COLLEGE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

College Information

Students who are interested in attending college should begin planning early in high school. Counselors and the Career Center Advisor are available to help students research their various options and choose the school (four year institution, community college or vocational/technical school) that best fits their interests and needs.

The Career/Counseling Center has various sources of information for students and parents researching college or scholarship opportunities. The Career Center offers college catalogs, videos, view books, applications, SAT and ACT test registrations and preparation materials, financial aid forms and computer programs for students to utilize.

The Career Information System computer program provides three comprehensive programs that students can access to learn about careers, colleges and scholarships available to them. During the fall months, representatives from colleges throughout the U.S. visit with interested students in the Career/Counseling Center.

College Preparatory Testing

Churchill encourages all Sophomores and Juniors to take advantage of college preparatory testing, specifically the PLAN and PSAT tests.

• PLAN is a test devised by the ACT testing service, is given to Sophomores, and measures a student’s abilities and knowledge against a national norm. It is valuable as an introduction to the process of test taking and specifically provides familiarity with the format they will encounter on the ACT college admissions test. The test is offered on a national testing day in mid-October. The cost is approximately $10 and may be paid during Fall registration.

• PSAT is offered to Juniors in mid-October. In addition to measuring performance on a national scale and providing practice in testing formats employed on the SAT college admission test, the PSAT can also qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship competitions. The cost is approximately $15 and students are asked to register during Fall registration.

• SAT I is a test given seven times a year and is composed of a verbal section, a math section and a writing sample. Scores for each range from 200-800, for a possible combined score of 2400. Most students take this exam near the end of their Junior year. They may take it again at the beginning of their Senior year. The SAT is an aptitude test to assess reasoning and acquired skills.

• ACT is a test traditionally preferred in most Midwestern and Southern schools, but is accepted by virtually every college in lieu of the SAT. Some schools will even let you substitute your ACT score for your SAT scores. The ACT contains four sections: English, reading, math and science. Each of these sections are scored on a scale of 1-36, with the composite score the average of these four. The ACT is more subject-based and focuses on material you learn in class while in high school.

• SAT II Subject Tests are a battery of 22 one-hour tests covering six subjects— writing, foreign languages, math, sciences, history and literature. These tests reflect more advanced work in particular subject areas.

CHURCHILL CAREER CENTER — A Resource Center for Students AND Parents focusing on:
Careers & World of Work, 2 & 4-Year Colleges, Vocational & Certificate Programs, Foreign Study & Travel, Military Opportunities
687-3707
Open Monday-Friday during school days from 7:45am – 3:45pm

Academic Preparation

High school grades remain one of the best predictors of success in college, but admissions officers are taking a closer look at the rigor of academic preparation and the kinds of courses a student takes. In the past, some students have elected to take a lighter course schedule in their senior year, having fulfilled college entrance requirements earlier, and/or attempting to achieve a higher GPA. Major colleges and universities want to know why a student chose NOT to take AP courses if they were offered at the student’s high school, or why a student did not retain a heavy academic schedule in their senior year.

Many admissions boards have devised a formula to weight grades in Honors and Advanced Placement courses. For example, the University of California system grants five points for an “A” and four for a “B” in Honors courses. This practice encourages students to take more challenging courses.

Also, remember that extra-curricular activities will still be very important on a student’s record, but not to the exclusion of academic requirements.

OREGON UNIVERSITY SYSTEM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must satisfactorily complete fourteen units (sixteen for UO) of college preparatory work in the following subject areas:

English: (4 units) Shall include the study of the English language, literature, speaking, listening and writing with emphasis on and frequent practice in writing expository prose during all four years.

Mathematics: (3 units) Shall include first year algebra and two additional years of college preparatory mathematics selected from geometry (deductive or descriptive), advanced topics in algebra, trigonometry, analytical geometry, finite mathematics, advanced applications, calculus, probability and statistics or courses that integrate topics from two or more of these areas. (One unit is highly recommended in the senior year. Algebra and geometry taken prior to the ninth grade will be accepted). Students must have completed, at a minimum, the Algebra II level (or equivalent) or higher to meet the math requirement.

Science: (2 units) Shall include a year each in two fields of college preparatory science, such as biology, chemistry, physics or earth and physical science. One unit is recommended to be a laboratory science.

Social Studies: (3 units) Shall include one year of U.S. history, one year of global studies (world history, geography, etc.) and one year of a social studies elective (government strongly recommended).

Second Language: (2 units) Two years of the same high school level second language, or a C- or above in the third year of a high school level language, or two terms of a college level second language with a grade of C- or above, or satisfactory performance on an approved assessment of a second language knowledge and/or proficiency. Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) is acceptable in meeting the second language requirement.

Additional Academic Elective: (2 units) UO only

Private and other out-of-state colleges and universities: Because of increasing pressure for college admission, it is essential that college planning begin early. Selective private and public colleges and universities vary admission criteria. Students must investigate entrance requirements early to insure adequate planning time to enroll in necessary coursework. Counselors and the Career Center Advisor can assist students in locating specific college catalogs outlining requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: 2003-04 ACADEMIC YEAR

Freshman Admission

Freshman Admission (residents & nonresidents)	UO	OSU	PSU	SOU	WOU	EOU	OIT
High School Graduation	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
High School GPA	3.25	3.00	3.00	2.75	2.75	3.00	3.00
Subject Requirements Units (4 English, 3 Math, 2 Science, 3 Social Studies and 2 Second Language)	16 Yes	14 Yes	14 Yes	14 Yes	14 Yes	14 Yes	14 Yes
SAT I/ACT Scores*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

• Minimum SAT I scores are not required but score results must be submitted and may be used for alternative or selective admission.

General Requirements

The general entrance requirements to enter a University System institution includes graduation from a standard or accredited high school with a satisfactory grade point average and the satisfactory completion of 14 or 16 units of specified subject requirements. (See specific requirements and alternatives below) Public high school students must graduate from a standard and/or accredited high school. Private high school students must graduate from an accredited high school.

While these are and will be the basic requirements, there may also be different or additional admission requirements for special programs, selective departments, or certain professional schools. Be sure students check the program they intend to enter for any special admission requirements.