Admission Office

The Admission Office is responsible for managing the admission process for current and prospective students. Admission is granted on a selective basis. The admission committee, consisting of college administrators, faculty, and staff strives to admit students who show promise of success at the college. In its selection process, the admission committee may review past academic performance, participation in school and community activities, recommendations, writing samples and standardized test scores. The college does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, color, national origin, or sexual orientation in administration of its admission and financial aid policies.

To learn more about how to apply for admission, please visit our online portal for prospective C of I students, VIP.

Admission Categories

Regular Admission

Freshmen applicants who have graduated from high school, presented acceptable GED scores in lieu of a high school record, or met the college's home school policy (see section on home school applicants), and transfer applicants whose college record is of sufficient quality, may be admitted to the college in clear standing.

Conditional Admission

Students whose academic records suggest they would benefit from a reduced course load, participation in the college's study skills program, or enrollment in specified course work may be admitted on a conditional basis.

Probationary Admission

Students not meeting the minimum standard for regular or conditional admission may be admitted to the college on a probational basis. If admitted on a probational basis, the student will be immediately placed on academic probation (see section on academic standing). Applicants so admitted may enroll for only 12 to13 units of credit during the fall and spring and 5 units of credit during the winter term without receiving the permission of the college's Curriculum Council petition committee. Students admitted on probation may not represent the college in intercollegiate athletics or receive institutional financial aid.

Boone Fellows Program

Our selective admissions program looks at grades, test scores, and a host of other quantitative measures. Admission to The College of Idaho is an honour accorded to a select frew. In many years of experience, though, we have come to learn that scores and grades, while valuable, do not fully measure human potential. The Boone Fellows program is a distinct admission program that looks at those measures, but also includes a wide range of personal qualities.

Benefits of the Boone Fellows Program

Should you be admitted into the Boone Fellows program, the planning of your first two terms will be highly individualized.

  • You will meet with your faculty advisor to consider your individual strengths and weaknesses, and build a program designed to help you succeed at The College of Idaho.

  • Housing, extracurricular clubs, social life, study time, and all those things that make college extraordinary will be the same for you as for other students.

  • The only noticeable aspects of this program is that you may take a limited course load (usually 8 - 9 credit hours) and you will not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics in your first two terms (Fall and Winter).

  • As a part-time student, your credits will be charged at one-half the regular credit price. You will also be eligible for need-based federal aid on a pro-rated basis.

Freshman

Students may begin the application process any time after the first semester of their junior year in high school. In order to be considered for admission, students should submit the following materials to the Admission Office, The College of Idaho, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho 83605:

  • An application for admission.
  • An official high school transcript that includes all work from the 9th grade to the date of application (see note on official transcripts below). Upon graduation, a final transcript must be submitted. GED scores may be presented in lieu of an official high school record provided the average score is 500 with no sub-score below 450.
  • A transcript of any college work attempted.
    Note on official transcripts: Transcripts are official only when mailed directly or delivered in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution to the Admission Office.
  • If you are considered for the Boone Program, you will need an on-campus interview with the Dean of Students and Director of Admission.
  • Official ACT or SAT test scores.*

*We will accept ACT/SAT test scores as official if they are printed on the high school transcript, sent directly from ACT/SAT to the school in electronic, disk, or paper form; or if the ACT/SAT paper scores are faxed directly from the high school to the college. Scores printed off the Internet are not official scores and will not be used to award financial aid. Special allowances may be made for international students.

In addition, a one to two page essay/personal statement and a teacher/guidance counselor evaluation is required.

Students who have graduated from high school two years prior to their anticipated date of enrollment and do not have ACT or SAT scores should consult with an admission counselor about test score and counselor and teacher evaluation requirements.

In addition, a personal interview and campus visit are recommended.

While there is no required pattern of high school study necessary for admission, the following combination is strongly recommended:

  • English -- 4 years
  • Language -- 3 years
  • History and Social Science -- 4 years
  • Laboratory Science -- 3 years
  • Mathematics -- 4 years

NOTE: Students are required to disclose and include in their applications for admission official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Should a student fail to include official transcripts, that student will not be allowed to register for any semester beyond the first semester of attendance until official transcripts have been received by the College. Should a student fail to disclose attendance at another post-secondary institution and it is later brought to the attention of the College, that student's credits will be accepted according to established procedures, but the circumstances of the failure of disclosure on the application will be investigated by the VPAA as an Honor Code violation. Should there be any evidence of deception or material gain, appropriate sanctions will be imposed. Should there not be any such evidence, the student will receive a letter of reprimand for the Honor Code violation. Exceptions to this policy for International students may be appropriate as determined by the Director of Admission.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for the Presidential Priority application program is July 15. Applications completed by October 1 will be notified of the admission committee's decision beginning in October and will receive scholarship and financial aid information in advance of other applicant groups.

Our Early Action deadline is November 15. Applicants admitted by Early Action will be informed by mid-December and will qualify for early consideration of scholarships and financial aid.

The deadline for Priority Consideration is February 15. Applications received by this date will be given priority in the regular admission and financial aid process. Notification is rolling and based on availability.

Admitted students responding with their tuition deposit/matriculation fee of $300 on or before May 1 are guaranteed a place in the class.

The final application deadline for freshman applications is July 15. Any applications submitted after this date will be considered by petition only. Financial aid is awarded only after acceptance.

Transfer Students

Students who have already completed at least 28 semester credits or 42 quarter credits of continuous enrollment at accredited colleges or universities will be considered for admission on the basis of that academic record (rather than the secondary school record) provided they have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Students who have completed fewer than 28 semester or 42 quarter credits should apply as freshman applicants, but may be granted advanced credit for that work.

Transfer applicants should submit items listed in numbers 1 and 2 in the Freshman Applicants section of the Admission chapter, as well as official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. A one to two page essay/personal statement and faculty evaluation is required. The transfer application deadline is August 1. Any applications submitted after this date will be considered by petition only.

PEAK for Transfer Students

The College of Idaho accepts up to 70 semester credits of transfer work from community colleges. There is always a challenge, however, in transforming the credits transferred to the College into a coherent Liberal Arts course of study on the PEAK model. As far as possible, students, in concert with their advisors, are expected to shape their course of study according to the expectations of the PEAK curriculum.

  • Students who transfer to the College with Junior standing (60 to 89 semester credits) will be required to complete a major and one PEAK minor, with additional Liberal Arts experience planned in collaboration with the advisor.
  • Students who transfer to the College with Sophomore standing (28 to 59 semester credits) will be required to complete a major and two PEAK minors, with additional Liberal Arts experience planned in collaboration with the advisor.
  • Students who transfer to the College with fewer than 28 credits are expected to complete the full PEAK curriculum.

College Transcripts

A student who applies for admission must submit, upon application, official transcripts of all college work attempted elsewhere. A student who takes undergraduate work elsewhere must have an official transcript of that work sent to The College of Idaho registrar upon its completion. Intentional failure to do so will constitute falsification of record and will be sufficient grounds for dismissal from the college.

Credits earned at accredited colleges or universities will be evaluated by the registrar and credit will be given in accordance with college policy only after a student has been accepted.

In general, credit will be accepted for courses which are comparable to courses in the college curriculum. Credits earned at non-accredited colleges may be accepted as a basis for advanced standing in accordance with the recommendations of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, but only upon satisfactory completion of at least 30 credits in residence at the college.

NOTE: Students are required to disclose and include in their applications for admission official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Should a student fail to include official transcripts, that student will not be allowed to register for any semester beyond the first semester of attendance until official transcripts have been received by the College. Should a student fail to disclose attendance at another post-secondary institution and it is later brought to the attention of the College, that student's credits will be accepted according to established procedures, but the circumstances of the failure of disclosure on the application will be investigated by the VPAA as an Honor Code violation. Should there be any evidence of deception or material gain, appropriate sanctions will be imposed. Should there not be any such evidence, the student will receive a letter of reprimand for the Honor Code violation. Exceptions to this policy for International students may be appropriate as determined by the Director of Admission.

Community (Junior) College Credit

A maximum of 70 semester credits or 106 quarter credits of approved community college credit may be transferred to The College of Idaho to be counted toward the 124 credits required for graduation (see senior residence requirement). Only lower-division credit will be allowed for community college work.

NOTE: Students are required to disclose and include in their applications for admission official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Should a student fail to include official transcripts, that student will not be allowed to register for any semester beyond the first semester of attendance until official transcripts have been received by the College. Should a student fail to disclose attendance at another post-secondary institution and it is later brought to the attention of the College, that student's credits will be accepted according to established procedures, but the circumstances of the failure of disclosure on the application will be investigated by the VPAA as an Honor Code violation. Should there be any evidence of deception or material gain, appropriate sanctions will be imposed. Should there not be any such evidence, the student will receive a letter of reprimand for the Honor Code violation. Exceptions to this policy for International students may be appropriate as determined by the Director of Admission.

Re-Admission

Students who leave the college for one or more semesters, and who do not apply for a leave of absence, or whose leave of absence has expired, must petition the Admission Committee for re-admission. To petition, students must submit the following to the Admission Office:

  • A Returning Student Data Sheet
  • Official transcripts of all work attempted at other colleges or universities
  • A cover letter stating the reasons for returning and explaining activities pursued during the time away.

NOTE: Students are required to disclose and include in their applications for admission official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Should a student fail to include official transcripts, that student will not be allowed to register for any semester beyond the first semester of attendance until official transcripts have been received by the College. Should a student fail to disclose attendance at another post-secondary institution and it is later brought to the attention of the College, that student's credits will be accepted according to established procedures, but the circumstances of the failure of disclosure on the application will be investigated by the VPAA as an Honor Code violation. Should there be any evidence of deception or material gain, appropriate sanctions will be imposed. Should there not be any such evidence, the student will receive a letter of reprimand for the Honor Code violation. Exceptions to this policy for International students may be appropriate as determined by the Director of Admission.

Homeschool

Homeschool students with above average standardized test scores (1160 SAT or 25 ACT or higher; with sub-score restrictions) may be admitted with a home school transcript. Students with scores less than 1160 SAT or 25 ACT or sub-scores less than 500 SAT or 20 ACT will be required to have an on-campus interview.

International Students

International students must submit the following materials to the Admission Office, The College of Idaho, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho 83605:

  • An application for admission.
  • An official high school transcript that includes all work from the 9th grade to the date of application (see note on official transcripts below). Upon graduation, a final transcript must be submitted. GED scores may be presented in lieu of an official high school record provided the average score is 500 with no sub-score below 450.
  • Transcripts of any college work attempted.
    (Note on official transcripts: Transcripts are official only when mailed directly from or delivered in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution to the Admission Office.) If you have taken college coursework, we require that your transcripts be evaluated by WES-World Education Services (www.wes.org)-or another credential evaluation service.
  • Guidance counselor and/or teacher evaluations.
  • A one-to two-page essay/personal statement on one of four topics listed on the application.

International applicants are also required to submit one of the following official test scores:

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) for non-native English speakers minimum paper based score of 550, minimum computer based score of 213, and minimum iBT score of 79*
  • The ACT or SAT exam**
  • An IELTS language proficiency score of 5.5 or hight (www.ielts.org).

*Similar English proficiency tests may also be accepted if deemed appropriate by the Admission Committee. Students who fail to meet the English language requirement may enroll in an ESL Language Center at another institution. Proficiency certification of ESL meets the English language requirement for admission.

**We will accept ACT/SAT test scores as official if they are printed on the high school transcript, sent directly from ACT/SAT to the school in electronic, disk, or paper form; or if the ACT/SAT paper scores are faxed directly from the high school to the college. Scores printed off the Internet are not official scores and will not be used to award financial aid. Special allowances may be made for international students.

Students must provide evidence of adequate financial resources, and do so by submitting a verification of finances form with supporting information from their bank or an International Student Financial Aid Form offered through the College Board.

Given the amount of time it may take to secure a student visa, international students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, and will only be considered for entrance during our fall term.

As a concluding part of the application process, international students should schedule a phone or Skype interview with the Director of Admission. If the student is attending a high school in the United States, a face to face interview would be preferred.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our website at www.collegeofidaho.edu for additional information regarding programs, student life, and other aspects of an international student's experience at The College of Idaho. Applications can easily be downloaded from the site or they can be requested by mail or email. For more information please contact the Director of Admission at admission@collegeofidaho.edu.

Students with Disabilities

The College of Idaho seeks to provide an educational environment that is sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities. The College provides reasonable services to enrolled students who have a documented permanent or temporary physical, mental, or sensory disability that qualifies the student for academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students with disabilities are encouraged to notify the College of potential ADA or 504 status during the admission process.

The College of Idaho provides services to its students with disabilities through the Student Disability Services Office of the Department of Student Affairs. Student Affairs staff members and the Disability Services Coordinator will meet with students who indicate they have disabilities to help the student arrange for reasonable accommodations and identify off-campus sources of support.

To Obtain Services, a Student Must:

  1. Submit a written request for accommodations to the Student Disability Services Office indicating the condition and the types of accommodations the student desires. Requests should be made immediately after notification of admission.
  2. Submit appropriate documentation of the diagnosed disability from a qualified treatment provider. This documentation must indicate the nature, extent, and the academic implications of the disability. This documentation must also indicate the types of accommodation and services the student is currently receiving. The assessment must have been completed within the past three years.
  3. Provide a signed release of information form that allows the college to communicate with the student's doctors and service providers for the purpose of providing requested accommodations. It is also recommended that students sign the FERPA release during summer orientation.
  4. Provide contact information for the doctors and service providers listed on the release of information form.
  5. Schedule an appointment with the Learning Support and Disability Services Coordinator either by calling (208) 459-5683 or by contacting an Admission Counselor. The college prefers to collect the information cited here and then meet with the student. This meeting may occur when the student is on campus for summer orientation.

NOTE: The College will not ignore or excuse behavioral manifestations in conflict with College expectations or code of conduct resulting from various disabilities. The College holds all students to the same standards of performance and behaviors.

Special Students

Students 19 years of age or older who present satisfactory evidence that they are qualified to enroll in certain courses may be admitted as special students regardless of formal academic preparation.

Also, some high school seniors may be admitted to classes at the college prior to their graduation from secondary school if they live near the college, have superior academic records and are recommended by school officials. These students may enroll for a limited course of study.

Special students are not candidates for any degree at the college. Those who wish to pursue a degree at the college must meet the requirements for admission stipulated under Admission Categories to Degree Programs.

Notification

Acceptance

Notification of admission for Presidential Priority applicants will begin in October, providing a complete application has been submitted by October 1. Notification of admission for Early Action applicants is mid-December, providing a complete application has been submitted by the November 15 deadline. Applicants for admission who submit materials before the Priority Consideration deadline of February 15 will be notified after that date on a rolling basis. For applications submitted after February 15, notification of admission is rolling and based upon availability.

Deposit

A $300 refundable (up to May 1) tuition deposit/matriculation fee is required of all admitted students who attend the college. After May 1, the tuition deposit is non-refundable. This deposit is requested after admission to the college and is due by the candidate reply date of May 1. Campus housing requests are processed after receipt of the deposit/matriculation fee and based upon both application date and deposit date.

International Baccalaureate

The College of Idaho has found IB students to be very successful students during their tenure on campus. Over the past three years, the number of IB students has grown exponentially leading up to over 10% of the Fall 2009 freshman class haveing been IB students.

  • The Average 1st year GPA of an IB student at The College of Idaho is 3.17.
  • Our 4-year retention rate is 91% for IB students.

The College of Idaho appreciates the rigor and integrity of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Therefore students who have completed the IB diploma with a minimum score of 28 will receive the following:

  • Sophomore standing and 30 credits toward graduation upon enrollment.
  • Preferred status for admission.
  • Enhanced opportunity for merit scholarships.

For those who earned the IB Diploma with scores lower than 28, College of Idaho credit will be awarded as follows:

IB Dipolma score / College of Idaho credit
points credits
27 25
26 20
25 15
24 10

Credit toward completion of Graduation Requirements will be determined on a course-by-course basis.

For those who have taken IB courses but have not earned the IB Diploma, credit will be determined on a course-by-course basis.

High school students who enroll in the International Baccalaureate Diploma program and take Advanced Placement courses during their high school years will only receive college credit based on their Diploma score. In the event that an AP exam is taken in an academic area not offered through the IB Diploma program, students may receive college credit at the discretion of the Registrar.

Advanced Placement

CEEB Advanced Placement

High school graduates who receive scores of 3, 4, or 5 on College Entrance Board Advanced Placement Examinations may be granted placement and college credit in the appropriate subjects. Typically, AP courses cannot be used to satisfy Graduation Requirements unless approved by the department in which those credits are to be granted. However, even departments that do not customarily accept AP courses to satisfy a graduation requirement will consider appeals from students. Questions regarding specific course acceptance should be referred to the Registrar's Office at akuck@collegeofidaho.edu.