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I’m Applying to UC’s - Do I Still Need to Take the SAT? - Let’s examine why it’s still a good idea to apply to take the SAT and/or the ACT.
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I’m Applying to UC’s – Do I Still Need to Take the SAT?

I’m Applying to UC’s – Do I Still Need to Take the SAT?

Do I Still Need to Take the SAT? And do I have to take the SAT at UC for 2022? 

In the past, we examined the language of the settlement that bans UC’s from using the SAT and ACT in admissions through Spring 2025. But the settlement applies only to UC’s. If you’re wise, you should already know to apply to colleges beyond the UC system. Let’s examine why it’s still a good idea to apply to take the SAT and/or the ACT.

CSU’s Will Evaluate SAT’s Starting Fall 2022

The CSU system has been transparent that its suspension of a test requirement is temporary. According to its policy, it will not use SAT or ACT in its evaluation of candidates applying during the 2021-2022 academic year. This means they are on track to using those tests for applicants applying in Fall 2022 (to start as Freshmen in Fall 2023). Hence, if you’re finishing your 10th grade in 2021, or belong to a graduating class of 2023 or later, the CSU system will evaluate you based on your SAT or ACT score.

Remember that the CSU’s operate differently from the UC’s in that the CSU’s do not use the holistic review process. In other words, it only uses your GPA and SAT/ACT to make admissions decisions (with a few exceptions for specific programs). Hence, it’s critical for it to return to have another numerical metric aside from one’s GPA.

We advise all California residents to apply for the CSU system, so if you live in California, this means we also advise preparing for and taking the SAT and/or ACT.

So Do I Still Need to Take the SAT? Many Colleges Are Still Test Optional

Just because you’re applying to the UC’s doesn’t mean you’re not applying anywhere else. Most students nowadays consider other great schools like UIUC, Carnegie Mellon, or Harvard — all of which remain test optional. Hence, you should take the opportunity to demonstrate as much aptitude as possible, and reporting a strong SAT or ACT score can help you do just that.

Here’s a list of colleges that remain test optional. The word “optional” has become somewhat synonymous with “recommended,” because it’s safe to assume that if a college is open to taking it, they actually want it. After all, reviewing a student’s course load and GPA can be limiting in terms of understanding a student’s overall aptitude. Especially, if that student has blemishes in critical courses in Math and English: both of which can be addressed through an SAT or ACT.

So you ask, “Do I Still Need to Take the SAT?” Of course, the primary assumption is that you score well enough on an SAT or ACT to report it in the first place. If your test score looks worse than your GPA, then you’re probably better off omitting that from your college applications.

The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

The official administration of the NMSQT, also known as the official PSAT, occurs in the 11th grade. To earn the National Merit Scholarship, you pretty much have to score perfect on this test. While this might sound like a tall task, it’s certainly achievable with early preparation. Through strong knowledge foundations in reading and math, and a firm understanding of what the test is made of.

Whatever happens with test policies will likely never touch the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Achievement of a semifinalist or finalist position is qualified as an award, not a test score. Furthermore, that award is worth a good chunk of money for college. Hence, the opportunity to earn an award and money towards college makes preparing for the SAT, or PSAT, a good investment of time if you believe you can achieve the National Merit Scholarship.

Do I Still Need to Take the SAT? Recap & Conclusion

So the answer to the question, Do I Still Need to Take the SAT? Consider taking the SAT or ACT based on your situation. CSU’s are on track to considering those tests for applicants applying in Fall 2022. (To start as Freshmen in Fall 2023.) Outside of the UC’s, most prestigious colleges are keeping their policies aligned with test scores being optional. Though, the word “optional” has become somewhat synonymous with “recommended”. Last but not least, prepare for the SAT or PSAT if you believe you can achieve the National Merit Scholarship. Therefore winning some money towards your college funds. 

We hope that this provides some valuable insight on whether you still need to take the SAT/ACT while making your college application profile even stronger. We specialize in youth mentorship and college counseling. From 8th grade to 12th, we have you covered for any stage in your high school career. Schedule a free consultation with us here.

We are always posting more helpful tips and tricks to help reduce the stress of college application season. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

Ariana Lee

Senior Admissions Advisor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 12

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love hearing their stories. There's so much to discover about a person. It's very rewarding when my students get comfortable and know that I'm there for them.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Swim, read, write, sing, enjoy nature, and play with my two crazy boys.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Do what you love, and everything else will fall into place.

Julian Hoffman

Special Programs Manager

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 5

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: Hearing each student's unique stories, guiding them in discovering their passions, and helping find their voice!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I am a figure skater, world traveler, dessert aficionado, and devotee of the Pioneer Woman, the Barefoot Contessa, and Maneet Chauhan!

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Work hard now -- procrastinate later!

Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love helping students find depth and meaning in their own stories—but I also just love it when they make me laugh!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

Bernie Nguyen

Admissions Advisor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 5 years high school mentoring experience. I was heavily involved in it all throughout college and after graduating.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love hearing about their passions and what they genuinely love to do. It also makes me extremely happy to.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I recently picked up the electric guitar! I also have multiple aquariums, and founded a company that built body armor.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't go down a path just because you think that's "what you're supposed to do." Life is more diverse and unexpected than any of us could ever know.

Joanna Yang Yowler

Senior Essay Editor & Program Specialist

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 15

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love hearing students' stories and seeing their faces light up when they talk about their passions and dreams.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Cook, write, draw, save Azeroth .

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Pursue dreams that matter to you and don't be afraid of forging your own path to where you want to go.

Graham Traylor

Senior Applications Advisor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 7 years

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: One of my favorite experiences working with students is opening student's eyes to possibilities they didn't know would be an option for them.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time I like to stay active playing sports / running, but most of the time I am hanging out with my wife and daughter (usually with college sports on in the background).

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: It's possible there could be several colleges that are a good fit for you. Don't lock in on just one preferred option, and work toward finding places you can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

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Tylar Pendgraft

Director of Programs

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 12

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love how open students are to learning and trying new things. As mentors, we get to see so much growth simply because our students are so open to new experiences and are looking forward to applying their learning and other skills.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time I like to read and write. I also spend a lot of time just watching--my dogs, birds, trees. I also enjoy baking and cooking (even though I'm terrible at baking).

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: It's never too early or late to start practicing self-care. Build moments of joy and celebration into your week. Give yourself a treat for working hard. It's important to have things to look forward to. If you can get into the habit now, you'll have a much more balanced college experience.

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Anika Sharma

Essay Editor

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 2

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: As a major advisor for students interested in the humanities, I’ve found it immensely rewarding to offer an outlet for students to explore ideas that they often don’t get to delve into at school. Watching a student light up when they realize that there is in fact a community around their specific interests is easily the best part of the job.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In my free time, I love to be outdoors - I've been hiking around the Bay Area and recently started biking again. I also volunteer at community gardens and trail restoration projects in San Francisco. When I'm not outside, you can find me reading visionary fiction, practicing yoga and qigong, or cooking.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: My advice for high school students is to focus on the present! Use this time to learn more about yourself and the world around you. Solid values and a sense of self will allow you to make challenging decisions for the future and create the life you want.

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Tushar Singla

Chief Technology Officer

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 4

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: Watching them accomplish great things.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Watch Formula 1, play ice hockey, and watch TV.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Spend time exploring different things -- you have a long time to become an expert.

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Dan Zhou

Chief Executive Officer

Q: How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: 16

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: Inspiring a student towards self discovery, and wanting to learn about everything there is in the world. Reaching this moment can take time, but it's what makes it worth it every time.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: Outdoors hiking, photography, gardening, and reading.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Do the thing that moves you, or be moved by forces not your own. The choice is yours.

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