Dominican College Announces Test-Optional Admissions

ORANGEBURG, NY – Dominican College announced Wednesday that first-time freshmen applicants for the Fall 2018 semester will not be required to submit a standardized test score for admission to the college. Dominican is the first college in Rockland County to adopt a test-optional policy, which is a growing trend nationwide. According to FairTest, the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, more than 950 colleges and universities nationwide have announced test-optional policies.

“We have found that a student’s overall high school academic record is the best indicator of a student’s success in college and the research backs that up, “ said College President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien, O.P., Ph.D. in the announcement. “We’ve also been particularly concerned that studies indicate performance on standardized tests is closely linked to family income and education level, and may be biased against certain minority students.”

Sr. Mary Eileen added that this new policy aligns with the mission of Dominican College, which is focused on maintaining “a student-centered climate” that “serves a diverse community of students.” She said, “It’s hoped that this new policy will re-focus both students and parents on what really matters -- day-to- day performance in the classroom and the personal characteristics of the student.“

All test-optional applicants will be expected to complete a minimum of 16 units of college-preparatory coursework:

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of mathematics (including Algebra and Geometry)
• 2 units of a laboratory science
• 2 units of social sciences
• 5 additional units in any of the above subject areas (and/or in a foreign language)

Certain students will continue to be required to submit SAT or ACT scores, including those who have been homeschooled, have completed a General Education Diploma (G.E.D.), do not meet the above 16-unit requirement, and international students. In addition, international students whose native language is not English are required to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination scores.

Applicants must indicate on the Dominican College admission application or the Common Application whether they want the standardized test scores to be considered for admission. If a student has previously sent scores to the College and later indicates on the application that the scores should not be considered, the scores will be deleted from the college admission system. Students who change their minds about whether test scores should be considered, after submitting an application, must send an email to admissions@dc.edu.

For more information about the new policy, please email admissions@dc.edu or call 845-848- 7901.

PHOTO: Students at Dominican College/contributed