Well before the pandemic, the University of Chicago made history by implementing a test-optional policy. This bold move is highly characteristic of this prestigious research university, which has been blazing its path in higher education for decades. From its esoteric supplemental essay questions to its cutting-edge economics department, famed for making outrageous and yet accurate claims about the state of the world, UChicago has never been one to take cues from anyone but itself.

What Happened When UChicago Implemented a Test-Optional Policy?

When they first implemented their test-optional policy, UChicago saw a spike in applications (to no one’s surprise!). As Jim Jump reports for Inside Higher Ed in a piece entitled “Ethical College Admissions: Chicago Declares Test Optional a Success,” “The university increased enrollment of first-gen and low-income students by 20 percent and rural students by 56 percent, and it enrolled 14 veterans after having none the previous year. It accomplished this while lowering its admit rate to 6 percent and raising its average SAT score.”

Is it any surprise that the average SAT score at UChicago increased after they made it optional to submit test scores in the first place? No — but it foreshadowed what would happen at highly selective schools nationwide once the pandemic had made test-optional policies a temporary norm. As 2024 draws to a close, many schools have abandoned their test-optional policies and returned to requiring standardized tests. But not UChicago. They’ve doubled down on their commitment to a future without the SAT or ACT!

UChicago’s “No Harm” Testing Policy

UChicago now goes even further than simply committing to a test-optional policy. Pandemic or not, they’ve further reduced the importance of standardized testing in their admissions cycle by implementing a “no harm” testing policy. Let’s take a look at this unorthodox and utterly UChicago-style approach to testing, as detailed on their website:

“Submitting an SAT or ACT is optional and not required for admission. In addition to being test-optional, UChicago practices a “No Harm” policy for application review when considering SAT or ACT scores. Any SAT or ACT score submitted will only be used in review if it will positively affect an applicant’s chance of admission. Test scores that may negatively impact an admission decision will not be considered in review. All applicants, including domestic students, international students, and transfer students will be reviewed under this policy.”

In other words, UChicago claims it won’t hurt an applicant’s chances to submit an SAT score of, say, 900. It just won’t be factored into their decision. But can they be taken at their word for this forward-thinking policy? After all, highly selective colleges are known for saying one thing and doing another. They say they don’t track Demonstrated Interest and yet are more likely to admit the student who has visited campus and applied Early. Most claim to be need-blind, yet they ask whether a student will need financial aid if admitted on their applications! So when UChicago implements a “no-harm” policy, we tell our students not to believe it!

Ivy Coach’s Recommendation: Only Submit Competitive Test Scores

We could strongly caution any applicant to UChicago against submitting a test score that isn’t well within the 1510—1560 middle 50% of SAT scores or 34—35 middle 50% of ACT scores found among admitted UChicago applicants as reported by the College Board. They might claim they won’t use your low score against you, but why give them the opportunity?

With that being said, the most competitive applicants to UChicago submit high test scores that boost their odds of admission. If you want to show them you mean business, you had better do well on whichever standardized test you take!

If you’re interested in optimizing your child’s odds of admission to the University of Chicago, fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch to outline Ivy Coach’s services with Hannah Skaran, a former UChicago admissions officer.