Drury University is test optional and you can apply, be considered for scholarships, and ultimately enroll without taking the ACT or SAT.
Your application for admission to Drury University should represent you, and serves as a record of what you have done during your four years of high school. We take a holistic approach to your academic record; i.e. your curriculum, grades, and grade trend. Though the ACT/SAT does provide a measurement of education and knowledge, we maintain test optional policies recognizing that not all students have the same access to testing and test prep. Please know that we review all information provided to us in the Office of Admission. While you might apply test-optional, if you submit or scores are on your high school transcript, those will be considered as part of our holistic review process.
Applying now without an ACT or SAT score or even with a test date scheduled, does not preclude you for submitting a score later. However, your academic scholarship will not be adjusted.
Drury University selects students for admission in a holistic way and thus considers a number of factors in determining a student’s potential for success. After researching how standardized test scores impact academic performance and graduation rates, we realized that a student’s academic record is the best predictor. Furthermore, we recognize that not all students have the same access to the ACT and SAT.
On the Drury Application for Admission, you will be able to pick from two Admission Pathways: Submit ACT/SAT test scores or Submit an Essay/Writing Sample.
If you select Essay/Writing Sample, you will be prompted to send an essay/writing sample to Drury. We accept any of the Common Application First-year essay prompts. This essay will be scored on a 1-36 scale and this score will be considered for both admission and academic scholarship purposes.
You will have the option to have an Admission Counselor contact you with more information while completing the application (Select “Unsure” from the option list). The choice is yours, but we want you to feel comfortable with the choice.
Some students apply Test Optional because they want to apply before they take a test this fall. Others prefer a graded essay over a standardized test and others still think the ACT or SAT gives them the best chance at a top scholarship.
Whatever your reasoning, Drury will support your decision and if you change your mind after you take an ACT or SAT, you can submit those scores for scholarship purposes, as long as it is received by the appropriate Priority Financial Aid Deadline. It may or may not increase your scholarship, so feel free to reach out to your Admission Counselor to ask what would be appropriate for your academic profile.
Test optional admits will also be considered for academic scholarships. We will score your essay on a 1-36 scale based up on rubric determined by our faculty. We will use this score in determining your award. If you later choose to submit a test score, your academic scholarship will not be adjusted if your score is higher than that of your essay.
Yes, but this would apply solely for admission, not scholarship.
Homeschooled students are highly encouraged to submit an ACT or SAT score. If there is a barrier to taking the ACT or SAT, reach out to your Admission Counselor. If a homeschooled student intends to apply with an essay/writing sample rather than a test score, Drury may also require an Admission Interview and/or residual ACT to be considered for admission.
Your application will receive the same review as an application with a test score. The same level of emphasis will be placed on your academic record—i.e. your curriculum, grades and grade trend—and we will continue to value your ability to make a difference on campus through curricular and extracurricular activities. After your admission counselor has made the first review and a recommendation is made, it will be passed along to the admission committee for final review. This is the same process regardless of the application you apply with (Drury or Common Application) or the test score option you choose (submitted score vs. test optional).
No. Please submit one of the following: TOEFL, IELTS, SAKAE, and/or Duolingo scores.
Absolutely not. Your application will receive the same review as an application with a test score. The same level of emphasis will be placed on your academic record—i.e. your curriculum, grades and grade trend—and we will continue to value your ability to make a difference on campus through curricular and extracurricular activities.
No, however, 3 of the 5 medical schools in the Pre-Med Scholars program require an ACT score.
In lieu of the ACT or SAT score other applicants are submitted, we are requesting another data point to consider in reviewing your application. We determined a written response to be the appropriate additional material needed to holistically review your application.
Drury accepts any of the Common Application prompts. The last option listed includes a topic of the applicant’s choice, which includes being able to send a writing sample. We recommend the submission essay/writing sample be between 250-500 words.
Please submit your completed essay/writing sample as a PDF file to druryad@drury.edu.
