Test-Optional Advice from Hofstra University Admissions

I’d like to begin this email with a COVID-19 update. Due to the global pandemic maybe your student hasn't been able to test at all. Or maybe they’ve only been able to test once and aren’t ready to share their scores with colleges. In either situation, we encourage them to submit their application as a test optional student. As they make that choice on the application they’ll have the opportunity to tell the admission committee why they made that choice. If, later on in their senior year, they get test scores they’d like to share with us, they surely can! They can be emailed to applicationupdate@hofstra.edu or sent directly from the College Board or ACT. We will follow up with them when we receive the scores with any next step information.

Hofstra has been a test optional university for quite a while now. Why? Because a student's success in college has a stronger correlation to the three years of daily coursework shown on their transcript, than three hours of standardized testing shown in their SAT or ACT results. So, Hofstra University gave applicants the power to decide if they’d like to submit their test scores as part of their application.

As a counselor, you know some really smart students just aren't great test-takers. This decision will let students decide how to show us their strengths and abilities...not some standardized test. We want our admissions committee to have the ability to make a more personal decision on each individual and whether they're the right fit for Hofstra.

Now, sometimes submitting ACT or SAT scores is a good thing! We've just made it optional. Here are some examples that will hopefully help you advise students whether or not they should send us their scores:

"My test scores are above average, but I didn't do as well on the SAT/ACT as I personally would have liked." This student should submit their test scores.

"Standardized testing has always been a weakness of mine. My grades and curriculum are rigorous and competitive, but my SAT/ACT scores are below the school's mid-range." This student should not submit their test scores.

"I don't want to pay or can't afford to send my test scores." Scores can be sent using many free options. This student should submit their test scores.

"Sending my test scores is an obstacle and will take way too long." This student should submit their test scores.

"My best scores are way below Hofstra's published average and mid-range scores." (SAT scores is 1120 to 1320, with an average ACT equivalent of 25 to 32.) This student should not submit their test scores.

At Hofstra, we're proud of the steps we're taking to make the entire college experience more personal, starting with the application process. Reply to this email and let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Courtney Cyr
Senior Associate Dean of Admission