Test Optional Admission

Test-optional admission is a path offered by IU Columbus that allows you to choose whether or not to submit your SAT or ACT scores for consideration. The purpose of this option is to provide students who do not feel their academics are best represented by their standardized test scores a path to IU Columbus.

Additionally, given the cancellation of SAT and ACT dates due to the pandemic, this option provides students the opportunity for admission to IU Columbus without being penalized for circumstances outside of their control.

As a high school student, you have two great resources available to help you determine which path is the best when it comes to your circumstances:

• Talk to your counselor at your high school, they'll be able help guide your decision based on your academics and their invaluable experience helping students in your school who are asking the same questions.
• Your IU Columbus admissions counselor can also help you weigh the pros and cons of each path, and which might be best for you.

If you would like to change your selection as to whether or not your test scores should be considered as part of your admission review, please fill out the form below and we will provide you with a link to a form to make that change. Note that you cannot change your selection after a decision has been made regarding your admission status.

Bear in mind that because we take a holistic approach to admitting students, your test scores alone will not preclude you from admission, so there would be no reason to request that we not consider them if they have already been submitted.

Note that each IU campus has its own test-optional policies, so if you are submitting to multiple campuses, be sure to check that campus’s policy regarding changing your mind.

IU Columbus is committed to the success of its students, and while we do have specific criteria for admission to IU Columbus, for those who don’t meet that criteria we also consider a variety of factors when determining whether or not to admit them. These factors might include grade point average, standardized test scores (if submitted), type of high school diploma attained, performance in specific core classes, performance in dual-credit classes, recommendations from counselors or teachers, and even in-person interviews if deemed necessary. Through this process we hope to ensure that we admit students who have the best chance for success at IU Columbus.