In a groundbreaking move, Wake Forest University will no longer require applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores for admission, school officials will announce today.

Wake Forest will become the only top-30 national university in the U.S. News & World Report ranking to make the standardized tests optional. The policy change takes effect with the freshman class starting in 2009.

University officials say they changed their policy after reviewing extensive research that shows the tests favor wealthy students and aren't the best predictors of college success.

"We think it's the fair and right thing for us to do," said Martha Allman, admissions director. "We're concerned that the SAT is a barrier to some students we very much want to bring to Wake Forest University."

Students can still choose to submit their test scores for consideration, and Allman expects many to do so. But admissions decisions will be based on high school curriculum and grades, combined with written essays, extracurricular activities and evidence of character and talent.

The university will encourage students to interview with admissions staff, by face-to-face meeting or using a computer.

In education circles, the debate has long simmered about the value of the SAT -- a key factor used by elite universities to weed out applicants. Studies have shown that standardized tests tend to have built-in racial and socioeconomic biases.