Introduction
The Admission Office is responsible for managing the admission process for prospective students. Admission is granted on a selective basis. The Admission Committee, consisting of College administrators, faculty, and staff, reviews policy set by the Admission Office to admit students who show promise of success at the College. In its selection process, the Admission Office reviews past academic performance, participation in high school and community activities, recommendations, writing samples, and standardized test scores. (There is also a test-optional process for students who choose not to submit test scores.) The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, disability, national and ethnic origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in administration of its admission and financial aid policies.
To learn more about how to apply for admission, please visit our website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/apply.
Student Types Defined
First-Time Students
A first-time student is defined as a student who has no prior post-secondary experience (except as noted below) and is 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, IB, and concurrent or dual-enrollment credits earned before graduation from high school). First-time students follow the same application process as first-year students (see Applying for Admission).
First-Year Students
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). For more information on the application process, please see Applying for Admission.
Transfer Students
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 or graduate). Transfer students should refer to PEAK for Transfer Students for details on their requirements for graduation. For more information on the application process for transfers, please see Applying for Admission. For information and policy related to the transfer evaluation process, see Transfer Credit.
Applying for Admission
First-Year Students
Students may begin the application process as early as August 1 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 email is admission@collegeofidaho.edu.
In order to be considered for admission, students should submit the following materials:
- An application for admission with the personal essay requested on the application. Visit collegeofidaho.edu/apply.
- 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.
- A transcript of any college work attempted.
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. Transcripts may also be sent electronically through a digital credential service such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse. Colleges and universities in Idaho and Treasure Valley Community College may fax official transcripts to the Registrar's Office.
- Official ACT or SAT test scores and, if applying test-optional, your test-optional materials. If applying test-optional, your test scores will not be used for the admission process, but we may 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; if they are sent directly from ACT/College Board to The College of Idaho in electronic or paper form; or if the ACT/SAT paper scores are sent directly from the high school to the College. Downloaded scores may also be accepted for admission review purposes. Special allowances may be made for international students.
- (Optional.) A letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher or counselor). This letter may be emailed or mailed directly to the Office of Admission. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Office of Admission.
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, the test-optional process, and counselor/teacher evaluation requirements.
A personal interview and campus visit are highly recommended. Register for a campus visit at collegeofidaho.edu/visit.
While there is no course of study for high school students required 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
Application Deadlines*
Early Action I: November 15
Early Action II: January 15
Regular Decision: February 15
*Please note that if a deadline falls on a weekend, applicants are able to submit their materials by the next weekday.
Applicants admitted by Early Action I will be informed no later than mid-December and will qualify for early consideration of scholarships and financial aid. Applicants admitted by Early Action II will be informed no later than 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 their 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 must submit an application for admission and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. A personal essay is required, and a recommendation letter is strongly encouraged but may be waived at the discretion of the Office of Admission. The transfer application deadline is August 1. Any applications submitted after this date will be considered by petition only.
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, in the form of both merit- and need-based aid from the College, is dependent on academic performance and on the receipt of transcripts. Any discrepancies between 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 to financial aid awards and/or violations of our 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. Please see Transfer Credit for information and policy related to the transfer evaluation process.
International Students
International students may begin the application process as early as August 1 after the last semester of their junior year (or equivalent) in high school. The address for mailing materials is:
The College of Idaho
Office of Admission
2112 Cleveland Blvd
Caldwell, ID 83605
Our email is admission@collegeofidaho.edu.
In order to be considered for admission, international 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 the next bullet point). Upon graduation, a final transcript must be submitted. GED scores may be presented in lieu of an official high school record.
- Transcripts of any college work attempted.
Note on official transcripts: If applicant is studying in the United States, transcripts are official only when mailed directly from or delivered in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution to the Admission Office. If applicant is studying outside the United States, transcripts may be received electronically when sent by the applicant’s secondary school. If a student has taken college coursework, The College of Idaho requires that transcripts be evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org), the Academic Credential Evaluation Institute (www.acei-global.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).
- Duolingo scores may also be accepted to meet English proficiency requirements.
*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 Students section.
Students must provide evidence of adequate financial resources by submitting an affidavit from their bank and an International Student Financial Aid Application found on the College website.
Given the amount of time it may take to secure a student visa, international students are encouraged to apply as early as possible and no later than June 1 or December 1 depending on start term. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Vice President for Enrollment Management.
International applicants are encouraged to visit the College website for additional information regarding programs, student life, and other aspects of an international student's experience at The College of Idaho. International students may apply via the College website or the Common Application. For more information, please contact the Admission Office at admission@collegeofidaho.edu.
Homeschooled Students
Homeschooled students 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.
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 earn admission 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 and return the completed form to the Registrar either in person or by email at 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 last term of enrollment. Re-enrollment under these circumstances does not require petitioning or a new application for admission. Contact the Registrar to re-enroll at registrar@collegeofidaho.edu or at 208-459-5400.
Students who have not attended 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: 1) those wishing to enhance their current degree by taking additional courses (see Non-Degree Seeking Students) and 2) those seeking to earn a second baccalaureate degree (see Earning a Second Degree).
Alumni wishing to continue their education begin the process by filing a Returning Student Information Form with the Registrar's Office.
Enrollment Deposit
To secure a place in the incoming class, a non-refundable $300 enrollment deposit is required of all admitted students who plan to attend The College of Idaho. The enrollment deposit is applied to the student's bill. This deposit is due by May 1 or thereafter as determined by the Vice President of Enrollment or designee. Campus housing requests and course registration priorities are processed after receipt of the enrollment deposit and are based on deposit date.
Please note: International students’ I-20 review process will not take place until the enrollment deposit has been received.
Notification of Admission
Overview
Notification of admission for Early Action I applicants occurs no later than mid-December, if a complete application has been submitted by the November 15 deadline. (An application is deemed complete when all required aspects of the application have been received by the Office of Admission.) Applicants for admission who submit materials before the Early Action II deadline of January 15 will be notified no later than 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 in the incoming class.
Please note that all offers of admission are made with the expectation that students will complete their remaining coursework at a level comparable to the one presented to the Admission Committee at the time of application. Should there be a significant drop in your final grades or a failure to meet high school requirements that delays graduation, your offer of admission may be rescinded by The College of Idaho. In such cases, please contact the Office of Admission at admission@collegeofidaho.edu to discuss your enrollment options.
Boone Fellows Program
Our selective admission 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 one's potential. The Boone Fellows program is a distinct admission program that considers those measures as well as a wide range of personal qualities. Students who are considered for the Boone Fellows program must schedule an on-campus interview with the Dean of Students and the Vice President for Enrollment Management or their designees.
Benefits of the Boone Fellows Program
Students admitted into the Boone Fellows program will experience a highly individualized course of study for their first two semesters at the College. Boone fellows will meet with their faculty advisor (usually the Dean of Students) to consider their individual strengths and weaknesses and to build an academic program designed to help them succeed at The College of Idaho. Other points of note:
- Housing, extracurricular clubs, social life, study time, and all those things that make college extraordinary will be the same for Boone Fellows as for other students.
- Boone fellows take a limited course load (usually 9-10 credit hours per semester) and are not eligible for intercollegiate athletics in their first two semesters (fall and spring).*
- As part-time students, Boone fellows' credits will be charged at one-half the regular per-credit tuition rate. Boone fellows will also be eligible for need-based federal aid on a prorated basis. They do not receive institutional financial aid until they reach full-time status.
*Boone fellows may petition to move to full-time status after the fall semester, with the support of the Dean of Students.
Probationary Admission
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 Student Standings). Applicants so admitted may enroll for only 12 units of credit during fall and spring semesters and 3 units of credit during the winter term. 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.
Regular Admission
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 Homeschooled Students), and transfer applicants whose college record is of sufficient quality may be admitted to the College in clear standing.