NWU Offers Nebraska’s First Test-optional Admissions Policy

Not all bright students shine on standardized tests. For them, high school GPA is a better indicator of their academic potential, because it reflects performance over many semesters.

Nebraska Wesleyan University recognized this reality early on. NWU was the first school in Nebraska to offer a test-optional path to admission.

At NWU, students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or above may choose not to submit a test score and still qualify to receive at least $13,000 annually in four-year renewable scholarships.

How do these students perform at Nebraska Wesleyan? Our retention rate among students who choose not to submit test scores is 94 percent. Their combined GPA is 3.2. And roughly one third are underrepresented students, showing that test-optional practices enhance student access, and increase NWU’s diversity.