QU Announces Test – Optional Admission Policy

Quincy University has announced that, due to the cancellation of SAT and ACT test administrations around the world, QU will immediately become “test-optional” for students who are unable to take a standardized test due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The university is committed to helping prospective students and their families during this time of global uncertainty.

For admission to the university in fall 2020, the new QU test-optional admissions policy only affects students who cannot take a standardized test.  Beginning with admissions for fall 2021, students will not be required to submit test scores, though they will have the option to do so.

“We recognize that with high school closures students may have difficulty having a transcript sent to our office, or cannot complete an SAT or ACT,” said Tom Oliver, M.L.A., vice president of enrollment management. “The Admissions Office staff has options for students who cannot meet the typical criteria. We want students to know they will not have a disadvantaged in the admission process or for scholarship consideration if they do not have an SAT or ACT score. We hope this will eliminate some of the stress they are feeling about the college search process.”

In recent years, many leading universities of all sizes have stopped requiring the submission of SAT and ACT scores by students applying for admission.  Some criticisms of the tests include their expense, the unproductive time spent preparing for them, and allegations that the tests are unfair to students who attend disadvantaged high schools or whose parents did not earn university degrees. Mounting evidence has shown that universities can effectively evaluate students for admission without requiring the use of the SAT or ACT.

“At Quincy University, we already had been studying a permanent change to test-optional admissions,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., QU president. “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic made clear that we had to make this decision immediately.  No student should have to wait indefinitely for an admissions decision because of the current admissions crisis.  Today, we are doing right by our applicants and our future students and their families.”

Besides, QU, there already are several test-optional colleges and universities in Illinois, including the University of Chicago, Knox College, Augustana College, Lake Forest College, DePaul University, and Illinois College. Northern Illinois University also announced recently it would entirely eliminate the use of the SAT and ACT, beginning in 2021.

For more information about the application process, please contact Brittany Weise, M.A., director of admissions, at 217-228-5432, ext. 3412 or  ellebr@quincy.edu.  Additional information about test-optional admission will be provided to those applying to Quincy University that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is celebrating 160 years as a Catholic, co-educational, liberal arts, residential university. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with each student to design a customized success plan to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. Quincy University’s intercollegiate sports are members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference for men and women. For more information, please contact the Quincy University Office of Community Relations by calling (217) 228-5275. Quincy University. Success by Design.