Some prospective students believe that colleges that don’t require teacher recommendations are hard to find. You can’t blame students for feeling this way because it appears submitting recommendation letters is a traditional requirement for most universities. Despite a teacher recommendation letter not being part of the basic admission requirements, a lot of students are in a dilemma about whether to submit it or not.
Interestingly, there are colleges that don’t require teacher recommendations. We have prepared this guide to help you find the best colleges that don’t require teacher recommendations. You’ll also learn whether or not you need to submit it to admissions officers for your application process.
What Is a Teacher Recommendation and Why Is It Normally Required?
A teacher recommendation is a teacher’s evaluation of your educational background and personal features. Usually, their evaluation is based on the attributes you demonstrate in and outside the classroom. It’s customary for most high-ranking universities to request a teacher recommendation.
Teacher recommendations give colleges an idea of what to expect from their prospective students. However, the importance of a teacher’s recommendation letter varies depending on the school. While some schools maintain the tradition of weighing teacher recommendations, others have omitted the requirement for various reasons.
Is It Easy to Find Universities That Don’t Require Teacher Recommendations?
Yes, it’s easy to find universities that don’t require teacher recommendation. Since teacher recommendations have already been removed from many universities’ admission criteria, you should be able to find numerous schools that don’t require it. Regardless of whether you’re looking for an in-person or online college, there are plenty of excellent schools that don’t require this step.
How to Get Into a College That Doesn’t Require Teacher Recommendations?
Aside from a teacher’s recommendation letter, there are other requirements that universities look for. Below are some of the most common requirements for admission into colleges that don’t require teacher recommendations
- Satisfactory GPA
- Personal Essay
- Application Fee
- High School Transcript
- ACT or SAT score
Which Schools Don’t Require Teacher Recommendations for College Admissions?
| School | US News National Rankings 2022 | Other Admissions Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | 55 | ACT or SAT score, a minimum GPA score |
| Clemson University | 75 | Application fee, ACT or SAT scores, academic record |
| Arizona State University | 117 | Letters of recommendation, ACT or SAT score, application fee, high school transcript |
| DePaul University | 127 | SAT or ACT score, high school transcripts, application fee |
| Ohio University | 179 | Application fee, SAT or ACT score, official academic transcripts |
| Delaware State University | 263 | Minimum of 3.25 GPA, SAT or ACT score, letters of recommendations, essay, extracurricular activities |
| Cleveland State University | 299-391 | Academic transcripts, non-refundable application fee |
| Grand Canyon University | 299-391 | ACT or SAT score, 2.5 GPA or higher, essay (depending on the program of study) |
| Idaho State University | 299-391 | Application fee, high school transcript or GED, 2.5 GPA or higher |
| Liberty University | 299-391 | Application fee, essay, high school transcripts, SAT scores |
Best Colleges That Don’t Require Teacher Recommendations
There are various reasons why students may not want their teachers to write recommendation letters. In these cases, choosing a college or university that doesn’t require this admission step is vital. Each school will have a different admissions process with minimum requirements. Below are some of the schools you should consider.
Florida State University
Florida State University (FSU) is an accredited school. Some entry requirements include standardized test scores and a self-reported academic record. It also values students who are engaged in their communities, so if you have experience in this area, be sure to include it on your application. FSU is an accredited school, ranking in 55th place among all national universities.
Clemson University
The Clemson University application process doesn’t require applicants to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or employer. However, you will need to submit your transcript and ACT and SAT scores. Clemson University is accredited and ranks in 75th place among all national universities.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) doesn’t require applicants to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher. To get into ASU, you will need to have been in the top 25th percentile of your high school graduating class with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must have a minimum SAT score of 1120 and an ACT score of 22. Nonresident students will need an SAT score of 1180 and an ACT score of 24.
DePaul University
DePaul University is a prestigious institution with a national ranking of 127. DePaul admits new students without requesting teacher recommendations. The requirements to get into the school are SAT or ACT scores and high school transcripts. Applicants who want to get into this college must submit these requirements before the application deadline.
Ohio University
Freshman students applying to Ohio University must pay an application fee of $50. You need to submit official academic transcripts through your high school counselor. Moreover, an SAT or ACT score is part of the requirements. Your average SAT score should be 1050 to 1230 while ACT should be 21 to 26.
Online Colleges That Don’t Require Teacher Recommendations
If you’re interested in online schooling, you can find several online colleges that don’t require teacher recommendations too. The colleges outlined below don’t require teacher recommendations and boast affordable tuition rates depending on your program of study.
Delaware State University
Delaware State University admission requirements include possessing a high school diploma, having a minimum 2.0 GPA, and paying the application fee. DSU is a public university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Cleveland State University
Prospective students at Cleveland State University (CSU) must submit an official transcript from their high school with a GPA minimum of 2.3. International students must submit SAT or ACT scores. CSU is a public school accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Also, it has an urban setting and offers a wide range of online programs.
Grand Canyon University
At Grand Canyon University (GSU), applicants with a high school GPA of 3.0 don’t need to submit ACT or SAT scores. However, if your high school GPA is below that, then you need to submit either of those scores. GCU has been around since 1949 and accepts 73 percent of applicants.
Idaho State University
A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to get admitted into Idaho State University. Additional requirements to get admitted into this public university are an application fee of $50 and a high school transcript or GED. Students that graduated from Idaho high school don’t have to pay the application fee and have more affordable tuition rates.
Liberty University
Freshmen of Liberty University must submit high school transcripts, SAT scores, and an essay.
Its college application process allows online submissions. Each academic program may have extra requirements, in addition to the general criteria. Liberty University is situated in central Virginia and offers degree programs in a variety of fields.
Should You Still Submit Teacher Recommendations Even if It Is Not Required?
Yes, you should still submit teacher recommendations if you know that it will enhance your application. If you aren’t sure that your teachers would be willing to write a positive recommendation, you should skip this step. Keep in mind that your chances of getting into a school that doesn’t mention the need for teacher recommendations should be just as good without them.
Submit a Teacher Recommendation if
- It enhances your application
- It’ll help the admission officers understand exceptional circumstances
- It’s required
Don’t Submit a Teacher Recommendation if
- You aren’t sure your teachers will submit positive recommendations
- It’s not required
- It wouldn’t lower your chances of getting admitted
Should I Attend a College That Doesn’t Require Teacher Recommendations?
Yes, you should attend a college that doesn’t require teacher recommendations if you aren’t sure that your teachers’ recommendations will be positive or help increase your chances of admission. The education system has evolved quite significantly in the last couple of decades. Many admissions teams are well aware that teachers’ opinions of their students aren’t always accurate for various reasons.
As a result, many institutions have removed this requirement for admission. With that said, if you have teachers who you know will put in a good word for you, it may increase your likelihood of getting admitted. In addition, having teacher recommendations allows you to apply to schools that do require this step for admission.
Colleges That Don’t Require Teacher Recommendations FAQ
If you don’t have anyone to write a recommendation for you, you can either apply to a college that doesn’t require recommendation letters or you can take classes at a community college, as they usually have open enrollment policies. Through this method, you can build good relationships with your teachers and eventually ask them to write recommendations for you.
The best person you should ask for a letter of recommendation is your teacher, employer, or an expert in the field who knows you. Most application processes prefer your school guidance counselor or teacher. Sometimes, they make room for additional letters from friends or former employees to learn about your character outside the classroom.
No, you can’t ask your friend to write a recommendation for your graduate school program. This is because your friend will not be objective, nor will they have the professional or academic authority that most universities seek in recommendations.
No, a recommendation is not compulsory to get into a university. For instance, institutions like Ohio University, Idaho State University, and Liberty University don’t require teacher recommendations for admission. However, for some universities, recommendations are a mandatory step in the application process.
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