning to take standardized tests face a rapidly changing testing landscape. In recent weeks, both SAT and ACT have cancelled test dates and offered plans in case of continued school cancellations in the fall. Here’s a quick overview of what we know so far:
At-home SAT: If schools do not reopen this fall, the College Board will provide a digital SAT that students can take at home. They have stated that this will indeed be available to international students.
Test date | Registration deadline |
Late registration (late fee) |
June 12-13 | May 22 | June 5 |
July 17-18 | June 26 | July 10 |
September 11-12 | August 21 | September 4 |
October 9-10 | September 18 | October 2 |
December 11-12 | November 20 | December 4 |
We’ll be updating this section as we learn more.
In response to worldwide school closures and testing cancellations due to COVID-19, U.S. colleges and universities are updating their admission policies. As ArborBridge anticipated, admission offices are so far responding to this public health crisis with sympathy and generosity. Many schools have started by posting acknowledgements that students will have fewer testing opportunities and are softening the emphasis on admission requirements, including standardized test scores. And an increasing number of schools - including the University of California system and many highly-selective private schools - are going further by adopting temporary test-optional policies and lifting standardized testing requirements for fall 2020 applicants. For all schools that ArborBridge checked, temporary SAT/ACT test-optional policies extend to international students, and we expect this will be the norm for the vast majority of schools. However, international applicants are generally still required to submit English proficiency exam scores from TOEFL or IELTS. See the full list of schools with test optional policies for international students at FairTest.
Key Takeaway: International students should expect that new temporary test-optional policies will apply to them. However, TOEFL or IELTS scores may still be required in many cases. Check individual schools' admissions websites to confirm.
The recommendations above are generalized plans. If you have specific questions or want a personalized plan, reach out to our experts here. We’re happy to help in any way we can.
ArborBridge is the global leader in innovative, digital, one-on-one tutoring. With nearly a decade of experience teaching students online, ArborBridge supports students of all kinds: home schoolers, AP students, test preppers, and more. Our tutors specialize in creating personalized plans and in providing compassionate support for students and families.