The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in uncertainty for colleges and universities and anxiety for students as they move through the college search process. Trinity University is keenly aware of these pressures and is making changes to admissions policies to better ensure access to a Trinity education for highly-qualified students.
With high school students suddenly unable to take required standardized tests required due to cancellations in test dates, Trinity University is introducing a test-optional policy for undergraduate applicants for a 3-year period starting with applicants who apply for the Fall 2021 semester. Applicants for first-year admission to the University are no longer required to submit any standardized test results to the Office of Admissions. Trinity will re-evaluate whether to indefinitely extend the test-optional policy or reinstate a testing requirement at the end of the 3-year period.
With this move to test-optional admissions, Trinity will continue to review and consider test scores for those applicants who want to submit them. Any applicant can also choose to be evaluated only on high school grades, curriculum rigor, essays, recommendation letters, achievements, interviews, and contributions to their school and community. Trinity also views this as an opportunity to redefine achievement in a way that might have overlooked certain students in the past.
As we face unprecedented challenges, now is the time for flexibility guided by the University’s core values and mission. At Trinity, this means re-thinking and revising long-standing policies and procedures while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence to ensure students have access to a Trinity education.
Test Self-Reporting Policy
Trinity will continue its self-reported testing policy that allows undergraduate applicants to submit unofficial test scores at no additional expense via their applicant portal. The University will also continue to verify all submitted scores for students who eventually enroll.
English Language Proficiency Policy
International students will still be required to submit the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or DET (Duolingo English Test) as the primary means for evaluating their English-language proficiency.
The new test-optional policy will be reflected in the application materials for the Fall 2021 first-year class, and Trinity admissions counselors will provide more information to high school counselors and potential applicants.
For questions or further information, please reach out to your admissions counselor or to Justin Doty, dean of Admissions, at adoty@trinity.edu.
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