HU Arizona Goes Test Optional

PEORIA, AZ. — Huntington University Arizona has adopted a test optional admissions process, making the submission of scores from common standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT optional for Huntington University admission.

“High school students are dealing with a lot due to COVID-19,” said Jeff Berggren, director of Arizona operations. “One of the ways the pandemic has affected students is the disruption of the normal SAT and ACT testing. Arizona students have taken the ACT for free at their high school in the late spring of their junior year for some time. With the planned pathway to the ACT cancelled for the Class of 2021 and limited availability for Arizona students to take a standardized test since, eliminating the test from our admissions process will give students some peace of mind during an uncertain time.”

Berggren also pointed out that standardized tests are just one factor the University considers in the college admission process.

Moving forward, admission to Huntington University will rely on a student’s high school curriculum, academic performance, extracurricular activities and essay to make an admission decision.

According to Berggren, studies have shown that students’ high school grade point average and academic record are a better indicator of academic success than standardized test scores.

“By adopting a test optional admission policy, Huntington University will be removing a barrier in the college admission process. This change will allow us to continue providing access and equity in the admission process during COVID-19 and beyond,” said Berggren.

Huntington University Arizona opened its doors in 2016, welcoming students seeking a degree in digital media arts. Since that time, students have created regionally and nationally awarded work, including ADDY awards, BEA Best of Fest awards, and Emmy Student Production Awards. The 30,000-square-foot building houses bachelor’s degree programs in animation, film production, broadcast media, and graphic design. The facility features film and TV studios, high-end computer classroom/labs, private editing suites, a state-of-the-art TV control room, a Foley pit, a host of EFP and cinema cameras, and lighting gear for student production work.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America’s Best Colleges. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The nonprofit university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).