Buckhannon, W.Va. — West Virginia Wesleyan College will not require prospective students to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission for the Spring 2021 semester and Fall 2021 entering class.   

Wesleyan is joining a number of colleges and universities across the country in adopting this policy.  The College’s Admission and Academic Standing Policy will review the test-optional policy for subsequent years next spring. 

“Our institutional research has long indicated that the number one predictor of success at Wesleyan has been academic performance in high school,” said John Waltz, vice president of enrollment management.  “A thorough examination of our admissions process has confirmed that we can make sound admissions decisions, and students can represent themselves for consideration without test scores. The Admissions Committee evaluates high school performance as well as reviewing numerous other factors including teacher recommendations, personal essays, and more. We will continue to admit students who we believe have the potential to succeed and graduate.”

“Wesleyan’s pursuit of outstanding students remains unchanged,” added Waltz. “Since the West Virginia PROMISE program’s inception, we have always enrolled more PROMISE Scholars than any private school in the state.”

With this decision, Wesleyan acknowledges that the standardized testing process is a source of considerable stress for high school students due to the cancellation of ACT and SAT testing this summer. 

Wesleyan’s decision aligns closely with the College’s mission of challenging its students to a life-long commitment to develop their intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and leadership potential and to set and uphold standards of excellence.  Wesleyan has a rich tradition of preparing students through its curriculum of arts and sciences, pre-professional, professional, and graduate studies and its rich campus life program. As a residential institution of higher education, the College aspires its graduates to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, act responsibly, and demonstrate their local and world citizenship through service.

Learn more about West Virginia Wesleyan College at www.wvwc.edu.