Private College Process

Students and parents should understand their “college profile”. Private colleges have different “personalities” and their requirements vary.

Here are some general guidelines to consider when looking at private colleges. Listed below are the CORE areas of your college profile, with the 1st three being the CORE of your profile:

· Class rank and GPA

· Rigor of curriculum

· Test scores- SAT Reasoning and/or SAT subject Tests, ACT is also accepted and

some colleges a require writing portion

· Community and/or religious service

· School activities

 

Most competitive private college personality Ivy League colleges: Rice, Stanford, Pomona, Claremont McKenna, MIT, Cal Tech, etc:

· 4 years of English

· 3-4 years of Math- beyond Advanced Algebra II

· 3-4 years of Lab Science- minimum of 1 year biological, 1 year physical

· 3-4 years of Second Language

· 3-4 years of Social Studies

· SAT Reasoning range- 1300+(based on reading +math total)

· ACT Composite range- 28+

· The test scores are a range and vary on the individual applicant

 

Very competitive private college personality: Lewis & Clark, Willamette, Whitman, U of Puget Sound, Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Whitworth, and USC are examples. Please note that USC and Pepperdine test score averages have increased dramatically in the past 2 years.

· 4 years of English

· 3 years of Math through Advanced Algebra II (4 years if possible)

· 2-3 years of Lab Science- 1 year biological, 1 year physical (4 years if possible)

· 2-3 years of a Second Language (3 years if possible)

· 3 years of Social Studies

· SAT Reasoning range- 1150+ (based on reading +math)

· ACT Composite range- 26+

· The test scores are a range and vary on the individual applicant

 

Competitive private college personality: George Fox, Seattle Pacific, Warner Pacific, Concordia, Corban, Northwest College, Linfield and Pacific Lutheran:

· 4 years of English

· 3 years of Math through Advanced Algebra II or Integrated Math III

· 2 years of Science

· 2 years of Second Language

· 3 years of Social Studies

· SAT Reasoning range- 950+ (based on reading +math)

· ACT Composite range- 20+

· The test scores are a range and vary on the individual applicant

 

  • Depending on the "personality" of your college, curriculum rigor varies- see your counselor.
  • Some private colleges require 2 SAT Subject tests. Check with the college or your counselor.
  • Most private colleges require an essay and recommendations from your counselor and teacher(s).

 

College Entrance Tests:

  • SAT Reasoning and/or ACT are used for college entrance
  • SAT Subject tests
  • 2 Subject tests are required by some private and public universities
  • Check with colleges because the 2nd required tests vary
  • If you choose Math as a subject test most colleges want Math level II
  • If you prefer the ACT, it has a writing portion. It is optional but I would suggest taking it