Test Optional
Students are not required to submit standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) as part of their application to St. Thomas.
Instead, when students complete the St. Thomas application, you will select either to apply “with test” or apply “without test”. If a student chooses to apply without a test score, their scores will not be considered in our application review process.
Adopting this test-optional policy allows us to more comprehensively evaluate a student's unique abilities, talents and potential contributions to our ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵ.
How to Apply
Apply online (for free) using the or our application for First-time, First-year Students:
Deciding How to Apply
Score Considerations
Last year, more than half of our admitted students chose to apply without a standardized test. Reviewing the middle 50 percent of first-year students entering fall 2024 might help inform your decision:
First-year students entering fall of 2024:
- Middle 50 percent ACT range: 23-29
- Middle 50 percent SAT range: 1130-1340
- Middle 50 percent average GPA: 3.3-3.9
Submitting a low score, including sub scores, may negatively impact your admissions decision. Once you have submitted a score for consideration, it cannot be removed and will be considered during application review.
We encourage you to contact your admissions counselor if you'd like additional guidance about the best option for you.
When You Have to Decide
You will make the decision about applying with or without a test when you are filling out your application for admission to St. Thomas. We ask this question on both the St. Thomas application and the supplemental questions of the Common App.
If you choose the option to apply without a standardized test, test scores will not be considered as part of the admission review process (even if submitted or previously sent to St. Thomas).
What We’re Looking At
The admissions committee will review many areas of your application.
- High ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵ Record and Strength of Schedule: High school GPA has the most weight in our admission decision. High school GPA is a strong predictor of success in ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵ so we’re going to review your high school transcript - evaluating the strength of your high school courses and your performance in them.
- Essay (Optional, Strongly Recommended): Your essay is a chance for the person reviewing your application to get to know you better. We encourage you to complete one of the prompts.
- Letters of Recommendation (Optional): A max of two letters of recommendation may be sent. We recommend you ask people who know you well (teachers, coaches, employers).
- Activities & Involvement (Extracurriculars, Volunteering, Work Experience, etc.): You’ll share this information in the application and/or you may also send a resume that outlines your activities outside of the classroom.
- Test Scores (Optional): If you choose to apply with your test scores, they will be considered during your application review.
Score Considerations
Score Considerations
Last year, more than half of our admitted students chose to apply without a standardized test. Reviewing the middle 50 percent of first-year students entering fall 2024 might help inform your decision:
First-year students entering fall of 2024:
- Middle 50 percent ACT range: 23-29
- Middle 50 percent SAT range: 1130-1340
- Middle 50 percent average GPA: 3.3-3.9
Submitting a low score, including sub scores, may negatively impact your admissions decision. Once you have submitted a score for consideration, it cannot be removed and will be considered during application review.
We encourage you to contact your admissions counselor if you'd like additional guidance about the best option for you.
When You Have to Decide
When You Have to Decide
You will make the decision about applying with or without a test when you are filling out your application for admission to St. Thomas. We ask this question on both the St. Thomas application and the supplemental questions of the Common App.
If you choose the option to apply without a standardized test, test scores will not be considered as part of the admission review process (even if submitted or previously sent to St. Thomas).
What We’re Looking At
What We’re Looking At
The admissions committee will review many areas of your application.
- High ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵ Record and Strength of Schedule: High school GPA has the most weight in our admission decision. High school GPA is a strong predictor of success in ¸»¶þ´úÊÓƵ so we’re going to review your high school transcript - evaluating the strength of your high school courses and your performance in them.
- Essay (Optional, Strongly Recommended): Your essay is a chance for the person reviewing your application to get to know you better. We encourage you to complete one of the prompts.
- Letters of Recommendation (Optional): A max of two letters of recommendation may be sent. We recommend you ask people who know you well (teachers, coaches, employers).
- Activities & Involvement (Extracurriculars, Volunteering, Work Experience, etc.): You’ll share this information in the application and/or you may also send a resume that outlines your activities outside of the classroom.
- Test Scores (Optional): If you choose to apply with your test scores, they will be considered during your application review.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you change your mind about your test score preference and have already submitted your application, please contact your admissions counselor.
The admissions committee will look at the highest individual composite score and highest individual subject scores when considering admission.
St. Thomas will not require the science section of the ACT.
Our writing policy also remains the same and we do not require the writing portion of the ACT.
We do encourage you to check the testing requirements at all schools where you may apply prior to making a decision about which sections of the ACT test you will take.
If you have both old and new ACT scores, you will report your highest composite score and your highest subscore in each section, even if they are different types of tests (with or without a science section).
If you’re admitted to St. Thomas, you will be considered for merit-based scholarships regardless of if you’ve applied with our without a standardized test. A student’s academic performance in high school is the primary factor in determining the merit scholarship amount. A test score will never decrease the amount of your merit scholarship offer.
Once you are admitted for admission and offered a merit scholarship, we will not accept new scores to increase your scholarship offer. We award your merit scholarship based on academic credentials at time of admission and will not make changes for new information like a test score or higher grade point average. If you intend to apply with a standardized test, always provide your highest test score at time of application.
After an admission decision is made and you've chosen to become a Tommie, you will have the option to submit official ACT or SAT score results (if available) to be used for placement purposes to determine the courses you will take at St. Thomas in math or English.
Sending scores for this reason after admission will never impact your admission decision or merit scholarship amount.
Locate Your Counselor
We're here to help you. That's our job. So please contact us with any questions – big or small!