Admission to Hiram College is test-optional for Fall 2021, but what does the term “test-optional” really mean?
With a wave of higher education institutions becoming test-optional due to test center disruptions and COVID-19, it’s important to understand how this change affects the college search process, applications, and scholarships.
At Hiram, we believe that standardized test scores do not define a student or their fit at our college. Students may opt to include test scores as another aspect to be reviewed as part of their application, but those who choose not to send or take standardized tests will not be marked down in any way.
Since our application review process is holistic, our admission staff looks at many aspects of a student’s application including GPA, ranking, classes, leadership roles, etc. The scholarship process is also test-blind, meaning that all test scores will not be considered during the awarding of merit scholarships.
What if I want to major in education?
In pursuit of aligning our teacher education program with Hiram College’s test-optional policy, students pursuing a major in any teacher licensure field may be admitted to Hiram College without standardized test scores. Once a student is admitted to Hiram, they will work closely with an education faculty member to fulfill the necessary state requirements for admission to the teacher education program, which may include a combination of course equivalents and standardized tests.
What if I want to major in nursing?
Hiram’s nursing program continues to offer direct admittance for students who have a 2.8 GPA with B’s or better in chemistry, biology, and algebra 2 and with ACT scores of a 22 or higher. Our new test-optional pathway allows students who do not submit standardized tests but have a 3.3 GPA or higher with B’s or better in chemistry, biology, and algebra 2 to also be directly admitted into the nursing program. For students who show great potential but do not meet all of our nursing program requirements, we offer a pre-nursing pathway, where students take courses to prepare them for the rigors of the nursing program, while maintaining progression to graduate in four years.
by Haley Skeens
