ADMISSION

Coe College students are motivated individuals who come from widely diverse
geographic regions, economic backgrounds, and religious faiths, and who possess a variety of academic and extracurricular talents, abilities, and interests. When considering students for admission, Coe seeks to admit students who will contribute to, and benefit from, the academic and co curricular program. Applicants who have demonstrated strong academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, extracurricular participation, and community involvement are selected for admission.

FIRST YEAR APPLICANTS

Academic Record

Coe is a selective, private, nationally recognized liberal arts college whose applicants are evaluated through a competitive admission process. The Office of Admission looks at a number of factors including the high school academic record, class rank, standardized test scores, essay, and involvement in high school or community activities.

For regular admission, a student’s minimum academic profile is expected to be at or above a 3.00 GPA (4 point scale), 20 ACT (1000 combined SAT), and within the top 40% of his or her graduating class. A student’s academic transcript should reflect a college preparatory curriculum with sufficient
breadth to enable the student’s adjustment to a rigorous college liberal arts program. Four years of English; three years of mathematics, science, and history; and two years of foreign language are recommended for all students.

This academic profile is a general guideline, and students who have a lower grade point average, standardized test score, or class rank may be requested to provide additional information (seventh term grades, personal statement, personal interview, etc.) for the evaluation process. Coe recognizes that many factors or circumstances may have affected a student’s high school performance and students who do not meet our regular admission standards are evaluated more thoroughly by the Admission Committee. Supporting recommendations may be provided by high school guidance counselors, teachers, and administrators. Some students may be accepted on probation or with conditions which must be satisfied by the student upon enrolling at the College.

Standardized Test Scores

The results of entrance examinations are considered as part of the student’s overall achievement record. Median SAT scores at Coe are in the mid to high 500s for both the verbal and mathematical sections. Similarly, the median ACT composite score is 25. It is not implied that test scores lower than the median would prevent admission to Coe; however, greater emphasis is placed on other factors in such a case.

METHODS OF APPLICATION

Coe provides students with two application options and deadlines:

EARLY ACTION: Students who wish to learn of an admission decision before the regular admission deadline may apply under the non-binding Early Action Plan. Students may apply at any time during the first term of their senior year. A completed application must be postmarked no later than December 10 to be considered for Early Action. Applicants are notified by January 20 or as soon as possible after their file is complete. All accepted applicants must submit a $200 nonrefundable enrollment deposit by May 1 to reserve a place in the fall class.

REGULAR DECISION: Students applying under the Regular Decision Plan should have a completed application postmarked by March 1. Applicants are notified on or before March 15 or as soon as possible after their file is complete. All accepted applicants must submit a nonrefundable $200 enrollment deposit by May 1 to reserve a place in the fall class.

Before an admission decision can be made, the Admission Office must have received from each candidate: 1) a completed application for admission; 2) the results of either the SAT or ACT examination; 3) a high school transcript; 4) an essay; and 5) a supporting recommendation from a high school counselor or teacher. First-year candidates for admission may select either Coe’s application or the Common Application. All necessary application forms, as well as instructions for applying, may be obtained from the Coe Admission Office or on our website at www.coe.edu/admission.

Admission of high school seniors is contingent upon their maintaining a satisfactory record and completing high school graduation requirements. Final high school transcripts must be submitted to Coe College upon completion of the requirements for a high school diploma. The College reserves the right to withdraw its offer of admission, and refund the $200 enrollment deposit when
information received after the admission decision indicates the student will not benefit from or contribute to the Coe community.

Following admission, but prior to enrollment, students are required to receive a physical examination from a health professional and to file a health report. The appropriate form is furnished by the College.

TRANSFER APPLICANTS

Each year Coe welcomes a significant number of transfer and non-traditional students to the College. Successful candidates for admission will be those students who have been or are in satisfactory academic standing at their former college or university.

Admission notification is on a rolling basis. Once Coe receives a completed application for admission, including official transcripts from their high school and all colleges/universities previously attended, students are notified of their admission status. (Further information in Evaluation of Credits in Transfer, page 29.)

New students may enroll at the College at the beginning of the Fall term or Spring term. (Consult the calendar on pages 4-5 of the catalog to determine which term is most appropriate for your educational plans.)

INTERVIEWS AND VISITING THE CAMPUS

Candidates and their parents are always welcome at Coe. A campus interview is highly recommended, although not required, to support a candidate’s application for admission. opportunity to determine if Coe is the best college for the candidate’s particular needs, goals, and interests. Students desiring an interview at the Admission Office should write, call (1-877-CALL-COE), fax (319-399-8816), or e-mail (admission@coe.edu) at least one week in advance requesting a specific hour for an appointment. Appointments are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, throughout the year; and between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on Saturdays from September through April.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Students from other countries are encouraged to apply to Coe College. Applications should include the following information: 1) completed application with essay; 2) official certified translated copy of all secondary school work; 3) certified copy of all national exam results; 4) results from TOEFL (if English is not first language) and SAT exams; 5) letter of recommendation from a school official; and 6) completed financial documents (Declaration of Finances and certified bank statement). An intensive English as a Second Language Program is available for secondary school graduates with TOEFL scores between 300-500. Coe has a full-time International Student Advisor, and the International Student Office provides special orientation sessions for new students as well as ongoing assistance with U.S. immigration rules and regulations.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

The College Board Achievement and Advanced Placement Tests are not required for admission to Coe. However, excellent preparation in English, in a foreign language, or in another field is recognized by allowing students to begin their college work at a level representative of their attainment. Students taking these examinations should have the results sent to Coe, as they can be helpful in arranging academic programs. Granting of advanced standing and/or academic credit for college-level work in secondary schools is a departmental function dependent upon the results of the College Board Advanced Placement Tests. Credit for up to four comparable Coe courses, as well as advanced standing, will be granted to students who receive scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement Tests offered by the College Board. No college grade is assigned when credit is granted on the basis of Advanced Placement Tests. Students who believe their pre-college work may have prepared them for advanced placement with or without credit are urged to call this to the attention of the College so that their achievements may be evaluated.

CLEP

Students may earn academic credit at Coe by successfully passing Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Credit may be earned in 30 different fields. In most instances, both objective and essay portions of the exam must be passed to earn credit. Criteria for passing objective examinations in each field are determined by the appropriate academic department, which is also responsible for the evaluation of the essay portion of the examination. CLEP examinations may be used to validate a prerequisite for a course at Coe. Credit for such validation may be granted upon passing the CLEP examination prior to completing the course in question and upon the recommendation of the relevant academic department. Students may earn up to four course credits through CLEP. Students who plan to take CLEP examinations are urged to confer with their academic advisor. Further information regarding the courses which may be taken for CLEP credit and general information regarding tests may be obtained in the Registrar’s Office.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

Coe College grants placement and credit for the higher level examinations of the IB in which the student scores six or more. The granting of credit for IB work is parallel to the granting of credit for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP); that is, four course credits are accepted at most.

POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT

Early admission procedures are available for mature, high-ability students wishing to enroll secondary school course of study. These students should follow the regular application process and have strong recommendations both the secondary school principal and counselor.

DEFERRED ADMISSION

The deferred admission procedure is available for students wishing to defer their date of enrollment after being formally accepted to Coe College. These students should follow the regular application process indicating the month and date in which they wish to enroll.

Please Note: The College reserves the right to change admission procedures for any given year. All changes will be communicated directly to prospective students, parents, and counselors for that specific year.