THE FRESHMAN CLASS

A freshman class is admitted once a year—in September. Over 3,000 candidates submitted applications for admission into a recent freshman class. Since most candidates apply to more than one college, it is necessary to admit more students than the college intends to enroll. Application may be made upon the completion of six semesters of secondary school work.

Candidates for admission to the freshman class are evaluated on the basis of (1) the secondary school record; (2) the results of the American College Testing Program (ACT) or the results of the College Board’s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); (3) recommendation of the secondary school; and (4) a personal interview when possible.

THE SECONDARY SCHOOL RECORD

The secondary school record (official high school transcript) must be sent by the school counselor or principal. The transcript should present all the academic work of the candidate through the end of six semesters (end of junior year). Whenever possible, the transcript should indicate the candidate’s most recent class standing and senior course schedule.

Although candidates should rank in the upper third of their graduating classes, the majority of the entering freshmen rank in the upper fifth of their classes. Additional consideration is given to general grade improvement during the junior and senior years with special attention focused on achievement in mathematics, science and English courses. Candidates should present a minimum of 16 units of credit from a secondary school approved by a state or regional accreditation agency.

 English—4 units            Physics—1 unit            Mathematics—4 units (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry)
    Social Sciences—2 units            Elective subjects—4 units             Chemistry—1 unit

The desirable elective subjects can include courses in science, mathematics, history, mechanical drawing, foreign language, speech, and computer programming.

PERSONAL INTERVIEWS

For the freshman class of 2000, the vast majority of the candidates who applied for admission met our requirements for course preparation, testing, and class standing. Obviously, selecting a 385-member class from over 3,000 applications amplifies the important role that non-academic factors play in the final admissions decision. The counselor’s evaluation is one such factor, and the personal interview is the other.

Candidates seeking admission are urged to meet with a member of the admissions staff. This can be arranged in a number of ways:

(1)  By scheduling a campus visit by the candidate

(2)  By visits to the candidate’s school by an admissions representative

(3)  By attending regional information sessions conducted by admissions representatives, faculty or alumni.

By far the most productive method of personal contact is the “on-campus interview,” which, in addition to the interchange of information with an admissions counselor, allows the candidate to evaluate all aspects of the college. Appointments for a campus visit may be made by writing or calling the Admissions Office at 812/877-8213. Weekday office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors should try to schedule appointments for 8:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. during the week.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

    Candidates may support their applications for admission by furnishing the college with additional information which is not asked for on the formal application. This supportive information might include a brief autobiography, reasons for wanting to study engineering or science, career plans after graduation, or even additional character recommendations.

ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS

All candidates for the freshman class are required to take the American College Testing Program’s ACT or the College Entrance Examination Board’s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). No achievement tests of any kind are required by the college.

Candidates are encouraged to take their entrance examinations during the spring of their junior year. Test results should be sent to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology by the testing service at the request of the candidate. However, test results which are included on official secondary school transcripts will be honored by the college.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

An official transcript of the academic record of each applicant is required. A part of this form includes a confidential evaluation by the high school principal, counselor or designated official concerning the candidate’s character, personality, and potential for success in a professional school.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology recognizes the implication of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment) relative to its impact on written evaluations from secondary school counselors. While we respect the policy adopted by some school corporations not to provide written evaluations for admissions candidates, failure to provide this valuable subjective information could diminish the applicant’s chances for an affirmative admissions decision. This information is particularly critical when the candidate has not had a personal interview with an admissions representative.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

A student transferring from another college or university is required to be in “good academic standing.” Credit may be given at Rose-Hulman for work done elsewhere which is considered to be equivalent of the corresponding course at Rose-Hulman if a grade of C or better was earned.

Credits earned elsewhere will be evaluated by the head of the department in which the courses would be taught at Rose-Hulman. Final acceptance of the credit is at the discretion of the head of the department in which the student is seeking a degree.

Students enrolled at Rose-Hulman who plan to take courses at another institution with the intention of transferring the credit to Rose-Hulman should obtain approval in advance from the head of the department concerned. Transfer students may obtain an application by writing to the Office of Admissions, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

During Freshman Orientation Week students are given the opportunity to qualify for advanced placement and/or credit by examination for one or more of the mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering mechanics courses, listed below.

MA 111, 112, 113...............................................................Calculus I, II, III
   CHEM 111, 113, 115..........................................................Chemistry I, II, III
   PH 111................................................................................Physics I
   CS 100................................................................................Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving
   CS 231................................................................................Program & Algorithm Design

Students may also qualify for advanced placement in mathematics by the Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board. Completion of the “AB” examination with a score of 4 or 5 is acceptable for credit in MA 111. Completion of the “BC” examination with a score of 4 or 5 is acceptable for credit in MA 111 and MA 112.

Freshmen with an AP score of 5 qualify automatically for credit for CHEM111, 113, and 115. Those planning to major or minor in chemistry are recommended to enroll in CHEM290 concurrently with CHEM251. Freshmen with an AP score of 4 qualify automatically for enrollment in Honors Chemistry, CHEM112. Such persons wishing to receive credit for all or a portion of the sequence CHEM111, 113, 115 will take the Comprehensive General Chemistry Exam. Based on their score, such persons: (1) will be given credit for all or a portion of this sequence, or (2) will enroll in Honors Chemistry. Freshmen with an AP score of less than 4 or who have no AP score may take the Departmental Placement Exam. Based on their score, such persons: (1) may be encouraged to take the Comprehensive General Chemistry Exam (see above), (2) may qualify to Honors Chemistry, or (3) will enroll in CHEM111. The opportunities to receive full or partial credit for the series CHEM111, 113, 115, or to enroll in Honors Chemistry are entirely optional. Any student may proceed directly to CHEM111 if he or she wishes. A student who earns a 4 or 5 in AP Biology receives 4 hours of credit by examination for AB 101 Essential Biology.

Students may qualify for advanced placement in physics by the Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board. Completion of the Physics “C”: Mechanics examination with a score of 4 is acceptable for credit in PH 111 and completion of the Physics “C”: Electricity & Magnetism examination with a score of 4 is acceptable for credit in PH 112.

Students may qualify for advanced placement in computer science by the Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board. A student who completes the Computer Science A exam with a score of 4 or 5 will receive four hours of credit by exam for CS120 or two hours of credit for CS100 and 2 hours of free elective. A student who completes the Computer Science AB exam with a score of 4 or 5 will receive four credits for CS120 and four credits for CS220.

A student who completes the Advanced Placement Examination in Language and Composition with a score of 4 or 5 receives credit by examination for RH 131, Rhetoric and Composition. A student who completes the Advanced Placement Examination in Language and Literature receives credit by examination for a course in the Rhetoric and Expression (RH) category.