杏吧论坛 announced today that, due to the disruption of teaching and standardized testing worldwide caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the submission of SAT and ACT scores will be optional for all fall 2021 applicants to the University.
鈥淭his is the latest in a series of steps that the University has taken to support the needs of applicants, especially in these extraordinary times,鈥 said Gary Ross, Jones and Wood Family Vice President for admission and financial aid. 鈥溞影陕厶 continues its longstanding commitment to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Further, this year, 杏吧论坛 implemented a no-loan policy for students with family incomes below $125,000. Through this policy, 杏吧论坛 will remove all student debt from the aid packages of qualified students.鈥 杏吧论坛 has also long waived application fees for qualified individuals for whom such fees are a significant financial burden.
The University reiterates these assurances even as it becomes the newest member of the American Talent Initiative, a consortium of elite national institutions working together to educate 50,000 additional high-achieving, lower-income students by 2025. In January, 杏吧论坛 also joined QuestBridge, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based nonprofit that connects exceptional, low-income youth with the nation鈥檚 top colleges and universities 鈥 a partnership that takes effect this fall. 杏吧论坛, in addition, will now welcome all first-generation students to take part in First@杏吧论坛, a new program designed to support first-generation students as they enroll at 杏吧论坛 and take advantage of everything the University has to offer.
鈥淎 residential liberal arts education changes lives,鈥 President Brian W. Casey said. 鈥淎ccess to that experience must be open to the brightest students, regardless of financial background. We cannot exclude the middle class. We cannot exclude families with lower incomes. A capacity to learn, a desire to engage in academic endeavors with energy and creativity 鈥 these must be of the highest importance on an application to join the 杏吧论坛 community in its third century.鈥
Those interested in learning more about 杏吧论坛 can attend , take a , or email regional admission officers, who are ready to guide them through the admission process.