WEBVTT 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:10.000 Welcome to admissions 101. My name is Rob Findtner, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:22.000 I'm the director of admissions, full disclosure I am a graduate of Western Oregon. Actually it was called Western Oregon State College or WOSC. I was a history major with a minor in political science. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:30.000 I happened to follow my older brother who is a business major and still putting that degree to use in the mortgage industry and what turned out to be my sister-in-law. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:43.000 She was a graduate of the teacher education program and taught for many years and then decided to stay home with my niece and nephew. So there is definitely some Western Oregon inside the Findtner family itself. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:49.000 For this evening I will be covering the admissions requirements for freshmen as well as transfer students. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:59.000 The application steps and procedures as well. Lets get started with Freshmen. Were going to look at first is your GPA or your cumulative GPA or over all GPA. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:08.000 So for those of you that are high school seniors its a 2.75 is our minimum GPA, and that is fairly common with state or public universities. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.000 Were going to look at your GPA first. SO once again we stress that is your overall GPA 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:19.000 So we do look at your Freshman, Sophomore, Junior year and as well as your Senior year, So every year does count. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:27.000 It's true what your high school councilors or the college and career center director might say. We also want your ACT and SAT scores. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:34.000 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:41.000 I think for most students there pretty well aware of these requirements, I often call them the 15 magic units. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:48.000 Those are areas such as English, you need to complete four years of English before graduation. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:59.000 Three years of Math and through Algebra II, and I really want to stress that you have to get through Algebra II. I know some students at times struggle with that but were looking at a typical pattern of Algebra I, Geometry, and then Algebra II 00:01:59.000 --> 00:01:68.000 Now if you exceed that is fantastic. I think the more math the better in terms of your preparation, but were looking for three years of Math, and that is through Algebra II. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:19.000 Three years of Science. Three years of Social Science, that could be history, global studies, western civilization, those are all great examples of Social Science. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:27.000 Two years of the same second or foreign language. American Sign Language would count, if your from the state of Hawaii, and you take Hawaiian, that counts. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:38.000 I even joke to say if they offer Swahili at your high school and you take two years thats fantastic. It has to be two years of the same second or foreign language. So keep that in mind. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:53.000 You do need to have a C- or better in each of these 15 core units. Thats very important too. So we are looking at the grades. In your freshman english class all the way up to maybe your senior year Algebra II course. So keep that in mind. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:63.000 I want to get back to the SAT or ACT scores, is that if a student, lets say they had some struggles in their high school careers and they have really turned it around and they are looking at Western Oregon. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:13.000 If a students has a GPA between a 2.5 and a 2.74 so they are right on the cusp, we can turn to your ACT or SAT scores. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:19.000 Specifically what were looking for, lets say hypothetically there is a student named Rob with a 2.6 GPA 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:31.000 If Rob can score a 21 or higher on the ACT, or a 1000 on the SAT, the critical reading and math sections combined, if that equates to a 1000. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:43.000 Then he can be considered for admission if he is not meeting the GPA requirement. We have student on our campus, that were in that situation for a whole host of reasons and once again were admitted into Western Oregon based on test scores. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:54.000 Now we know we have some students who may not fall in the path of attending a private high school, public high school. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:59.000 What the case may be and we have some requirements for homeschool students. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:09.000 We are looking for a composite score of 21 on the ACT or a combined 1000 on the SAT the critical reading and math sections. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:21.000 Were going to ask that if you are a homeschool student that you're taking the SAT subject test, and specifically it's math level 1 or it can be level 2C and that another of your choice. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:27.000 You probably saw on that first slide with Freshman admissions, were looking for two years of the same second or foreign language 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:42.000 One way you can meet the language requirement is by taking the language test for the SAT. It used to be called the SAT 2 back in the day. That is the requirements for our home schooled students. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:46.000 WE also accept the GED and this could be an option for home schooled students. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:52.000 The previous slide we talked about the ACT or SAT and taking the SAT subject test. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:58.000 One route or direction is the GED as well, there are some changes that are coming to the GED. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:04:67.000 We can see in terms of a minimum score that we need on each of the five tests and an average score on the GED as well as well as the language requirement. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:18.000 So once again there are some changes coming in January to the GED and we will be getting that information up but these are the current requirements for students that would like to be considered for admission for a GED 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:26.000 I would like to talk out transfer student requirements, we always have a significant number of students that transfer to Western Oregon whether its for fall term. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:32.000 Also keep in mind that we have entry points for Winter, Spring and even Summer too that students will apply as a transfer student. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:42.000 Perhaps they are attending a community college or in some cases it could be a four year institution to where Western Oregon when it's all said and done may be a better fit. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:52.000 So there is a minimum number of transfer hours that were looking for and I want to stress that they have to be transferable hours. What were looking for if we had a quarter institution 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:58.000 Community colleges in Oregon are on the quarter system, like Portland Community or Chemeketa community college are on the quarter system. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:67.000 We are looking for 36 hours that are transferable, or lets say you are coming from a semester institution. The 24 hours that are transferable. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:16.000 What I really want to stress what gets transferable. General rule of thumb, The course has to bee at the 100 level or higher to be considered transferable. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:22.000 case and point could be, History 201 from Portland Community college will transfer to Western Oregon University. 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:36.000 Course such as Math 95 from Chemeketa Community college would not transfer. It's such a course that helps a student prepare and be able to transition into college level mathematics. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:40.000 and based on placement test results. That may be where the student may start, but please 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:43.000 note that course would not transfer to Western Oregon University. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:54.000 We also have a requirement for writing. This is a policy put into place a couple years ago. We are looking for writing 121 which is offered by the Oregon Community Colleges. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:65.000 or an equivalent that we could determine if that course you transfer in from a community college in the state of California is at the equivalent to writing 121 or our 135. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:12.000 and then for mathematics, once again this is a crucial area for success in college and we are looking for that certain math. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:20.000 That could Math 111, 105 or an equivalent course. For the writing and math there is a requirement that you have a C- or better. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:29.000 The trend I'm seeing right now is some transfer students are trying to avoid the math. The bottom line is you have to have that math requirement when you are applying for admission. 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:38.000 Either you've completed that course or you are going to have that in progress for future term and let you complete that course by the time transfer and enroll at Western Oregon University. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:48.000 Keep that in mind that math requirement is very important. And last but not least is the foreign language requirement. If you complete the language requirement in high school 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:55.000 we can get a copy of your high school transcript or some transfer students will say, I've been taking American Sign Language at the community college. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:68.000 If I took two semesters or quarters terms of a language at the community college or four year institution, would that count? The answer is yes. We can accept if it is college course work. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:13.000 I want to talk about comprehensive admission review or sometimes its called special admissions. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:25.000 For some students that may have had some challenges and not meeting our requirements, but had that desire to attend Western Oregon we're their first choice and yet they have had some bumps in the road. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:35.000 Often do I get the question, is there a process that I can pursue to be considered for admission if I'm not meeting the minimum GPA requirement. I'm missing some subject requirements, etc. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:46.000 So we have our Comprehensive Admission Review Committee that meets once a month, that I chair as Director of Admissions. We have faculty staff administrators that serve on that committee to review files. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:58.000 So in addition to just applying for admission and getting all your documents in for either as a freshman or transfer student. If you referred the committee, by me as the director then what we will need is the following items 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:66.000 Is a personal statement from you, in terms of addressing why you aren't meeting Western Oregon's admission requirements. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:12.000 What steps are you taking to meet our requirements or improve your academic performance. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:20.000 Maybe what resources you are currently seeking at your high school or community college or that you would seek at Western Oregon University. So you are a successful student. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:26.000 Then three letters of recommendation. And these letters really need to come from school personnel. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:36.000 So teachers that know you really well in terms to your academic ability, potential, success you've had in a class or classes. Those are the type of folks that we are looking for in terms of letters. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:44.000 It could be your school counselor that knows about your academic performance or evolvement within the community or the school. Once again these are good folks to write letters. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:59.000 We need to avoid folks that cannot address your academic ability or potential. So besides what we will see we will have a student very interested in the athletic program at Western Oregon and they get a letter from their coach. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:09:69.000 Unfortunately the coach does not address the student's academic performance. They talk about how they student is a great basketball player and scores 25 points a game but nothing about their academic ability. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:17.000 Just a reminder if you have to go through this process you are looking for folks who are academically minded who can address your academic ability and potential. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:27.000 Also since we see letters of recommendation from Mom's and Dad's. Mom's and Dad's definitely love us and know us very well but those letters will not be accepted as well. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:36.000 So lets go ahead and restrict those letters to folks from the high school or can be from the college that could address your academic ability and potential that see you 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:41.000 during the week in the classroom and know you have that ability to succeed at Western Oregon. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:49.000 I've talked about the requirements. If you are ready to apply then let's talk about what is required for the application process. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:60.000 Complete an application--and we offer a paper application that can be downloaded from the admissions page--also we have our online application. Obviously more students are going that route. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:05.000 They are applying online. And so we'll accept either. There's not really a right way or wrong way, but I'd say many students are 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:08.000 applying for admission online 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:12.000 and make sure you complete that application and submit it online. Some students will work on 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:16.000 their application online, but the honestly forget to hit the 'submit' button. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:20.000 And so it's sitting out there, and a student will call and say 'Well, I haven't heard anything. And we'll say 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:28.000 complete the application and submit it online, or mail that to the admissions office, or drop 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:32.000 it off. We do need official transcripts. So for High School students 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:36.000 just have the High School send that directly to the office. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:40.000 of Admissions. For transfer students, we need transcripts 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:44.000 from each and every college that you've attended. And that's really important that 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:48.000 you get those transcripts. Occasionally we have a student that maybe didn't have 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:52.000 the best experience accedemicly at an institution, and is 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:56.000 not necessarily forthright in disclosing that, we'll find out about that institution. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:60.000 Often, it's our financial aid office that will find out that you attended a school, but failed to disclose 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:04.000 that, and there could be some disciplinary or conduct issues associated with that. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:08.000 So, if you are a perspective transfer student, make sure that if you have attended 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:12.000 more than one institution, that you get all those transcripts to us. It's very important. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:16.000 And, if you're a high school student with college credit, make sure you get that transcript 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:20.000 to us. And often what we say is, you can wait until you've graduated from High School, 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:24.000 and you've wrapped up all that college coursework, and then send that transcript to us. You don't have to send multiple 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:28.000 transcripts. And we talked about before, a copy of your 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:32.000 SAT or ACT scores. We do need those to complete your admission file. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:36.000 Once again, those are used for scholarships. They could be used for part of that 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:40.000 descision making process. Maybe you aren't meeting the minimum GPA, or Honors Program consideration, 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.000 athletic eligibility, etc. There is a whole host of different reasons why you want 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:48.000 those scores. Once again, that's just for freshmen. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:52.000 We do need payment for your application to process that. It is a $60 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:56.000 non-refundable application fee. Or, for some students, you may 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:60.000 qualify for a deferral of the application fee. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:04.000 And so there is whats called an Oregon University System, or OUS Fee Deferral. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:08.000 And, you do need to have a school representative sign that document. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:12.000 And then, you need to verify if you are meeting one or more of the following criteria. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:16.000 And that could be that you qualify and receive free or reduced lunch at your school. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:20.000 As a high school senior, if you are part of a Trio program, such as 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:24.000 Upward Bound, or Talent Search, that could apply to transfer students. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:28.000 Maybe you are part of an Upward Bound program or Student Support Services program at your 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:32.000 college, or receive state assistance such as food stamps. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:36.000 And once again, we need some type of signature. If it's a high school 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:40.000 senior from a school official, usually it's a counselor or teacher. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:44.000 And for some students, when you apply for financial aid, when you submit your FAFSA 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:48.000 If you have essentially, a zero EFC, or Expected Family Contribution 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:52.000 that's one way you can qualify, and sometimes we have transfer students qualify 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:56.000 that way, because they have a low EFC, and we are usually looking for that zero dollar 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:60.000 amount. What does that deferral mean? It's not a waiver of the application fee. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:04.000 That is very important. We are not going to waive an application fee. But, what it is is that it defers it 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:08.000 and you will only pay that 60 dollars, you will be billed that 60 dollars, 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:12.000 once you arrive on campus in the fall, if you actually decide to enroll at Western Oregon. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:16.000 Again, you will see that you will be billed by our business office. So it's not a waiver, it's a deferment 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:20.000 or deferral of the application fee. Now our scholarships 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:24.000 deadline, whether you are a high school senior applying as a freshman, or as a transfer student 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:28.000 you want to have a complete admission file in by February 28. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:32.000 So everything needs to be in, and I've talked about that, what's needed for the process 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:36.000 This all needs to be in by the 28th of February at 5 PM, Pacific Standard Time. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:40.000 We will shut the doors in the admissions office, and shut out the lights, so everything 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:44.000 needs to be in, as well as any scholarship documents, or forms, etcetera. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:48.000 Whether it's online or paper, they need to be in to the Financial Aid office too. So and important deadline. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:52.000 So, we have whats called 'rolling admission. We accept applications throughout the year. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:56.000 But, this scholarship data is obviously crucial for students who are 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:60.000 trying to investigate scholarship opportunities to finance their education.