Wright State waives application fee and test requirements for new undergrad students for fall 2021

Waiving the application fee and testing requirement will remove barriers for students who want to pursue a four-year college education.

Wright State University is making it easier for prospective students to become Raiders and Lakers.

All undergraduate students may now apply to Wright State for the 2021 summer or fall semester for free.

Wright State has also instituted a test-optional policy and will not require ACT or SAT test scores from first-year students who apply for admission for summer or fall 2021 or fall 2022.

Both policy changes apply to applicants at the Dayton Campus and Lake Campus.

Students can apply for admission to Wright State University at wright.edu/apply.

Waiving the application fee and testing requirement will remove barriers that some students and families may encounter because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Rob Durkle, Wright State’s chief recruitment and admissions officer. It is an approach that’s consistent with the university’s mission, he said.

“We want to open up even more opportunities to provide greater access for students who want to attend college,” Durkle said.

Wright State is committed to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to pursue a quality four-year college education, said Jen McCamis, director of admissions at Wright State. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of Admissions has heard from numerous students and families about concerns about finances and access to standardized tests.

“We know that money is tight and times are tough,” McCamis said. “We want to make sure we are serving our community as we work to help students get to college.”

The new test-optional admissions process allows students to apply with or without test scores. Because the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancelation of many ACT and SAT test dates in the spring, many students were unable to take the tests. Wright State did not want to penalize those students who have not been able to take either test, McCamis said.

The university will take a more holistic review of each student’s application. “Looking at four years of a high school record of transcript is usually more important than looking at a four-hour exam score,” Durkle said.

“This allows us to serve students where they are and not put any additional pressure on them to try to figure out a way to get to college,” McCamis added.

The test-optional pathway will be in place for two years while the Office of Admissions works with the Faculty Senate to evaluate the test requirement long-term.

“We were able to collaborate institutionally with the faculty and leadership to find some best guidance,” McCamis said.

Wright State has also redesigned its scholarship strategy to provide financial support to more students who have financial needs. Needs-based and academic scholarships are offered to students who are admitted directly from high school.

The university recognizes that students have financial needs for a variety of reasons, including because of COVID-19 and the state of the economy.

“We believe in the students. We believe in access. We believe in a quality, affordable education for students,” McCamis said. “We want to make sure that all students have the opportunity that they want to choose a quality four-year education they deserve.”

Learn more

For more information about applying to Wright State, contact admissions@wright.edu or 937-775-5700, or visit wright.edu/admissions/undergraduate.