Harvard "Loosens" Subject Test Requirement

Sally_Rubenstone
Thu, 22 May 2014 16:21:31 +0000

Nope, don’t get excited when you see that heading. For most Harvard applicants, it’s business as usual, and those who can’t pull off at least a couple of decent Subject Test scores might still be in hot water at Harvard.

But, for SOME applicants, Harvard admission officials will be offering a pass on the SAT Subject Tests, claiming that the cost of extra testing can be prohibitive and that candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds may not receive adequate advising and might thus skip the Subject Tests inadvertently. See http://chronicle.com/blogs/headcount/harvard-u-will-loosen-subject-test-requirement/38399

I can see this new policy opening up miles of gray area, and my College Confidential “Ask the Dean” inbox is going to be full of queries from Harvard hopefuls who want to know whether or not they qualify for the Subject-Test-free option.