Fordham University is test optional. You can apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores, and choosing not to submit them will not disqualify you from merit scholarships or the Honors Program. This applies to all undergraduate applicants.
What Test Optional Means at Fordham
When Fordham says test optional, it means exactly that: submitting standardized test scores is your choice. If you have scores you’re proud of, you can include them. If you don’t submit scores, the admissions office evaluates your application based on everything else you provide. The university states explicitly that no single element of your application is looked at in isolation.
One common worry with test-optional policies is that skipping scores will quietly hurt your chances for financial aid. That’s not the case here. Fordham does not require test scores to be considered for merit scholarships or its honors programs, so leaving them off won’t shrink your award or lock you out of competitive opportunities.
How Fordham Evaluates Applications Without Scores
Fordham uses what it calls a holistic admission process, meaning the office weighs your full profile rather than filtering by any single metric. When scores aren’t part of your file, other components carry more weight. The admissions team focuses on a few broad areas.
Academic preparation is the starting point. Your high school transcript, course rigor, and grades give the clearest picture of whether you’re ready for Fordham’s coursework. Admissions readers also reference your school’s profile and counselor context, so they understand what AP, IB, or honors options were actually available to you.
Personal qualities matter alongside academics. Fordham specifically names integrity, perseverance, and leadership as traits it looks for. The university draws on its Jesuit identity here, using the concept of “cura personalis” (care for the whole person) to frame how it reads applications. In practical terms, that means your essays, recommendations, and activity list all factor into the decision.
Community engagement gets particular attention. The admissions page asks whether you volunteer, hold a part-time job to help with family expenses, take on caregiving responsibilities at home, or participate in causes related to social justice, the environment, or economic inequality. These aren’t checkboxes you need to hit, but they signal that Fordham values how you spend your time outside the classroom, not just your resume of extracurriculars.
Score Ranges for Students Who Do Submit
If you’re trying to decide whether your scores would help your application, the middle 50% range for admitted students who chose to submit gives useful context. Half of admitted Fordham students who submitted scores had an SAT between 1320 and 1480 or an ACT between 30 and 33. That means 25% of score-submitting admits fell below those ranges and 25% scored above them.
Keep in mind this data only reflects students who opted to send scores, so it skews higher than the full admitted class. If your scores fall within or above that range, submitting them adds another strong data point. If your scores fall well below, you’re likely better off letting your transcript and the rest of your application speak for themselves.
When to Submit and When to Skip
A simple rule of thumb: if your SAT or ACT score is at or above the middle 50% range for Fordham admits (roughly 1320+ SAT or 30+ ACT), sending it reinforces your academic profile. If your score is significantly below those benchmarks but your GPA and course rigor are strong, going test optional lets your transcript carry the narrative without a contradicting data point.
There’s no penalty for withholding scores, and Fordham’s own language makes clear that the admissions team is built to evaluate applications without them. If you’re on the fence, consider whether the score adds something your transcript doesn’t already show. A high score paired with a lower GPA can demonstrate academic ability, while a strong transcript paired with a mediocre test day doesn’t need the extra number attached.