Minnesota's selective colleges see surge in applications after waiving standardized test requirements With ACT and SAT scores waived, applications at selective schools surge April 24, 2021 — 3:49pm Text size Copy shortlink: Kalid Ali always dreamed of getting a degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, but an average ACT score had sunk his hopes of getting into the selective institution. Then the COVID-19 pandemic took hold last spring. Standardized tests became nearly impossible to schedule and colleges nationwide chose to waive ACT and SAT score requirements. That gave Ali, a senior at Como Park Senior High School in St. Paul, an opportunity to highlight his good grades and involvement with the school board, student organizations and sports teams instead.