Colleges in the United States that accept undergraduate applicants with standardized test scores around 300 typically fall into two categories: test-optional institutions and schools with flexible scoring policies. Test-optional colleges allow students to submit scores or not, prioritizing factors like GPA, essays, and extracurriculars. For example, over 1,400 U.S. colleges have gone test-optional since 2023, including public universities like University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and private schools like Pomona College. These institutions often admit students with scores below 300 SAT or 15 ACT but strong academic records.

The shift toward test-optional policies stems from equity concerns and the recognition that standardized tests do not fully predict college success. Data from the College Board shows that 30% of 2023 applicants submitted scores below 1300 SAT (equivalent to 300 on the old 1600 scale) or 20 ACT, yet 70% were admitted. Schools like University of Texas at Austin reported a 15% increase in low-scored applicants without test submission. Research from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates that test-optional policies expanded access to underrepresented groups, with low-income and first-generation students applying at 25% higher rates. Additionally, institutions like University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found no significant difference in graduation rates between test submitting and nonsubmitting students. These trends reflect a broader move toward holistic admissions, reducing barriers for students with lower standardized scores while maintaining academic rigor.