The lenient policies of the universities were in the limelight since the COVID situation prevailed. But recently, it is heard that the requirements are mostly the same as well as the application deadlines in the globally top universities in terms of Scholarships. Take Emory University, Georgia for example.

At Georgia Pubilc college and universities, the SAT and ACT scores are waived previously because the test-centers were closed. At this point, several universities showed leniency as they started accepting the scores of online alternatives.

It is known to all that in the globally top universities, candidates from international locations often apply for a merit scholarship. These scholarships can be university scholarships as well as national and international scholarships. The tuition fees are often very high in these universities and the scholarships are meant to financially aid the meritorious candidates.

For scholarship purposes, the SAT and ACT scores are still required in universities. Emory University, Georgia had recently mentioned this. At the same time, it is also mentioned that score of SAT as well as ACT will be optional till the admission of next year, but to avail the scholarships, the candidates need to submit the SAT and ACT scores necessarily.

In simpler words, the university authority had mentioned that the candidates, who will apply for the scholarships, have to submit the score of a standardized test. This rule applies to all the university scholarships as well as the state’s Zell Miller scholarship.

Along with this, it was announced that Georgia’s two-tiered HOPE scholarship program would follow the same rule. This is to mention that these scholarships can pay the entire tuition costs of the candidates who fulfill the requirements. But here requirement does not mean a good academic record – along with a good academic record in the last years, the candidates compulsorily need to submit 1200 SAT score or a 26 ACT score.
As per the updates, a huge number of private colleges have adopted the score waiver policy at present. Emory University is one of them and the score is not required for 2021 admission. This policy is taken temporarily due to the COVID situation though. However, this policy happened to be a great advantage for the candidates. But a huge number of candidates depend on the scholarships to fund their study and without the test scores, they cannot avail the scholarships – it is indeed a real problem as the test centers are mostly close now.

Most importantly, unlike other tests, SAT and ACT do not have the home edition like the others. The universities and the states are well aware of this scenario and maybe that’s why the last date of submitting the SAT and ACT score has been extended at many universities. This is probably the maximum the universities can do for the students.

In Emory University, the deadline of the HOPE program is extended till December, so that the candidates can take the test and submit the score to avail the scholarships. According to Jennifer Lee, the higher education analyst with the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, removing the score requirements for the Miller scholarships is capable to increase diversity among the recipients so, it is a way better policy compared to lower the standards.