Archive: Around Town

Aurora, New York—Wells College's faculty has voted to make the College test-optional in its admissions requirements. As a result, prospective students may choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores with their applications. The decision is in keeping with Wells' goals of improving the student experience and making the process more encouraging. The change will take effect beginning with the class arriving in the fall of 2017 (Class of 2021).

This change to the admissions process is being enacted by numerous colleges and universities across the country, opening the door for students who have traditionally been under-represented in the higher education landscape despite their performance and achievements in other areas. Because test preparation services are more readily available to students in higher-income areas, these scores may not accurately or equally reflect the potential of students in all communities.

"Given Wells' commitment to diversity and inclusion, this change is a necessary step to assuring that all students have access to a Wells education," said Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Susan Raith Sloan. "We want to make sure that all students who want to come to Wells are encouraged to apply, and don't want standardized test scores to be a barrier to acceptance."

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