WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic’s continued impact on SAT and ACT testing
opportunities and the closure of public and private high schools have limited the
ability of prospective students to complete all admissions requirements in the required
timeframe; and
WHEREAS, Winthrop University has received an exponential increase in Test Optional applications for Fall 2021, including a large number of applications from students whose high school GPAs are above 4.0; and
WHEREAS, Winthrop’s internal research is consistent with national data indicating that high school GPA is the best predictor of student success per cumulative Winthrop GPA, retention and graduation; and
WHEREAS, announcing the continuance of these adjusted admissions criteria well in advance of Fall 2022 applications will ensure maximum marketing and recruitment benefits; and
WHEREAS, a large number of colleges and universities across the nation and in the state of South Carolina have already adopted test optional admissions standards; and
WHEREAS, the challenges of COVID-19 have dramatically changed the landscape of higher education application and admissions standards; and
WHEREAS, extending the adjusted admissions criteria through the Fall 2023 admissions cycle will allow Winthrop University’s leadership to fully examine and consider 1) the retention rates and academic progress of these applicants and 2) the potential enrollment increases as a result of this adjust
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Winthrop Board of Trustees directs the suspension of the university’s requirement that applicants for Fall 2021 through Fall 2023 must provide standardized test results to be considered for admission; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the remaining admissions criteria used to ensure a high-caliber, high-achieving student body at Winthrop University will remain in place, subject to any future State of South Carolina directives, and prospective students will be evaluated with the same amount of due diligence that has served over time to uphold the University’s academic standards.
APPROVED, this 9th day of April 2021
