A modified admissions policy for Ricks College has been approved by the board of trustees, reported Pres. Steven D. Bennion. College officials plan to begin implementing the policy for winter semester 1993.
Applicants must still meet the basic admissions requirements, which include graduating from high school, taking the American College Test (ACT) and having a bishop's or ecclesiastical leader's endorsement. But now potential students must also submit a personal essay indicating reasons for wanting to attend Ricks College, and an evaluation from a seminary or institute of religion teacher, said Pres. Bennion.
He explained that these new factors are principally related to the character and spiritual preparation of the student applicant. "The college will now admit students based on their ability to profit from the religious and academic climate of Ricks College," he said.
Since Ricks College implemented an enrollment ceiling three years ago, it has been accepting students on a first-come, first-served basis. And each year the date for closing admissions has been nearly two months earlier than the previous year, Pres. Bennion related.
Because the college receives more applications than it has spaces available, the first-come, first-served admissions approach "is no longer manageable," he continued.
"This modified policy continues the open-door spirit of the past but builds on other factors which will be reviewed in the admissions process."
Church activity and values will be assessed by seminary and institute involvement, Church attendance, bishop's and seminary or institute teacher's recommendations and personal essays, Pres. Bennion related.
Additional factors that will be examined during the admissions process include personal commitment to living the Ricks College Code of Honor, geographic location, ethnicity, and special needs and accomplishments to "provide for a balanced and diversified student body," he explained.
Pres. Bennion said that the predicted college grade point average - based on analysis of ACT scores and high school GPAs - of those who will be considered for admission to Ricks College "is still comparatively modest" at 2.0 GPA. If a student has met the Church and seminary or institute of religion activity guidelines, but does not meet the predicted GPA, he or she may be offered an option to attend the College Skills Institute offered during the summer. The student may also be given an option of attending summer or evening school.
Gordon Westenskow, director of admissions, said admissions officials will begin implementing the modified policy within the next two months. "We are getting the word out to the high school counselors and Church Educational System personnel. We plan to use much of the system by winter semester 1993," he explained, "and have it in full use for fall semester 1993."
Potential students can begin applying for fall semester 1993 in September 1992.