Florida Southern College will implement a test-optional admissions policy for students who are considering enrolling for the spring and fall 2021 terms.
The decision to implement a test-optional admissions policy for students is intended to assist students facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the cancellation of standardized testing dates.
“Given the uncertainty of when and how testing may be administered, we think this is appropriate to meet students’ needs,” said John Grundig, vice president for enrollment management. “Additionally, strong academic talent and potential may not always be reflected in standardized test scores. Students who perform well inside the classroom and demonstrate strong involvement and character outside of it are frequently just as likely to be successful in college.”
As an alternative to submitting test scores, applicants will instead submit a written response to an essay question related to their academic strengths, personal and professional development, unique skills and talents, and the overall impact they believe they can make as a part of the Florida Southern community. Additional factors to be considered for admission to FSC include recommendations, co-curricular activities, community involvement, writing ability, and other academic and personal achievements.
Florida Southern will provide equal consideration for students who choose not to submit standardized test scores as it does for those who do. In both cases, the review process is a holistic one, with a student’s high school transcript being the most important part of any evaluation.
About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in Florida. The College maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 70+ undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio; is an award-winning national leader in engaged learning; and boasts 30 NCAA Division II national championships. It is ranked among the top 10 Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report; and is included in The Princeton Review’s 385 Best Colleges, The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2020, and Forbes magazine’s America’s Top Colleges Guide. FSC is home to the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012. Named the “Most Beautiful Campus in the Nation” for two consecutive years by The Princeton Review and one of the nation’s “Ten College Campuses with the Best Architecture” by Architectural Digest, Florida Southern is an internationally-recognized place of beauty and academic excellence.