Sep 22, 2014 11:08 AM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Eastern Connecticut State University has adopted a test-optional admissions policy, school officials announced Monday.

The school no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions. It joins a growing number of public and private colleges that have adopted a Test Optional Admission policy.

"Admission to Eastern is based primarily on a student's achievement in a strong high school curriculum, which is the best predictor of success at Eastern," school officials said.

Prospective students who choose not to submit their standardized test scores with their application to Eastern Connecticut State University should present, an unweighted cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, a college preparatory curriculum that results in 18 academic units over four high school years, a solid essay, and a "strong" teacher recommendation.

Although interviews are not required as part of the application process, they are strongly recommended for students not submitting SAT/ACT scores.

Students who wish to be considered for the Honors Program or Merit Scholarship and applicants who have been home schooled are required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications. International students must also submit test scores. However, if they choose not to submit SAT scores, they are required to submit either TOEFL or IELTS English Language test scores with their application.

More and more universities are becoming test-flexible or test-optional, meaning applicants don't have to submit their SAT/ACT scores or even have to take the SAT or ACT. The trend reflects a change in attitude regarding whether standardized test scores should be the most important factor in admission.

"Many prospective students 'test well' on general standardized exams, and bring that ability to campus, while some are best at mastering specific material in subjects that interest them most, and bring that diligence and focus," officials at the University of Rochester said after they adopted the policy in 2012.

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