For non-native speakers, familiarity with academic spoken and written English matters here. We will continue to require English-language testing (TOEFL or IELTS) for some students. Learn more.
Testing Policies
The University of Rochester’s undergraduate admissions process is test optional. Applicants choosing not to submit standardized tests will not be at a disadvantage, nor will it negatively impact their application review or scholarship consideration. At the University of Rochester test optional truly does mean test optional – for all applications through all phases of the application process.
As an undergraduate applicant to Rochester, you have the choice on whether or not to include testing as part of your application. We encourage you to choose which standardized tests (including, but not limited to, SAT, ACT, AP, IB, A-level exams) to include for admission, or elect to omit test scores altogether if you believe that other elements of your application represent you better. Testing is not used as a factor for merit-based scholarships.
Holistic review
At the University of Rochester, admission and scholarship consideration for Arts, Sciences & Engineering are based on a holistic review process that includes many academic and non-academic indicators. As we seek to enroll a diverse and talented class each year, our review procedures incorporate a variety of factors, including many kinds of academic records, and we realize that testing is not always the best reflection of a student’s academic abilities and potential for success.
Test optional
Through our test-optional approach, applicants may decide for themselves which exam, if any, is an accurate representation of their ability and potential for future success. The University will continue to review and consider test scores for those applicants who decide to submit them. Applicants choosing to not submit standardized tests will not be at a disadvantage, nor will it negatively impact their application review or scholarship consideration. At the University of Rochester test option truly does mean test optional – for all applicants and through all phases of the application process.
At the time of application submission, applicants will be asked to indicate if they wish to apply as test-optional or test-flexible (indicating which form of testing they wish to include). These questions are located in the University of Rochester-specific question section of the Common Application and Coalition for College Application. Students who indicated they wish to include testing as part of their application at the time of submission have until the application deadline to decide to switch their testing approach. Please note that once scores become associated with an applicant’s record, they will not be removed from the record.
We’re here to help
Questions about our testing policies?
If you need guidance about our testing policies—or are wondering how to make your application to Rochester as strong as possible—give us a call at (585) 275-3221 or send an email to admit@admissions.rochester.edu.
Test flexible
For students who choose to apply using test scores, a wide variety of testing can fulfill Rochester’s test-flexible application option. Testing that will fulfill our test-flexible application option includes any of the following exams:
- SAT Reasoning; no essay required (use code 2928)
- ACT; no essay required (use code 2980)
- Two or more results from:
- SAT Subject exams
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- International Baccalaureate (IB)*
- AS- and A-Level Exams (in UK and Commonwealth countries) (three to four exams preferred)
- Results from many other national secondary exams (see the list below)
*For IB, submission of test results should come as a signed and dated letter of predicted IB scores from the IBO coordinator on campus. The more detail included, the more helpful the results are to us.
Reporting scores
Student Self-Reported
For admission review, the University of Rochester will accept scores from the SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Test, ACT, or completed AP examinations that you report on your application. We are not able to accept student self-reported test scores via email, phone, or postal mail.
If you earn admission based on records including self-reported scores, our office will require you to submit the official test scores shortly after submitting your enrollment deposit and prior to your arrival on campus. Any significant discrepancies between the actual scores and the self-reported values may jeopardize a student’s place in the incoming class.
projected scores
The University of Rochester will also accept some projected exam scores (e.g., IB, A-Levels) from school officials. Please note that the school official must affix a signature verifying that they are providing a reasonable and accurate estimate of scores that the applicant is expected to earn at some future date less than one calendar year away. The more detail included, the more helpful the projected results can be.
If you earn admission based on records including projected scores, our office will require you to submit the official test scores shortly after submitting your enrollment deposit and prior to your arrival on campus. Any significant discrepancies between the actual scores and the predicted values may jeopardize a student’s place in the incoming class.
SAT/ACT Testing Deadlines
We encourage applicants to submit test scores in advance of the application deadline. However, in some cases applicants may elect to send scores from additional exams. For applicants applying early decision we will accept October ACT scores and November SAT scores to be included in your application review. For applicants applying regular decision we will accept December ACT and SAT scores to be included in your application.
| Application Plan | Latest Testing (ACT) | Latest Testing (SAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | October | November |
| Early Decision II | October | November |
| Regular Decision | December | December |
Additional Information on Testing
We superscore testing, meaning we use your highest SAT or ACT subscores in our final decision, even if they are from different test dates. However, we do not combine SAT and ACT for a hybrid superscore.
Enrolling students who have chosen to include testing as part of their application for admission will need to submit official test scores that mirror their self-reported and/or projected (if used for review); scores must be submitted either directly from the testing agency (preferred), included on an official secondary school transcript sent directly from the secondary school, or submitted by a school counselor (or designated official) when that counselor/official has been indicated as the student’s counselor on the application.