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First-Time College Students

Students are admitted to the freshman class on the basis of strong academic performance in a rigorous course of college preparatory study. Every application is carefully reviewed and considered for admission.


Applying

For further information on admission, please call 760.943.1107 or e-mail admissions@stkath.org.  

 

High School Requirements

Official transcripts of all secondary school grades are required. Students are expected to prepare for Saint Katherine College by successfully completing the following curriculum:

  • Three years of mathematics (algebra I, geometry, and algebra II). Other advanced courses that require algebra and geometry as prerequisites are also acceptable. Computer programming courses do not fulfill the math requirements. (A fourth year of mathematics is highly recommended.)
  • Two years of science (1 year biology and 1 year physical science; three years recommended)
  • Four years of English (Literature and/or composition course acceptable)
  • One year of U.S. government
  • One year of World History
  • Three years of one modern or classical foreign language (four years recommended)(Subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence.)

 

Standardized Exams

Freshman applicants are required to take the  ACT with writing (College Code 6041) or  SAT (math, critical reading, and writing) examinations. The highest scores and sub-scores are used for evaluation; all results must  have been achieved within 5 years of application to the class. Scores are to be directly submitted in the on-line or mail-in application.

Information regarding the College Board examinations can be found in the Bulletin of Information, which may be obtained without charge at most high schools, or by contacting the College Board, 45 Columbus Avenue, New York, NY 10023-6992; (609) 771-7600; sat@info.collegeboard.org; or http://www.college board.com. For ACT, 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168; (319) 337-1270; http://www.act.org.

Essays

The essays, which are required as a part of the application, are intended to provide students the opportunity to communicate their interests, experiences, and background. Since Saint Katherine College is interested in learning about each applicant, the essays are viewed as an important part of the admission decision process.

Evaluations (Recommendations)

Two academic evaluations (recommendations) are required. One must be from an instructor. If the applicant has been homeschooled for any part of high school, submit the Homeschool Information Form with the provided transcript signed by a home school official. In addition, a letter of recommendation from a mature adult who knows the applicant well and has had the opportunity to observe his or her character is required. This person should not be a relative.

Interview

We strongly encourage students to visit the College and be interviewed on campus. Where this is not possible, a telephone interview will be conducted.

Additional Material

Descriptions of research projects and other hands-on experience are helpful, as is material that demonstrates experiences outside academics. Additional material should be identified with name and date of birth. Students planning to pursue a degree in Art are encouraged to submit a portfolio of examples of their work in jpeg format on either a CD or DVD. Please label each CD or DVD image with the title, date, media, and dimension of the work.

Acceptance

Saint Katherine College operates a rolling admissions process. Applicants are informed of an admission decision within 10 weeks of submission of a complete application and supporting material.

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and College Credit

Saint Katherine College encourages all prospective undergraduate applicants to prepare by challenging themselves with the most rigorous course of study available, including the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. However, college credit for AP or IB classes is not automatic. Course credit and/or placement in an accelerated program is sometimes granted as deemed appropriate by the faculty. The awarding of Saint Katherine College course credit takes place at the time of registration each fall.

In general, Saint Katherine College awards credit for the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations for scores of 4 and 5 on most examinations. In order to receive credit, you must have official score results forwarded directly to us.

We also award credit and/or advanced standing for grades of 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) higher level examinations. Official IB results should be sent as soon as they are available.

If you have completed college courses while in high school (either during the summer or during the school year), we generally grant credit if you received a grade of “B” or better in the courses, and if the courses are similar to courses offered at the College (Exception: We do not grant credit for college courses that are also being used to satisfy high school graduation requirements). You should provide official transcripts for any courses you have already completed with your application for admission, and have official transcripts forwarded as soon as possible upon completion of the courses for any courses that are in progress when you apply.