Understanding College
Admissions
by R.Lewis @September 23, 2003
Getting Started
Let's begin with - "I am going to college." (Get info on choosing a career on the Careers Page ).
Once you have decided on a profession and the choice to attend an Institution of Higher Learning, - you need to decide - "where to go to college". (See Choosing a School on the Planning Page.)
Once you have made that choice ( area of study and school ) you need to apply for admissions at the school of your choice. This can be done at any time during the senior year. Some schools encourage early admissions.
Admissions Requirements
Every school has specific requirements that a student must meet before being accepted.
All schools require a student to at least "take" one of the College Entrance Exams (the ACT or the SAT - see the Testing Recommendations page). Some schools have specific requirements in regards to your scores on these tests (see Montana University Math Proficiencies below).
Schools may have other requirements. It is up to the student / parent to contact the school of their choice and find out what the specific requirements are. Your school counselor can also help.
Graduation Requirements vs Admissions Requirements
Students who graduate from high school do not always have the needed "admissions" requirements to go to a certain college or university. Graduation requirements only affect the student's ability to graduate from their high school. Admissions requirements are the things a student needs to go to that college / university. They are different requirements!
The biggest example for most Montana High school graduates comes in the area of Science. In the state of Montana, most schools (including Colstrip High School) require only two years of study in Science (two credits). The student takes two credits of science (along with their other graduation requirements) and they receive their diploma.
At times however, these students will not qualify to attend some colleges. In our area, many universities in North Dakota have admissions requirements that require three years of study in Science in order to be admitted. The student then must attend a community college, or some other institution to pick up the needed science credit before being able to attend the school of their choice (if they do not receive three credits of science in high school).
Montana University Math Proficiencies
In the state of Montana, the Montana University System (which includes any public four year college / university) has recently "raised the bar" on their math requirements for admissions. Students are required to take math through the level of Algebra II - which is Math V at Colstrip High School. This requirement has actually been in effect, but has had a "loophole" to get around the requirement. (see Exemptions Requirements below).
The University system also requires a minimum score of 16 on the math section of the A.C.T. That score is the requirement for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 school years. The minimum score required during the 2006-2007 school year will be 17, and will rise in the 2007-2008 school year to a minimum score of 18!
Exemption to the Admissions Requirements
In the past, the University system has allowed a certain number of students to be admitted who do not meet all of the admissions requirements. Last year a school could exempt as many as 15% of all new students under this rule. Students who were admitted, and had not completed Math 5, would take a placement test at their school, and then take lower level math classes to meet the admissions standards.
These exemptions are also being reduced, and by the 2007 school year, will probably no longer exist. The University system is trying to reduce its budget because of fiscal problems, and lower level classes will be the first to be cut. The Universities feel that they should not have to offer classes to students that can be taken in high school.
Recommendations
The Counseling Center has, and continues, to make the following recommendations to high school students who may want to attend a College of University after high school;
English - 4 credits (required by most high schools for graduation).
Math - 4 credits through the level of (Algebra II) or Math V (most high schools require 3 credits)
Science - 3 credits (most high schools require 2 credits)
Foreign Language - at least one year (a few colleges do require two years in the same language). most high schools do not require a foreign language for graduation).
Summary
1. Please remember, each post-secondary institution is different, with different standards and different exemptions. It is up to the student / parent to know the admissions requirements (the School Counselor can help). Students should explore several different colleges / universities to see which would be best. Contact the college / university to know the requirements.
2. Take the extra credits of science, math, and foreign language - don't take a chance of not meeting the admissions requirements.
3. Apply early - Take advantage of the "early admissions" programs that most schools have. By doing this you know in advance if you will be admitted to the school of your choice, and have more opportunities to receive more financial aid.
4. If you have questions - ask your high school counselor!
For more information on admissions requirements, got to;
http://www.mus.montana.edu/mathproficiency/index.htm or
http://www.montana.edu/mus/writingproficiency/index.htm