FRAMINGHAM – Framingham State University has joined a Department of Higher Education Pilot Program that allows certain students to opt out of sharing their SAT or ACT scores as part of the admissions process.

The DHE Test Optional Pilot Program launched in 2016 at a number of Massachusetts Public Colleges. Framingham State is joining for Fall 2018 following a study by the University’s Enrollment Data Team led by Dr. Vincent Ferraro that demonstrated that weighted high school GPA is a statistically better predictor of success than SAT scores. Furthermore, underrepresented students tend to perform worse than their peers on these tests.

“This pilot program allows us to remove a barrier to admission for underrepresented students that has shown little predictive power in determining future academic success,” says Dr. Lorretta Holloway, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Development at FSU. “This was an important consideration, given the University’s longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as the changing demographics of high school graduates.”

Students who take the SAT or ACT, but opt not to share them during the admissions process, will still be asked to provide their scores following admission to the University. This will allow the University to continue analyzing how standardized tests, in combination with weighted high school GPA and course selection, influence retention after the first-year. This analysis will inform future admission selection criteria specific to Framingham State.

Certain students will still be required to submit their SAT scores as part of the Admissions Process, including students interested in pursuing a major in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; students who were home-schooled; students who submit transcripts with narratives rather than grades; students who are seeking consideration for merit scholarships; and students seeking admission into the Honors Program.

For more information, visit www.framingham.edu/admissions