Giants in Our Footsteps A February 17 New York Times story reported that the University of California system, one of this country's largest and most prestigious public higher education systems, is considering making submission of SAT scores optional for applicants. The article notes that this possible action comes on the heels of Òsimilar moves in recent years by smaller schools, including Bates, Bowdoin, and Mount Holyoke.Ó Applicants for entrance this fall were the first in Mount Holyoke's history to have the option of not submitting SAT scores as part of the application process. The Times story has been picked up by newspapers across the country.