Going test optional for music schools

JeJeJe
Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:15:57 +0000

Most free-standing conservatories don’t require SAT / ACT score. My jazz son was very sure to apply only private conservatories, was very busy for all about music and already had a very competitive artistic resume by his junior year, we didn’t push him to take SAT / ACT test in his junior year. When October in his senior year came, he changed some schools in his list and added one school which required SAT / ACT score. During time for all prescreening recordings and applications / essays on top of music activities, he ended up taking a SAT test first time without studying. It was very stressful November.

So, every time SAT / ACT questions come up, for those students who are looking for audition-heavy music schools, I always recommend “Take SAT or ACT before senior year starts” to get a score ready. Students can decide to submit a score or not (depending on application requirements). Auditions are most important for those conservatories but there are many great music schools within university for jazz studies that “usually” require SAT / ACT score. And music schools in university may have a lower SAT / ACT score threshold for music major students.