The Admission Office is responsible for managing the admission process for prospective and returning students. Admission is granted on a selective basis. The admission committee, consisting of college administrators, faculty, and staff, sets policy for the Admission Office as it strives to admit students who show promise of success at the College. In its selection process, the admission committee reviews 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.
First-year applicants who have graduated from high school, presented acceptable GED scores in lieu of a high school record, or met the College's homeschool policy (see section on homeschool applicants), and transfer applicants whose college record is of sufficient quality may be admitted to the College in clear standing.
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 or other conditions (e.g., needing to take a specific writing or mathematics course) may be admitted on a conditional basis.
Students not meeting the minimum standard for regular or conditional admission may be admitted to the College on a probationary basis. If admitted on a probationary basis, the student will immediately be placed on academic probation (see section on Academic Standing). Applicants so admitted may enroll for only 12 units of credit during the Fall and Spring and 3 units of credit during the Winter semester. Students admitted on probation may not represent the College in intercollegiate athletics or receive institutional financial aid.
Note: This status does not apply to new students with fewer than 12 transfer credits.
Our selective admissions program considers grades, test scores, and a host of other quantitative measures. However, our experience has taught us that scores and grades, while valuable, do not fully measure human potential. The Boone Fellows program is a distinct admission program that considers those measures but also a wide range of personal qualities. Students who are considered for the Boone Program must schedule an on-campus interview with the Dean of Students and the Vice President for Enrollment Management or their designees.
Students admitted into the Boone Fellows program will experience a highly individualized program for their first two semesters in college. Boone Fellows will meet with their faculty advisor to consider their individual strengths and weaknesses and to build a program designed to help them succeed at The College of Idaho. In addition,
Applying for Admission
Student Types
First-time student
A first-time student is defined as a student who has no prior post-secondary experience (except as noted below) attending The College of Idaho for the first time at the undergraduate level. First-time students also include students enrolled in the Fall term who attended the College for the first time in the prior summer term, and students who entered with advanced standing (those with alternative credits (AP and IB) and concurrent enrollment credits earned before graduation from high school).
First-year student
A first-year student is defined as a student who has prior post-secondary experience (college level course work) but has completed less than the equivalent of one full year of undergraduate work; that is, less than 28 credits.
Transfer student
A transfer student is defined as a student entering The College of Idaho for the first time but known to have previously attended a post-secondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate). Transfer students should refer to the PEAK for Transfer Students policy in the Graduation Requirements section of the catalog.
First-Year Students
Students may begin the application process as early as August 1st after the last semester of their junior year in high school. The address for mailing materials is:
The College of Idaho
Office of Admission
2112 Cleveland Blvd
Caldwell, ID 83605
Our fax number is 208-459-5757 and our email is admission@collegeofidaho.edu.
In order to be considered for admission, students should submit the following materials:
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An application for admission with the personal essay requested on the application. Visit www.collegeofidaho.edu/apply
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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.
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A transcript of any college work attempted. Note on official transcripts: Transcripts are official only when mailed directly from the school to The College of Idaho or delivered in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution to the Admission Office. Colleges and universities in Idaho and Treasure Valley Community College may fax OFFICIAL transcripts to the Registrar's Office.
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Official ACT or SAT test scores* and, if applying test-optional, your test optional essay responses. If applying test-optional, your test scores will not be used for the admission process or for financial aid awarding, but we do use them to determine class placement.
*The College will accept ACT/SAT test scores as official if they are printed on the high school transcript, sent directly from ACT/SAT to The College of Idaho in electronic or paper form; or if the ACT/SAT paper scores are faxed directly from the high school to the College. Scores printed from the Internet are not official scores, so will not be used to award financial aid. Special allowances may be made for international students.
Students who have graduated from high school at least 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 scores and counselor/ teacher evaluation requirements.
A personal interview and campus visit are highly recommended. Register for a campus visit at www.collegeofidaho.edu/visit
While there is no required pattern of high school study necessary for admission, the following combination is strongly recommended:
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines are as follows:
Early Action I: November 15
Early Action II: January 15
Regular Decision: February 15
Applicants admitted by Early Action I will be informed by mid-December and will qualify for early consideration of scholarships and financial aid. Applicants admitted by Early Action II will be informed by mid-February.
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. Applications received after February 15 will be considered 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.
Transfer Students
Students who have already completed at least 28 semester credits or 42 quarter credits of continuous enrollment at regionally 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 first-year applicants, but may be granted advanced credit for that work.
Transfer applicants should submit an application for admission and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, just as first-year students do. An essay and recommendation letter are required. The transfer application deadline is August 1. Any applications submitted after this date will be considered by petition only.
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. Please see Transfer Credit Policy for specific course and grade acceptance.
College Transcripts
Students are required to include in their applications for admission official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Official final transcripts for high school and college course work are required prior to attending classes. Financial assistance, both in the form of merit and need-based aid from the College, are dependent upon academic performance and dependent on the receipt of transcripts. Any discrepancies in final transcripts and those presented at the time of admission will be reviewed by the Vice President for Enrollment Management and could result in changes in financial assistance, and/or violations of the honor code.
Credits earned at regionally accredited colleges or universities will be evaluated by the Registrar's Office, 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 that 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.
Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer Courses/Credits Accepted for Transfer
The following policies guide The College of Idaho’s decisions as to whether transfer courses or credits are accepted for transfer:
- Courses must have been taken at a regionally accredited college/university in the United States. Coursework from foreign institutions must be evaluated by World Education Services or similar organization.
- All transfer course credits will be converted to semester credits.
- Approved courses that are passed with grades “A” through “D-“, plus “P” or “S” grades, will be accepted for transfer to C of I, but only applicable courses graded C or higher will be used to satisfy Major and Minor requirements.
- Outdated Transfer Coursework: “Acceptable” transfer courses that are more than five years old at the time of admission to C of I, at the discretion of the College, may be excluded from consideration in meeting major or minor requirements regardless of grade earned.
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Non-degree seeking students must submit a short application for admission and official transcripts from each college or university they have attended. Students who complete 12 credits at The College of Idaho must then complete the full admission process and be admitted as a degree-seeking student in order to continue their studies. Students who have already completed a Bachelor's Degree at The College of Idaho or another accredited institution will be exempt from the 12-credit limit. Access the non-degree seeking application here: https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/sites/default/files/Non%20Degree%20Seeking.pdf. Return to the registrar either in person or email to registrar@collegeofidaho.edu.
Re-Admission
Students in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing who leave the College for one or more semesters and do not request a leave of absence, or whose leave of absence has expired, may re-enroll in the College within six years of their first term of enrollment. Re-enrollment under those circumstances does not require petitioning or a new application for admission. Simply contact the registrar to re-enroll at registrar@collegeofidaho.edu or at 208-459-5400.
Students who stopped attending or officially withdrew from the College for more than six years must file a new application for admission. Students who were academically suspended or left while not in good standing should consult the Academic Standing policy in this catalog. Students who were placed on Involuntary Medical Leave of Absence should refer to the Leave of Absence policy in the catalog and contact the Dean of Students Office.
Alumni
Students who have graduated from The College of Idaho and wish to return to the College to continue their education fall into two main categories: those wishing to enhance their current degree by adding a major or taking additional courses and those seeking to earn a second baccalaureate degree.
Adding a Major or Additional Courses (non-degree seeking)
Those who wish to enhance their current degree by adding a major or additional courses will be governed by the same catalog under which they originally graduated (though students always have the right to petition to be considered under the requirements of a later catalog). These students will complete the requirements of their second major. In many cases, these students will have originally graduated with a minor in the field in which they subsequently seek a major. The upgrading of a minor into a major is acceptable in these cases because the graduate has already completed a full liberal arts program. The original transcript will not be changed, but once the student has completed the requirements for the additional major, the new courses and new major will be appended to the transcript. Students wishing to add a major without earning a second baccalaureate degree are not eligible to apply for federal loans.
Earning a Second Degree (degree seeking)
Those who wish to earn a second baccalaureate degree must complete at least 30 credits beyond their first degree and complete an additional major in the process. These students will also be governed by the catalog under which they originally graduated, but they can petition to earn their second degree under a subsequent catalog. Once the major requirements are completed and the 30 credits earned, these students will have posted to their transcripts a second baccalaureate degree and will be issued a second diploma. Students seeking a second degree are eligible to apply for federal loans.
Finances
Graduates from The College of Idaho who return to the College either to enhance their current degree or to earn a second baccalaureate degree will be eligible for a 50% discount on the per-credit tuition rate, whether they attend part-time or full-time.
Application
Alumni wishing to continue their education begin the process by filing a returning student information form with the Registrar's Office.
Homeschool
Homeschooled students with above-average standardized test scores (currently 1160 SAT or 25 ACT or higher, with sub-score restrictions) may be admitted with a transcript from an accredited homeschool program or GED. Students with average or below-average SAT or ACT scores or sub-scores less than 500 SAT or 20 ACT will be required to have an on-campus interview, and possibly subject testing.
International Students
International students may begin the application process as early as August 1st after the last semester of their junior year in high school. The address for mailing materials is:
The College of Idaho
Office of Admission
2112 Cleveland Blvd
Caldwell, ID 83605
Our fax number is 208-459-5757 and our email is admission@collegeofidaho.edu. In order to be considered for admission, students should submit the following materials:
- 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 a student has taken college coursework, the College requires that transcripts be evaluated by WES-World Education Services (www.wes.org) or another approved credential evaluation service.
- Guidance counselor and/or teacher evaluations.
- A short essay/personal statement on one of the essay topics in 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*
- ACT or SAT exam scores**
- An IELTS language proficiency score of 5.5 or higher (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.
**The College of Idaho will accept ACT/SAT test scores as official if they meet the criteria outlined in the First-year Student section.
Students must provide evidence of adequate financial resources 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 The College of Idaho Fall semester except at the discretion of the Vice President for Enrollment Management.
As a concluding part of the application process, international students should schedule a phone or Skype interview with their admission counselor. If the student is attending a high school in the United States, a face-to-face interview would be preferable. International applicants are encouraged to visit the College 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 be downloaded from the site or requested by mail or email. For more information, please contact the Vice President for Enrollment Management at admission@collegeofidaho.edu.
Acceptance
Notification of admission for Early Action I applicants occurs in mid-December, providing a complete application has been submitted by the November 15 deadline. Applicants for admission who submit materials before the Early Action II deadline of January 15 will be notified by mid-February. Applicants for admission who submit materials before the Regular Decision 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 non-refundable $300 enrollment deposit is required of all admitted students who plan to attend the College to secure a place in the class. The enrollment deposit is applied to the student bill. This deposit is due by May 1 or thereafter as determined by the Vice President of Enrollment or his/her designee. Campus housing requests and course registration priorities are processed after receipt of the enrollment deposit and based on deposit date.