SAT optional.

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY (Va.), an institution that is part of the state system, has become the Latest higher education institution to change its policy on SAT and ACT tests. Beginning with fall 2006, high school seniors with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher, and who rank in the top 20 percent of their class, will not have to submit SAT scores to be considered for admission. This summer, Providence College (R.I.) announced that it was dropping the test scores altogether as part of its application process. Providence President Rev. Brian Shanley described the institution's policy change as an effort to close the "student accessibility gap." The college wants to draw more urban students and underserved applicants, he says.

George Mason's dean of admissions, Andrew Flagel, says the university, which drew more than 10,000 applicants last year, has been reviewing admissions decisions for the past three years. "Data indicates that for students with strong grades and records, the SAT and ACT scores have not been predictive of their success." George Mason will be putting more emphasis on written essays, high school performance, and other factors when making admissions decisions, he says.

Caren Scoopanos, a public affairs spokesperson for The College Board, the nonprofit that owns the SAT test, offers that the recent policy changes do not signal an admissions trend. Not surprisingly, she defends the use of the SAT. "We feel that dropping the SAT or ACT makes the admissions process more subjective."--J.M.A.