Shortly after Harvard University officially announced the reinstatement of the standardized score requirement for fall 2025 applications, on April 22, Cornell’s official media outlet, CORNELL CHRONICLE, reported that Cornell University will reinstate the standardized test requirement for fall 2026. However, the standardized optional policy will still be available for students entering in fall 2025.
While 2025 FALL students may voluntarily choose to submit standardized scores, Cornell University strongly recommends that students applying to the following colleges submit SAT/ACT scores:
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Engineering
- School of Human Ecology
- School of Jeb E. Brooks Public Policy
- School of Industry and Labor Relations
01 Why Cornell University chose to reinstate standardized
Cornell’s decision to reinstate standardized test requirements came after years of evaluation by its Admissions Standardized Testing Task Force. Cornell believes that students who are admitted with standardized scores tend to have stronger GPAs and are likely to maintain good academic performance. Test scores help provide a more complete overview of the individual applicant, and these scores provide a valuable reference to a student’s potential for academic success while at Cornell.
Michael Kotlikoff, Cornell’s Dean of Faculty, said, “Standardized exams promote admissions opportunities for students from a broader range of backgrounds, and developing exam requirements may enhance our ability to identify and admit qualified students.”
02 Latest Standardized Policies of Eight Ivy League Schools and Top U.S. Undergraduate Colleges and Universities
As of now, five of the eight Ivy League schools have officially reinstated the standardized test requirement: Dartmouth College, Brown University, Yale University, Harvard University, and Cornell University.
The other three Ivy League schools, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania, will implement the standardized optional policy in the fall of 2025, and Columbia University will implement the permanent standardized optional policy.
In addition, more top U.S. colleges and universities will change their Test Optional policy in the 25/26 application season and implement a new Test Flexible policy: in addition to the traditional SAT/ACT, they will place more emphasis on APs than ever before, including AP exams and high school AP course selections and scores.
For example, in addition to the Ivy League schools such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Dartmouth College, the New York University, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the University of Rochester have also implemented the Test-Flexible flexible standardization policy, meaning that the schools still require the submission of test scores, but the SAT/ACT scores can be replaced with AP and other scores to satisfy the school’s standardization requirements.
03 Take U.S. high school AP credit courses to improve your GPA and enhance your competitiveness in applying to top U.S. undergraduate universities.
AP refers to Advanced Placement, which is a higher level of difficulty than general high school courses, and closer to the difficulty of undergraduate courses in the U.S. The GPA of AP credit courses is 5.0, which can be weighted to effectively improve the GPA, and is highly efficient in enhancing the applicant’s academic background.
Our SMOA online AP credit courses cover all 7 major AP subjects and offer 30+ subjects. Meanwhile, we have our own test center in mainland China, and students can take the AP exam in Shanghai in May every year.
Obtaining a high-value U.S. AP credit and transcript at SMOA will increase your competitiveness when applying to top U.S. colleges and universities!
04 SMOA originates from a century-old boarding school in the U.S. and has been certified by many international organizations.
Our self-confidence comes from strong American strength: SMOA originates from St. Mary’s School, a century-old elite boarding school in the U.S. and one of the top 100 boarding schools in the U.S. SMOA offers authentic online U.S. high school credit courses, AP credit courses, and U.S. high school diploma courses.
Authoritatively accredited by Cognia, it meets the standards of the Collage Board AP system and the University of California’s UC A-G system, and the U.S. high school diplomas, diplomas, and credits issued are recognized by first-class universities in the U.S. and around the world.
05 AP credit course enrollment is in progress
SMOA offers 30+ AP credit courses. In addition to common popular AP courses, such as AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP U.S. History, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Physics 1/2, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Psychology, etc., there are also numerous unpopular/specialty courses available, such as AP 2D Art and Drawing, which are able to satisfy the personalized needs of different backgrounds and students.
8 Weeks to effectively improve the GPA, winter and summer breaks as well as fall and spring semesters are offered year-round on a rotating basis. Classes are offered in small sized classes of 3-6 students, and can be customized one-on-one. For more information about classes and courses details, please contact us.