Going test optional for music schools

compmom
Wed, 20 Jan 2021 00:27:55 +0000

This is my favorite list of test optional schools (in non-COVID times)
FairTest | The National Center for Fair and Open Testing

He could consider taking a test (if and when safe in terms of COVID) and then decide on whether to submit. Sometimes scores go up in later high school because of courses taken (and sometimes not!).

But the only reason really to do that would be for merit aid at test-optional schools. That said, one of mine applied test-optional and got merit anyway. I think it varies.

There is nothing wrong with applying test-optional. And there are many schools to love besides UMichigan. That Fairtest list is long!

If he is resistant, I don’t think it is worth pushing him. It can be his decision and there won’t be any dire consequences if he applies to schools that don’t require tests (except for merit, possibly).

You could check with schools to see if any of them don’t require scores for merit aid. In music, that is very possible. And if he doesn’t need merit aid, the whole issue is moot and he can safely skip the tests.