FAIRFAX, Va.

George Mason University announced this week that it will permit high school seniors with strong academic records to apply for admission without standardized test scores — a policy that could mean improved access to college for under-represented minorities.  

Beginning this fall, seniors with cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 or higher and who rank in the top 20 percent of their class will have the option of being considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores.

“Analysis of Mason’s admissions and enrollment data demonstrate that the SAT is at best a weak predictor of incoming college students’ performance for freshmen who have strong academic performance in high school,” says Andrew Flagel, dean of admissions. He points out that students who meet the criteria to be considered without standardized test scores are not guaranteed admission.

These students will instead be evaluated on their overall academic records, which must include a more demanding curriculum with advanced-level courses, additional essays and letters of recommendation.

The impact of the new admissions policy means increased diversity, some experts say.

“The consistent experience of colleges that have dropped SAT score requirements is that diversity of all kinds increases,” says Bob Schaeffer, the public education director of FairTest: National Center for Fair & Open Testing. “This includes more applications from African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, new Asian immigrants, students from low-income families from all ethnic backgrounds and students who attended rural schools.”

“This decision [to make SAT scores optional] goes a step further … understanding that diversity has so many definitions — and one definition of a diverse campus may mean an equal balance between good test-takers and those who aren’t,” says Dave Van de Walle, president & CEO of U Sphere, Inc.

Brad MacGowan, a college and career counselor at Newton North High School in Newton, Mass., applauded GMU’s decision.