The College Investor reports that every Ivy League school now requires SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate applications, following recent policy updates from institutions including Yale and Columbia. The reversal from test-optional policies adopted during the pandemic signals a broader national shift back toward standardized tests as a component of holistic review. Other higher-education bodies, such as the University of California system, are also debating standardized-testing policies, underscoring changing and sometimes conflicting national trends.
For students in Jordan and the Middle East aiming at Ivy League or highly selective U.S. colleges, the immediate effect is practical and time-sensitive: you must plan to take a validated SAT or ACT and submit official scores with your application. Early application windows (early action/early decision) are typically in November, and regular decision cycles usually close in January — meaning an October or November test date is often the last realistic chance for early applicants, while December or January tests may still serve regular applicants. Check each university’s admissions page for exact deadlines; policies and dates vary by school.
What students should do now: register for the next available SAT or ACT sitting and reserve at least three to six months for focused preparation; take a full-length practice test under timed conditions to choose between SAT and ACT; and make sure you also meet English language requirements (TOEFL/IELTS) if required by the target school. Shatnawi for College Admissions & Academic Consultations offers test preparation services for SAT and IELTS, career assessment, and admissions counseling to help prioritize test schedules and application timing. If you plan to apply abroad, remember document equivalency and administrative steps — Shatnawi provides a document equivalency service (service fee 70 JOD) and can guide you through credential submission.
Students weighing alternatives to Ivy applications should note that reputable, more accessible pathways remain. For medical and dental degrees, Georgia (Batumi and Tbilisi) continues to offer WHO- and EU-recognized English programs with tuition starting from around $4,000/year. Turkey (Gelişim University), UK, Germany, Hungary, Malaysia, and Serbia are also viable destinations. For students preferring to study in Jordan, Shatnawi’s partner discounts apply: Applied Science Private University (ASU) — 10% registration discount, University of Jordan (UJ) — 20% discount, and Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST) — 25% discount for students applying through Shatnawi.
Finally, prepare for fluctuating policy environments: some systems are reconsidering reintroducing tests (for example, the UC Board of Regents has pushed for recommendations on SAT/ACT), so stay updated. If you need help deciding whether to invest time in SAT/ACT preparation or pursue alternative routes (Georgia medicine, regional universities, or European programs), Shatnawi can assess your profile and match you to the best options. For guidance and booking a counseling session, contact Shatnawi via WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com.