Because of the College's diverse and challenging liberal arts and sciences curriculum, the prospective student must have substantial preparation in a broad range of academic subjects. Students graduating from an accredited secondary school with a strong college preparatory curriculum are best prepared for the academics at Roanoke. It is strongly suggested that, in preparation for Roanoke, students take a minimum of 18 academic courses, including four in
English, two in social studies, four in a foreign language, and two in lab sciences. Three courses in mathematics, including two in algebra (Algebra I and Algebra II) and one in geometry, are required.
Freshmen and transfer students usually begin their degree programs with the
fall term in August, but students are also considered for admission in January,
May and June. Applications should be received by March 1 for admission in August
and approximately four to six weeks prior to the other entry times. An
application fee of $30 must accompany the completed application. This fee is non-refundable and is used for processing an applicant's credentials. A waiver of this fee requirement is possible if the applicant can demonstrate financial need and requests consideration for exception from the Admissions Office.
Although the deadline for freshman applications is March 1, students are urged to submit their applications
by December 15. Applications received after March 1 will be considered as space permits. Students will be notified of a decision by April 1. Transfer applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but applicants are encouraged to submit their paperwork early.
Early notification may be offered to students who possess strong academic records and who apply by December 15. These students are chosen on the basis of their SAT/ACT scores, class rank, grades, and course of study. Early notification applications will be considered in the order in which they become complete and ready for review. Students selected for early notification will be notified immediately following the admissions decision.
Students who have carefully researched their college alternatives and concluded that Roanoke College is their first choice should apply under the Early Decision Plan.
Candidates will be considered according to their academic potential as exhibited by their high school course work, standardized test scores, class rank, and other relevant academic information. Early Decision applications and supporting credentials should be received by November 15. Either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) or the American College Testing Program (ACT) is required of freshman applicants. The College recommends that the applicant take one of these examinations in the fall or early winter of the senior year in school and indicate that Roanoke College is to receive a copy of the results directly from the testing service. Information on both examinations is available at secondary schools or from Roanoke College. The examination code numbers for the College are 5571 for the SAT I and 4392 for the ACT.
Early Decision Candidates will be notified by November 30 and are committed to enroll at Roanoke College. The deposit deadline for Early Decision students is January 15. Early Decision candidates will receive a preliminary financial aid estimator form along with their acceptance.
An application for admission can be obtained by writing to the Admissions Office, by calling the Admissions Office (800-388-2276 or 540-375-2270), by e-mail (admissions@roanoke.edu), or through the Internet (http://www.roanoke.edu). Inquiries pertaining to admission and general College information should be directed to the Admission Office.
A visit to the College is strongly recommended. Visitors are able to talk with a member of the admissions staff, tour the campus with a student guide, attend classes, and dine in the Commons as guests of the College. The Admissions Office is open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays (September-April) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A student who anticipates a visit to the College should write or call in advance for an appointment (see numbers above).
The Admissions Committee places primary emphasis on the applicant's secondary school record. Subjects taken, grades, SAT I or ACT scores, and class rank are among the more important factors taken into consideration. Most students rank in the upper half of their graduating class, and many are in the top third. The committee also reviews any additional information submitted by either the applicant or the school.
For Freshman applicants who have pursued a non-traditional secondary education program, the General Equivalency Diploma, granted by the appropriate state agency, is recognized. A transcript of the work that was completed in high school is still required; a curriculum similar to that described previously is recommended.
Secondary school students must submit the following when applying for admission: (1) a completed application, (2) an official and complete high school transcript, (3) official results of either the SAT I or the ACT, (4) the $30 application fee, and (5) secondary school report. The school record should be submitted directly to the Admissions Office by the applicant's counselor or principal.
Roanoke College has no limitation on the number or proportion of qualified persons with disabilities who may be admitted. Applicants complete the usual application procedure. If special tests are available and appropriate, applicants are encouraged to use them.
Transfer students must submit the following when applying for admission: (1) a completed application, (2) official transcripts of all college-level course work as well as secondary school records, (3) the Admission with Advanced Standing form, and (4) the $30 application fee.
To be considered for admission, transfer students must be in good standing with all previous or current colleges and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.2 (on a 4.0 scale) in academically transferable courses as determined by the Office of the Registrar). Official transcripts of all course work are required, and credit is granted only for courses similar to those offered at Roanoke and only for those with a grade of "C-" or better. If more than 18.5 units are transferred, a minimum of 18 additional units (excluding physical education activity courses) must also be earned at Roanoke toward the degree. Students with fewer than nine transferable academic units will be evaluated on the basis of their high school records in addition to their college work.
For transfer students entering fall, 2000 and beyond, the following criteria apply: A minimum of 17 academic units (excluding credit earned for physical education and co-curricular activities) must be earned at Roanoke College toward the degree. Students with fewer than eight transferable academic units will be evaluated on the basis of their high school record in addition to their college work.
In general, students are to be governed by the Catalog which is current at the time they begin their studies at Roanoke College. However, a student has the option of declaring to be under the jurisdiction of a subsequent catalog except in cases where core requirements have been changed and the College has stipulated those eligible to declare the new curriculum. Should the faculty determine that a modification in course work for the major is necessary in order for students to complete a current course of study in a major, the department reserves the right to modify degree requirements for students who have not yet formally declared the major.
Students transferring from a Virginia Community College may elect to declare any catalog in effect within the twenty-four month period immediately preceding the term they first enroll except in cases where core requirements have been changed and the College has stipulated who is eligible to declare the new curriculum.
Each year, our campus is greatly enriched by the presence of international students who enroll and study toward a bachelor's degree. In addition to submitting the application form and secondary school transcript with the official English translation, international students should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have the results mailed to the College.
International students must also submit a brief, accurate outline of how they intend to finance a college education in the United States, explaining the anticipated program of payment for items such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and international travel. Some scholarships and limited financial aid are available to international students.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to visit Roanoke College prior to the beginning of their first term. A personal visit enables the student and College representatives to meet and determine how the College can best serve the student's particular needs. Persons with disabilities which affect access to campus facilities should contact the Director of Campus Safety. The Director of Campus Safety serves as the Section 504 Coordinator and is located in Bowman Hall.
Students with a diagnosed learning disability must send a copy of psycho-educational testing results to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. The results should be dated no earlier than twelve months before date of application. While Roanoke College does not offer a special program for students with learning disabilities, certain accommodations may be permitted based on the specific disability and the recommendations of the consulting professional. Any special considerations or accommodations requested by the student will not be allowed until testing results have been received and reviewed by the Assistant Dean. All requests are handled on a case-by-case basis.
At the beginning of each term, a student's professors will be informed of the specific nature of his or her disability. It is the student's responsibility to speak with his/her professors and arrange for any necessary accommodations that may benefit performance in a course. If a student prefers that instructors not be notified of a disability, the College will comply with those wishes upon written notice to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.
Students who wish to pursue academic courses for purposes other than a Roanoke College degree are admitted to the College as special students. Special or non-degree students must be eligible to return to their previous institutions if they were not graduated and must possess the requisite academic background for college-level course work. Students may have to submit a transcript showing that a prerequisite has been met. Special students are subject to all academic rules and regulations of this College. If a special student later applies to be a degree candidate and is accepted, any courses completed as a special student at Roanoke College may be applied toward the degree.
The residency requirement of 18 units, (17 units beginning fall, 2000) however, must be completed after acceptance as a degree candidate.
A student whose eligibility verification is not available due to a late application for admission as a special student may be admitted to the College under the classification of Temporary. This classification and the student's enrollment remain valid only until the last day for students to withdraw from the College for that term under normal circumstances. If at that time the Admissions Office has not received written verification of graduation or of eligibility to return to previous institutions, the student will be automatically withdrawn from Roanoke College as of that date; if eligibility is verified, a student is reclassified as Special-non-degree.
Roanoke College's Opportunities Program provides communication, support, and special incentives to allow adult students to attend college. The incentives include career services, non-credit seminars to prepare program participants for college, day and evening courses, and financial aid for part-time, degree-seeking adult students.
To qualify for the Opportunities Program, students must be at least 25 years old and satisfy the following requirements: a high school diploma or GED; a high school transcript; satisfactory completion of Algebra II; Scholastic Aptitude Test, or ACT; a minimum of a 2.2 cumulative transfer grade point average (where applicable). See "Admissions" for more specific requirements.
Credit will be granted only for academic courses similar to those offered at Roanoke and completed at an accredited college or university with a grade of "C-" or better. Official transcripts must be provided. Credits may also be received by adult students for military service and for grades of "C-" or better on appropriate College Level Examination
Program (CLEP) tests. See Advanced Placement and Credit, Credit by Examination, and Transfer Credit for more information. See "Transfer Students" for more information.
Additional information is available by contacting the Director of Adult Studies at 540-375-2303.