Caroline Gentry
Reporter
The ACT is an admissions test that is taught and encouraged for students to take at Dyersburg High School. Everyone, from seniors to freshmen, is encouraged to take the test at DHS to increase their chances of getting accepted into college.
On the ACT, the closer score to a perfect 36, the more prepared the student is for college, and the higher the chances of college acceptance. This was true for most schools until the coronavirus first started appearing in the United States in 2020. Many colleges have opted to go test-optional for the 2020-2021 college admissions process.
“The college is not solely focusing on test scores. Yes, colleges need test scores for scholarship purposes, but as far as admissions go, if a school is test-optional it means that they will consider ACT scores if you have them. But, if you do not have them it is not the end of the world. They will look at students from a more holistic perspective,” said seniors’ counselor Anna Claire Lane said.
The change in the admissions process has all to do with the results of COVID-19. With a new case of the virus occurring all the time, there is little to no way to make sure that everyone gets to take the ACT.
“Because of COVID-19, some students can not guarantee that they will be in the building to take the ACT, or that they will go on a Saturday and take it. So if they do not have the opportunity to take it during the school day, either because they themselves are sick or they are quarantine or their school is just not in session, now it is not held over their heads to have an ACT score for admissions purposes,” Lane said.
Colleges going test-optional for admissions purposes could be a good thing for seniors looking to apply. If students either have not received the opportunity to take the test or do not feel comfortable with their scores, their dream college possibly using a test-optional admission could be the very thing they need.
“I think it’s a good thing for people who do not have as high of an ACT score and who need more financial stability to go to college. But for me, I’m going to continue to send my ACT scores so I can get those academic scholarships,” senior Maclyn Boals said.
This view for admissions can be reassuring to many seniors and be a pull factor to apply to their desired colleges even if their test scores are not the best.
“Admissions offices are not just looking at a number you scored on a test,” Lane said. “They’re going to look at your activities, your recommendation letters, and your essays.”
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