I am pleased to announce that, beginning with the admission process for students entering in Fall 2021, Haverford is adopting a test-optional admission policy for a three-year period.

Given the significant disruptions students are experiencing, we believe this change to our standardized testing policy will reduce stress and provide students with much greater flexibility as they navigate a college admission process that is unfolding much differently than expected. We also see this policy change as aligning closely with our mission and core values. We have always taken a holistic approach to evaluating students for admission, including making our admission decisions by consensus, and we embrace an approach that is mindful of how the admission process impacts students. We also believe that further limiting the role that standardized testing plays in our process strengthens Haverford’s leadership in and commitment to access, diversity, and inclusion.

Moving forward, first-year and transfer candidates for admission may choose whether or not to submit the results of the SAT and/or the ACT as a part of their admission application. While standardized testing has traditionally played only a small role in our evaluations, we are eager to better understand the impact a test-optional policy will have on how students experience our application process and on our ability to build a diverse, talented, and dynamic community of scholars at Haverford. And at the end of the three-year period, we will evaluate the role standardized testing should play in our admission process going forward.

As always, we feel so excited to work with prospective students as they get to know Haverford and start the journey of imagining themselves as a member of our community. We hope that this policy change offers some relief and clarity, and supports you to have the fulfilling, engaging college admission process you so richly deserve.