Does Clark Atlanta University Require the SAT? Atlanta Students’ Guide

If you live in Atlanta or are thinking about moving here for college, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is probably on your radar. It’s one of the city’s most well-known HBCUs, located right in the Atlanta University Center near downtown. A common question Atlanta students and families ask is: “Does Clark Atlanta require the SAT?”

Quick Answer: Is the SAT Required for Clark Atlanta?

Clark Atlanta University has adopted test-optional policies in recent years, which means that for many application cycles, submitting SAT or ACT scores has not been required for most undergraduate applicants.

However, admissions policies can change from year to year. For students in Atlanta planning ahead, you should think of CAU as:

• Primarily test-optional in recent admission cycles
• Still willing to review SAT/ACT scores if you choose to submit them
• Possibly requiring scores for specific programs, scholarships, or placement, depending on the year and your academic background

Because these details can shift, Atlanta students should always check the current Clark Atlanta Office of Admissions requirements before applying.

How “Test-Optional” Works at Clark Atlanta

If you’re an Atlanta high school student (whether you attend APS, DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, Clayton, or a local private school), here’s what test-optional typically means at a school like Clark Atlanta:

• You can apply without SAT or ACT scores for general undergraduate admission, if the test-optional policy is in effect for your entry term.
• The admissions team will focus more on:
  • Your high school GPA
  • Rigor of your coursework (AP, IB, dual enrollment, honors)
  • Personal essay or statement
  • Letters of recommendation, if required
  • Your extracurricular activities and community involvement

For many Atlanta-based applicants, this can be a relief if standardized testing has been a barrier—whether due to test anxiety, limited access to testing centers, or schedule conflicts.

When Submitting SAT Scores to Clark Atlanta Might Still Help

Even if CAU does not require the SAT for a given year, Atlanta students may still benefit from sending scores in some situations:

• Your SAT score is stronger than your GPA.
  If your grades dipped earlier in high school but you improved later and have a solid SAT score, sending it may help show your academic potential.

• You’re applying from a highly competitive Atlanta high school.
  Students from rigorous schools like some in North Atlanta, Midtown, or the suburbs may find that a good SAT score helps distinguish them in a strong applicant pool.

• You’re seeking certain scholarships.
  Some merit-based scholarships may still consider SAT or ACT scores as part of their criteria, even if general admission is test-optional.

• You’re homeschooled or have a nontraditional transcript.
  In some cases, standardized test scores help provide extra context when your school record is unique or less standardized.

If you’re uncertain, Atlanta students can contact Clark Atlanta’s Office of Admissions and ask whether scores are recommended for your situation.

Typical Application Materials for Clark Atlanta (Atlanta Context)

While exact requirements can change, applicants from Atlanta can usually expect CAU to look for:

• Completed online application (through a common application platform or CAU’s own)
• Official high school transcript
• Personal statement or essay
• Application fee or fee waiver
• Optional SAT or ACT scores (depending on current policy)
• Possible recommendation letters, especially for specific programs or scholarships

Quick Reference: SAT Requirement at Clark Atlanta

This table is a general guide; always confirm with the university for the year you plan to enroll.

What Atlanta Students Should Do if the SAT Is Optional

If you’re studying in the Atlanta metro area, here’s how to approach CAU’s test-optional setup:

1. Check the Policy for Your Graduation Year

📝 Action step:
Before you spend money or time on extra testing, go to Clark Atlanta’s official channels or call Admissions to confirm:

• Whether your intended entry term is test-optional
• Whether your major or program has any special test requirements
• How SAT scores affect merit scholarship consideration that year

2. Compare Your SAT Potential With Your GPA

If your GPA is strong (especially above the typical range of admitted students in your counseling office’s data) and you don’t test well, you might choose not to submit scores if test-optional is offered.

If your GPA is average but you know you can test well, it may be worth taking the SAT at a local Atlanta test center and sending the score.

3. Plan Around Atlanta Test Centers and Transportation

Living in the Atlanta area gives you multiple SAT test locations, often at:

• Atlanta Public Schools high schools
• Nearby suburban high schools in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, and Gwinnett

Consider:

• How you’ll get to the testing site (MARTA, car, rideshare)
• Whether you’re comfortable with morning travel on test day, especially with Atlanta traffic

Where to Take or Prep for the SAT in Atlanta

Even if Clark Atlanta doesn’t require the SAT, many Atlanta students still take it to keep options open for other colleges or scholarships.

SAT Testing in the Atlanta Area

The SAT is typically offered at multiple high schools across the metro Atlanta region. Registration and exact locations are handled through the national testing organization, but Atlanta students commonly test at:

• Large public high schools across APS, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Clayton Counties
• Some private schools within the city

Check availability early—Atlanta test centers can fill up quickly, especially in peak months.

Local SAT Prep Resources (Non-Promotional)

You can find support in and around Atlanta through:

• School-based prep:
  Some Atlanta high schools offer after-school SAT prep or summer programs.

• Public libraries:
  Libraries such as the Fulton County Library System and Atlanta-Fulton Public Library branches may provide:

  • Test prep books
  • Quiet study spaces
  • Occasional free prep workshops

• Community organizations & youth programs:
  Various Atlanta-based nonprofits and community centers sometimes run college readiness or test prep sessions for high school students, especially in neighborhoods close to CAU and the Westside.

How SAT Scores Fit Into the Bigger Picture at Clark Atlanta

For Atlanta students, it’s helpful to see the SAT as just one piece of a larger admissions puzzle:

• Location helps.
  Being in Atlanta means you’re geographically close to CAU, which can make:

  • Campus visits easier
  • In-person events and info sessions more accessible
  • Building relationships with admissions staff more realistic

• Holistic review is important.
  Clark Atlanta usually considers:

  • Your academic record over four years, not just test scores
  • Leadership and community involvement (clubs, sports, jobs, church involvement, volunteering, etc.)
  • Your personal story, goals, and fit with Clark Atlanta’s mission

In other words, strong Atlanta-based involvement—like supporting family, holding a job, or contributing to local organizations—can matter just as much as test scores.

Contacting Clark Atlanta From Within Atlanta

If you’re in the city and want direct, up-to-date information on whether SAT scores are required for your application year, you can reach:

Clark Atlanta University – Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Typically located on the main CAU campus in the Atlanta University Center, just west of downtown Atlanta.

You can:

• Call during business hours to ask:
  • Whether SAT/ACT scores are required for your term
  • How scores factor into scholarships
  • Whether specific programs (like STEM or honors) still prefer or require test scores

Being local to Atlanta also makes it easy to:

• Attend on-campus information sessions
• Visit during open house or preview days
• Talk with admissions counselors in person about your academic background and whether sending SAT scores would help.

In summary: Clark Atlanta University has generally been test-optional in recent years, which means most Atlanta students do not have to submit SAT scores to be considered for admission. However, scores can still be useful or recommended in certain cases, and requirements can change—so Atlanta applicants should always confirm the current policy directly with CAU before making a final decision about the SAT.