Coronavirus Update

May 5, 2020

Temporary Test-Optional Admissions Policy

Bowie State University remains committed to meeting the needs of prospective students during this turbulent time as it relates to COVID-19. To reduce the anxiety caused by cancellation of the ACT and SAT this spring, Bowie State is temporarily adjusting the test requirement for admission for fall 2020.

We know that 30-40% of high school seniors were scheduled to take the ACT and SAT in March, April and May, according to the College Board. As a result, students who are unable to take these tests due to cancellations will be able to be admitted to the university under the Temporary Test-Optional Admissions Policy.

Under this new policy, Bowie State University will allow prospective students to be admitted without an ACT or SAT score if their high school GPA is 3.0 or higher. Prospective students must indicate by email to ugradadmissions@bowiestate.edu that their testing date was canceled in March, April or May due to COVID-19. These prospective students will be asked to submit an official or unofficial transcript and will be admitted solely on this document. Students admitted with an unofficial transcript will be required to submit official transcripts as soon as public school systems are back in operation. After review of official transcripts, some adjustments may be necessary to the fall 2020 class schedule for some students.

Students whose GPA falls between 2.75 and 2.99 can submit an appeal letter and two letters of recommendation from a teacher, principal or coach supporting their case to be admitted to the university without an ACT or SAT score. The appeal and supporting documentation should be emailed to ugradadmissions@bowiestate.edu, stating that the appeal is being submitted due to the cancellation of the SAT and ACT in March, April or May.

We are hopeful that these temporary changes to our admissions policy will provide relief for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college admissions process under difficult circumstances.