FAQ for Test Optional Admission Policy
For students entering in Fall 2025 and going forward. Last Updated: Sept. 30, 2024
Union University utilizes a Test-Optional policy not to exceed 5% of the entering class. Students admitted Test-Optional will be required to participate in the Keystone Program.
What application criteria will Union consider instead of test scores?
GPA and class rank (if available) will be used to gauge academic achievement according to our established admission requirements. Students submitting a GPA of 3.0 or better may be reviewed for test-optional consideration. Priority will be given to students enrolled in Honors, AP or Dual Enrollment courses and who rank in the top 50% of their graduating class (if available). Students who present less that a 3.0 GPA will be required to interview with the Center for Academic Success / Keystone Program. This interview will be thorough, personal, in-depth and holistic. After the interview is conducted, the student's completed file with supporting documentation will be presented to the Undergraduate Admissions and Retention Committee for a holistic review and an admission decision. We also reserve the right to request any additional material, such as a letter of reference, if we deem needful to the admissions decision.
If a student applies without a test score, will that affect his or her institutional scholarship aid package?
Potentially YES. Institutional scholarship aid will continue to be allocated based on need and merit. Students who do not submit a test score, have a GPA of 2.0 or better and are accepted for admission will be awarded Merit scholarships in the University Scholarship category, the lowest merit aid category in our awarding grid. Merit awards can increase by as much as $6,000 per year with the submission of a standardized test score, so it can be to the student's advantage to submit a score if available.
Scholars of Excellence participation will still require submission of standardized test scores with no change in minimum requirements.
Certain university endowed scholarships may require a test score in order to qualify. There are also some outside agencies that require test scores. For example the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship utilizes the ACT as one aspect of eligibility consideration.
If a student decides to submit test scores later, even if he or she applied as test optional, Union will review new scores until May 1 and notify the student of any increase to his or her academic scholarship.
Who can apply as test optional?
Students who believe that their academic ability is better demonstrated by their GPA can apply as test optional.
How does a student apply as test optional?
Students are to notify their enrollment counselor that they wish to be considered for admission without submission of a standardized test score.
Are any students excluded from this policy change?
International students, whose first language is not English, will still need to provide a test score for English proficiency determination in accordance with our current admission standards. Students pursuing admission to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences or the Teacher Education Program should be aware that standardized test scores are still required. Standardized test scores are one factor considered in placement in calculus, though other criteria can be substituted for consideration according to catalogue policy. Standardized test scores are also used for placement in some chemistry courses as well.