Test-Flexible FAQ

Drake University has always reviewed student applications in an individualized and holistic manner. Within that review, the quality of a student’s transcript, particularly the GPA and rigor of the curriculum, is weighed most heavily and serves as the best indicator for success in college.

We recognize that performance on a standardized test or a written application will not fully represent a student’s qualifications for admission to Drake. As a university, we have made the decision to let each student decide how best to present his or her academic strengths, skills, and attributes in the application process. The test-flexible path allows for Drake to consider a student’s potential for success, which may be demonstrated in areas other than an ACT or SAT score.

Any students who have achieved a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (weighted or unweighted) are able to choose the test-flexible path in the application process. However, there are a few exceptions. The following students must apply through the standard path that requires submission of an official ACT or SAT score report:

• Pre-Pharmacy applicants
• Pre-Occupational Therapy applicants
• Pre-Athletic Training applicants
• National Alumni Scholarship applicants
• Home-schooled students

When completing the application for admission, students will be asked if they wish to follow the standard path or the test-flexible path. For those students pursuing the test-flexible path, an interview will be required in lieu of submitting an ACT or SAT score. If you feel as though an interview would allow you to provide more insight into your potential for success at Drake, then you may wish to choose the test-flexible path. You may also wish to take the profile of the class entering Drake in Fall 2015 into account: The average ACT score was 27, and the average SAT score (critical reading and math only) was 1198.

As with all applications, Drake takes a holistic approach to application review. The University considers a student’s transcript, essay, counselor/teacher recommendation, activities, and leadership as it seeks to enroll students with the greatest potential for success at Drake. Test-flexible candidates will be asked to complete an interview, which will be considered in lieu of the test score.

Students following the test-flexible path will be given full, complete, and equal consideration for admission, just as with students who choose the standard path.

Once your Drake application, which includes an essay, and an official transcript are received by the Office of Admission, an interview may be scheduled.  To complete your application, the High School Report or a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor or teacher must also be submitted to the Office of Admission.

Your admission counselor will contact you to set up your interview after your application for admission with essay and official transcript are received in the Office of Admission.   Interviews can be scheduled during a campus visit, at a time your admission counselor will be in your local area, or via Skype or Facetime.

Students will be interviewed by a member of the Office of Admission team, most frequently with the applicant’s admission counselor. While it is our preference that these interviews take place on campus so students may fully benefit from the Drake visit experience, arrangements can be made to complete these interviews through Skype or Facetime or when the admission counselor is in an applicant’s local area. The interview will be completed with the applicant only and will address a student’s experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.

No, one essay is required of all applicants regardless of path. Additional essays are not required for students pursuing the test-flexible path.

Drake does not require the SAT subject test for admission.

Yes, home-schooled students are required to submit either an official ACT or SAT score report.

International students who have achieved a high school cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale (approximately a “B” average) are able to choose either the test-flexible path or the standard path the application process. Students who have achieved a high school grade point average of less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are asked to either submit an official SAT or ACT score report or request an interview.

The following students, however, must apply through the standard path that requires submission of an official ACT or SAT score report:

• Pre-Pharmacy applicants
• Pre-Occupational Therapy applicants
• Pre-Athletic Training applicants
• National Alumni Scholarship applicants
• Home-schooled students

Drake also requires submission of the TOEFL or IELTS as proof of language proficiency. Conditional admission is offered to most programs of study. Please refer to the application instructions for further details.

If a student opts for the test-flexible path, any scores reported on the high school transcript will not be considered in the admission decision, and the student will be contacted to schedule the required interview.

When you submit your application to Drake (either via the Common Application or Drake’s online application), you will be asked to indicate if you would like to pursue the test-flexible path. Once we receive your application with your declared intent, we will consider that your committed path. As such, you are strongly encouraged to carefully consider your decision prior to submission of your application since you will be unable to change paths.

However, if you have initially chosen the test-flexible path and later decide to apply for the Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Athletic Training programs or a scholarship program that requires a test score such as the National Alumni Scholarship, you may change your path and submit your ACT or SAT score report. Please contact your admission counselor in this situation.

Students applying by either the standard or test-flexible path will be given full and equal consideration for the Presidential Scholarship. As this scholarship is awarded only at the point of admission, no change will be made if a request to include or withdraw a standardized test score report is made at a later date.

Students who are eligible for the National Alumni Scholarship must complete the standard path and submit the qualifying test scores.

Yes.  Once admitted to Drake University, test-flexible applicants will be invited to apply for the Honors Program. Test scores are not required because application to the program is based on specific writing samples.

If you apply to Drake University via the test-flexible path, you will not be required to submit test scores at any time, including post admission or at the point of enrollment.

Important Admission Dates