Watch Recently, Stanford University has updated a high-profile enrollment policy - from the autumn of 2025, students applying for undergraduate courses at Stanford University will need to submit SAT or ACT scores. It is noteworthy that the school emphasizes that standardized examination is only one of the reference factors of the school. In addition, the school integrates other factors to comprehensively assess students' academic achievements and potential.
This article is reprinted from the public account: Emay Education Easymay (ID: Easymayus)
Article | Edited by Yi Meijun | Yuan Zixi
On June 7, Stanford University released a high-profile enrollment policy update on its official website—— From autumn 2025 , students applying for undergraduate courses in the university will SAT or ACT scores are required 。
This move marks the continuation of Harvard, Yale, MIT After the famous universities in the United States, another top university resumed the requirement of standardized test scores as application conditions.
New trends of Stanford University:
SAT/ACT returns to enrollment stage
Since 2020, Stanford University, like many American universities, has suspended the submission requirements of standardized test scores in response to the global epidemic and other special circumstances, giving applicants more flexibility and choice. However, with the gradual control of the epidemic and the resumption of standardization requirements by top universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University has also made corresponding adjustments.
As a world famous higher education institution, Stanford University ranks sixth in the latest QS world ranking, and second only to MIT and Harvard University in the ranking of American universities.
With its outstanding academic level and innovative educational philosophy, the school has attracted the attention of countless outstanding students around the world, especially among Chinese overseas students. The adjustment of the enrollment policy will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact on applicants worldwide.
According to the official statement of Stanford University, This change will be targeted at students who apply for admission in the fall of 2025, i.e. applicants who graduate in 2030. Considering that some applicants may not be able to fully prepare for relevant examinations due to time constraints, the school announced this news one year in advance so that applicants can have enough time to plan and prepare.
For students who apply for admission in the autumn of 2024, Stanford University will still maintain the Test Optional policy to provide a certain buffer period for applicants 。
In the statement, Stanford University stressed that, Examination results are only one aspect of assessing applicants, and academic potential is still the primary criterion for admission 。 SAT/ACT standardized test scores are regarded as an important indicator to predict students' academic performance at Stanford University. This assessment has been confirmed by the Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Committee.
In its report, the Commission noted that, The resumption of examination requirements will help the school to assess each applicant's academic potential and adaptability more comprehensively, So as to select the most suitable students for Stanford education environment. The university said that the updated examination requirements will enable Stanford University to consider the information of each applicant more comprehensively, so as to make more accurate admission decisions.
Previously, there was a heated debate on the standardized examination requirements within Stanford University. Some people believe that the resumption of standardized examination can provide an objective measurement standard, help to select students with certain academic ability, and promote the fairness of the enrollment process.
In Stanford Review, an internal publication of Stanford University, a column even Call for the standardized examination to be the mandatory factor of application again To optimize elite management and achieve more fair selection.
However, some people have different opinions on this.
Some students suggested that, The design of standardized examination should be reformed to reflect students' knowledge level and ability more accurately. Uchena Aba, a student at Stanford University, said that only after improving the current design of the exam should applicants be re required to submit standardized exam scores.
Rich Shavelson, an educational psychologist, said in an interview: "Stanford University does not require a minimum test score for admission, nor does any score guarantee admission." He stressed that standardized test scores are only one aspect of evaluating applicants' academic ability, not the only standard. Stanford University has always paid attention to the overall quality and diversity of applicants in the enrollment process, rather than relying only on a single performance indicator.
This news is undoubtedly a great challenge for international students who plan to apply for Stanford University. Many international students said that they felt very anxious after learning the news, worried that their standardized scores could not meet the requirements of the school. However, when Stanford University announced the resumption of standardization requirements, it also gave a positive response.
Restore standardized results:
How does Stanford comprehensively evaluate applicants?
This time, the official announced the resumption of standardized score requirements, and Stanford University also made it clear that standardized test scores are only one of the many criteria for evaluating applicants. The school will continue to consider applicants Background, educational experience, personal statement, recommendation letter In many aspects, each part of each application is considered as a whole for comprehensive evaluation.
Stanford University provides two rounds of application time:
The deadline for the first round of application for restrictive early action is November 1;
The deadline for the second round of regular RD applications is January 5, 2025.
Applicants need to submit complete application materials, including personal statements, letters of recommendation, transcripts and SAT/ACT scores, within the specified time.
It is worth noting that Stanford University is not alone in resuming standardization requirements this time. In fact, in recent years, more and more American universities have begun to reassess the role of standardized test scores in enrollment decisions. Some universities believe that, Standardized scores can more accurately predict students' academic performance in college To help admissions officers assess applicants' potential and ability more comprehensively.
In recent months, including Harvard University, Yale University, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgetown University, Dartmouth College, Brown University and California Institute of Technology Several top universities in the United States, including, have also announced the resumption of standardized examination requirements.
This trend shows that, American universities are gradually tending to unify and standardize their enrollment policies.
However, not all American universities choose to restore standardization requirements.
Some universities adhere to the Test Optional policy He believes that standardized performance is not the only standard to measure students' ability. for example The University of California System (UC) has chosen to permanently eliminate the standardized examination requirements 。 This decision reflects the differences and characteristics of different universities in enrollment concepts.
In this context, the decision of Stanford University to resume standardization requirements has aroused extensive discussion.
On the one hand, supporters believe that standardized performance is a fair and objective evaluation method, which helps to ensure the fairness and transparency of the enrollment process;
On the other hand, opponents worry that standardized performance may increase students' pressure and anxiety, and even lead some potential students to miss opportunities because standardized performance is not ideal.
However, whatever the views of all parties, Stanford University's decision to resume standardization requirements has become a reality.
For international students, the most important thing now is to actively respond to this challenge, Strive to improve their standardized achievements and competitiveness in other aspects. At the same time, we also need to pay attention to other American universities that still adhere to the Test Optional policy to find more possibilities for their own way to study abroad.
For students who are interested in applying to top universities in the United States, it is important to know the latest admission policies of each university. Academic potential is an important weight to enter these universities, and obtaining competitive subject examination results is the key to stand out.
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