The best test-optional schools in the U.S.

Standardized testing, for better or for worse, can be a distinguishing piece of your child’s application. Students with subpar test results and an otherwise strong academic record should look to SAT/ACT optional institutions to help improve their chances of getting admitted. Here are the best test-optional and test-flexible schools in the U.S. (in order) based on Forbes Magazine’s most recent publication of “America’s Top Colleges.”

Wesleyan University – Middletown, CT
While the school’s student body is slightly larger than similar schools in New England, Wesleyan maintains a strong sense of academic and personal freedom on campus for students. It is known as a diverse and progressive place to spend four years.

Bowdoin College – Brunswick, ME
Viewed as one the premier liberal arts colleges in the country, Bowdoin is located in a charming and vibrant small-town setting just north of Portland.

Middlebury College – Middlebury, VT (test flexible)
If your calling is the outdoors, Middlebury may be the place for you. The school’s rural setting is coupled with a newly acquired “test flexible” policy. This indicates that students can submit three SAT II subject tests in place of the SAT or ACT.

Colby College – Waterville, ME (test flexible)
In a similar manner to its Maine counterparts at Bowdoin and Bates, Colby’s academic experience is built upon close relationships between students and professors. The school offers specialized writing programs for students in the humanities and has an acceptance rate around 25%.

Hamilton College – Clinton, NY (test flexible)
As the third oldest college in New York, Hamilton combines a long-standing academic reputation with an increasingly diverse student body. An all-male school until 1978, students from 47 different countries are now represented on campus. For those interested in study abroad, Hamilton is affiliated with over 100 programs around the world.

Smith College – Northampton, MA
Located in a bustling and quirky town called Northampton, Smith has been an all-girls school since its inception. With membership to the “Five College Consortium,” students have access to nearby institutions such as Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts.

College of the Holy Cross – Worcester, MA
Holy Cross combines the community feel of a small liberal arts college with an urban environment, larger student body (just under 3,000 total) and Division-1 athletics.

Franklin & Marshall College – Lancaster, PA
Surrounded by the rural farmland of central Pennsylvania, F&M still maintains an urban feel within the city of Lancaster. Total enrollment is just over 2,000. See Dickinson College (below) for a comparable institution in terms of size and campus setting.

University of Rochester – Rochester, NY (test flexible)
As one of the larger institutions on the list, Rochester provides students with options for graduate-level studies on campus as well. The majority of undergrads will enroll in the College of Arts Sciences and Engineering.

Colorado College – Colorado Springs, CO (test flexible)
“CC” has become increasingly popular in recent years – and for good reason. Surrounded by a picaresque mountain setting, the school combines an urban feel with an outdoorsy vibe. The total enrollment is just over 2,000.

Bryn Mawr College – Bryn Mawr, PA
Like Smith, Bryn Mawr is an all-female institution. Located outside of Philadelphia, students can enroll in courses at nearby schools such as Haverford, Swarthmore and Penn. The student body is on the small side with around 1,300 total.

Union College – Schenectady, NY
While a winter getaway to Schenectady may not be on your list, the school has managed to build quite a reputation despite its setting. Similar schools in terms of campus environment include St. Lawrence and Colgate.

Bates College – Lewiston, ME
With a tight-knit and inviting community, the Bates campus is known as a welcoming setting to spend four years and a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Relative to its size, Bates graduated an impressive 19 Fulbright Scholars from the class of 2015.

Brandeis University – Waltham, MA
Located just north of Boston, Brandeis has a similar feel to nearby Babson College, minus the business concentration. The school has a large Jewish population on campus and was founded in 1948.

New York University (NYU) – New York, NY (test flexible)
Set in the heart of Manhattan, NYU’s setting provides students with obvious advantages both on and off campus. Along with the College of Arts and Sciences, NYU has a world renowned film school for both undergraduate and graduate-level studies.

Trinity College (CT) – Hartford, CT (test flexible)
While the city of Hartford has had its struggles, Trinity has worked hard to provide students with opportunities both on-campus and abroad. More than 50% of students will study in a foreign country during their four years, many venturing to Trinity’s satellite campus in Rome.

University of Texas, Austin – Austin, TX
While many think football when it comes to UT, the school has become a highly reputable academic institution over the past ten years. The cost of attending is relatively low ($34,836 out-of-state) and the alumni network is sizable and loyal. To the surprise of many students, Austin is considered one of the more liberal and socially progressive cities in the region.

Sewanee – University of the South – Sewanee, TN
While Sewanee has come on the scene in recent years, it is often overshadowed by larger universities in the south. The tight-knit campus of 1,600 students is juxtaposed with the school’s ownership of more than 12,000 acres of land. The school also maintains a strong affiliation with the Episcopal Church.

Dickinson College – Carlisle, PA
With a strong liberal arts focus, Dickinson’s location and campus environment combines both the New England small college feel with a slight southern touch. The school’s setting makes it easily accessible from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC.

Connecticut College – New London, CT
Founded in 1911, “Conn College” is young compared to its peer institutions. Originally founded as a women’s college, the school’s student body is still around 60% female.

Mount Holyoke College – South Hadley, MA
Like Smith, Holyoke’s student body is entirely female and also a member of the Five College Consortium. While the school’s admissions rates are strong, it still is considered less competitive than its all-female counterparts such as Smith and Wellesley.

Denison University – Granville, OH
While the town of Granville is small (just under 6,000 residents total), Denison has become one of the more reputable liberal arts institutions in the Midwest. Like Connecticut College, Denison is around 60% female. In recent years, the acceptance rate has consistently hovered around 50%.

Test-optional and test-flexible schools can be a saving grace for students and parents alike. With that said, it is important that you and your child not misconstrue the test-optional label for a less competitive admissions decision. Each of these 20 institutions maintain a high standard when it comes to evaluating your child’s entire application.