Test-Optional Admission

All first-year applicants are eligible to apply test-optional.

When you complete either the Rider application or the Common Application, you will be asked if you are applying test optional.

• If you select "Yes", we will review your application for admission and scholarship awards based on your high school transcript, essay, recommendation, and other supporting documents without consideration of your standardized test scores.
• Please look for the prompt, "I would like to apply test optional. I will NOT submit test scores."
• Students accepted through test-optional admission, the Office of Admission strongly recommends that you send us your test scores. Your scores may be used for course placement, but will not affect your admission or scholarship.
• Rider will continue to review SAT or ACT scores from students who believe that their scores are a good measure of their academic ability. Simply answer "No" to the test-optional question on the application, and we will wait for your test scores before making a decision.

Whether you apply test optional or not, Rider makes admission and scholarship decisions based on a comprehensive review of all credentials submitted in support of the application, with the greatest emphasis placed upon the high school academic record.

No, applying test optional will not affect your chances of being admitted to Rider!

If you have specific questions or concerns about your application, email us at [email protected].

Yes. All first-year applicants are considered for scholarships, regardless of test scores. Deciding to apply test optional will not hurt you in the scholarship consideration process. However, if you do submit test scores, they will be considered as a part of our comprehensive evaluation of your credentials for scholarships.

Our top tier merit-based scholarship, in the amount of $27,000 per year, may be available to students with an academic profile of a 4.0 GPA and 1300+ SAT scores or 28+ ACT scores. Students can only be considered for this scholarship by submitting official test scores.

Division I athletes may apply for test-optional admission but must submit their SAT or ACT scores to the NCAA Clearinghouse to satisfy freshman athletic eligibility requirements.

International students may apply test optional but may be required to take tests that measure English proficiency, such as TOEFL or IELTS. For details, see How to Apply - For International Students

Students accepted through test-optional admission, the Office of Admission strongly recommends that you send us your test scores. Your scores may be used for course placement, but will not affect your admission or scholarship.