Coverage.
Boise State University, College of Southern Idaho, Eastern Idaho Technical College, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, North Idaho College and The University of Idaho are included in this subsection. The College of Southern Idaho and North Idaho College are exempted from certain provisions of this admission policy as determined by their local boards of trustees.
Purposes.
The purposes of the admission policies are to:
a. promote institutional policies which meet or exceed minimum statewide standards for admission to higher education institutions;
b. inform students of the academic and applied technology degree expectations of postsecondary-level work;
c. improve the quality of academic and applied technology degree preparation for postsecondary programs;
d. enhance student access to academic and applied technology degree programs; and
e. admit to postsecondary education institutions those students for whom there is a reasonable likelihood of success.
Policies.
The college and universities must, with prior Board approval, establish institutional policies which meet or exceed the following minimum admission standards. Additional and more rigorous requirements also may be established by the college and universities for admission to specific programs, departments, schools, or colleges within the institutions. Consistent with institutional policies, admission decisions may be appealed by applicants to the institutional admissions committee.
Academic College and University Regular Admission.
A degree-seeking student with fewer than fourteen (14) credits of postsecondary work must complete each of the minimum requirements listed below. (International students and those seeking postsecondary professional-technical studies are exempt.)
a. Submit scores received on the ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and/or other standardized diagnostic tests as determined by the institution. These scores will be required of applicants graduating from high school in 1989 or later. Exceptions include applicants who have reached the age of 21. These applicants are subject to each institution's testing requirements.
b. Graduate from an accredited high school and complete the courses below with a 2.00 grade point average. Applicants who graduate from high school in 1989 or later will be subject to the admission standards at the time of their graduation.
| Subject Area | Minimum Requirement |
Select From These Subject Areas |
| English | 8 credits | Composition, Literature |
| Math | 6 credits | A minimum of six (6) credits, including Applied Math I or Algebra I; Geometry or Applied Math II or III; and Algebra II. A total of 8 credits are strongly recommended.
Courses not identified by traditional titles, i.e., Algebra I or Geometry, may be used as long as they contain all of the critical components (higher math functions) prescribed by the State Mathematics Achievement Standards. Other courses may include Probability, Discrete Math, Analytic Geometry, Calculus, Statistics, and Trigonometry. Four (4) of the required mathematics credits must be taken in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. |
| Social Science | 5 credits | American Government (state and local), Geography, U.S. History, and World History.Other courses may be selected from Economics (Consumer Economics if it includes components as recommended by the State Department of Education), Psychology, and Sociology. |
| Natural Science | 6 credits | Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Geology. Physiology, Physics, Physical Science, Zoology. A maximum of two (2) credits may be derived from vocational science courses jointly approved by the State Department of Education and the State Division of Professional-Technical Education, and/or Applied Biology, and/or Applied Chemistry. (maximum of two (2) credits).Must have laboratory science experience in at least two (2) credits.A laboratory science course is defined as one in which at least one (1) class period per week is devoted to providing students with the opportunity to manipulate equipment, materials, or specimens; to develop skills in observation and analysis; and to discover, demonstrate, illustrate, or test scientific principles or concepts. |
| Humanities Foreign Language | 2 credits | Literature, History, Philosophy, Fine Arts (if the course includes components recommended by the State Department of Education, i.e., theory, history appreciation and evaluation), and inter-disciplinary humanities (related study of two or more of the traditional humanities disciplines). History courses beyond those required for state high school graduation may be counted toward this category. |
| Other College Prepration | 3 credits | Speech or Debate (no more than one (1) credit). Debate must be taught by a certified teacher. Studio/Performing Arts (art, dance, drama, and music). Foreign Language (beyond any foreign language credit applied in the Humanities/Foreign Language category). State Division of Professional-Technical Education-approved classes (no more than two (2) credits) in Agricultural science and technology, business and office education, health occupations education, family and consumer sciences education, occupational family and consumer sciences education, technology education, marketing education, trade, industrial, and technical education, and individualized occupational training. |
| Class | ACT English Score |
SAT English Score |
AP Exam | COMPASS English Score |
| English 90 | <17 | >200 | NA | 0-67 |
| English 101 | 18-24 | >450 | NA | 68-94 |
| English 101 Credit English 102 Placement |
25-30 | >570 | 3 or 4 | 95-99 |
| Credit English 101 Credit & English 102 |
>31 | >700 | >5 | NA |
| Class | ACT Math Score |
SAT Math Score |
COMPASS Math Score |
| Math 123 Math 127 Math 130 |
<19 | >460 | Algebra > 45 |
| Math 143 Math 147 Math 253 Math 254 |
>23 | >540 | Algebra >61 |
| Math 144 Math 160 |
>27 | >620 | College Algebra >51 |
| Math 170 | >19 | >650 | College Algebra >51 Trigonometry >51 |
NOTES:
In all cases, one credit is defined as a course taken with a minimum of 70 hours of classroom instruction.
If a high school does not offer a required course, applicants may contact the institutional admission officer for clarification of provisional admission procedures.
High school credit counted in one (1) category (e.g., Humanities/Foreign Language) may not count in another category.
Each high school in Idaho has a list of approved courses, which count toward college/university admission.
Academic College and University Conditional Admission.
It is the Board's intent that a student seeking conditional admission to any public postsecondary institution must take at least two (2) testing indicators that will allow the institution to assess competency and placement.
a. Submit scores received on ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) prior to enrollment. Effective fall semester 1989.
b. Effective fall semester 1989, a degree-seeking applicant who does not qualify for admission based on 4.b above but who satisfies one (1) of the criteria below, may be asked to petition the institutional director of admissions.
(1) A high school graduate from an accredited secondary school who has not completed the Board's Admission Standards core and has a predicted college GPA of 2.00 based on ACT, SAT and/or ACT COMPASS at the institution to which the student is seeking admission.
(2) Students who graduate from non-accredited secondary schools or home schools must have a predicted college GPA of 2.00 based on the ACT or SAT at the institution to which the student is seeking admission. In addition, the student must have an acceptable performance on one (1) of the following two (2) testing indicators: (a) GED (General Educational Development) Test; or (b) other standardized diagnostic tests such as the ACT COMPASS, ASSET, or CPT.
(3) Deserves special consideration by the institution, e.g., disadvantaged or minority students, delayed entry students, returning veterans, or talented students wishing to enter college early.
NOTE: Regarding the ACT/SAT, this requirement is for students who graduated from high school in 1989 or later. Students who have graduated prior to 1989 or who have reached the age of 21 at the time of application are subject to each institution's testing requirements for admission.
c. If admitted, the student must enroll with conditional standing and is subject to the institutional grade retention/probation/dismissal policies; excepting that a student with conditional standing may change to regular admission status upon satisfactory completion of fourteen (14) baccalaureate-level credits, twelve (12) of which must be in four (4) different subject areas of the general education requirements of the institution the student is attending. Regular admission status must be attained within three (3) registration periods or the student will be dismissed, subject to institutional committee appeal procedures.
Accelerated Learning Program Students
Those secondary students who wish to be admitted under the Accelerated Learning Program (e.g., dual enrollment, Tech Prep, etc.) must follow the procedures outlined in the Board's Policy on Accelerated Learning Programs. See Section III, Subsection Y.
Transfer Admission.
a. Effective fall semester 1989, a degree-seeking student with fourteen (14) or more semester hours of transferable baccalaureate-level credit from another college or university and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher may be admitted. A student not meeting this requirement may petition the institutional director of admissions. If admitted, the student must enroll on probation, meet all conditions imposed by the institutional admissions committee, and complete the first semester with a 2.00 GPA or higher, or be dismissed.
b. The community colleges work cooperatively with the college and universities to ensure that transfer students have remedied any high school deficiencies, which may have prevented them from entering four-year institutions directly from high school.
Compliance and Periodic Evaluation.
The Board will establish a mechanism for:
a. monitoring institutional compliance with the admission standards;
b. conducting and reporting periodic analyses of the impact, problems, and benefits of the admission standards; and
c. providing information as necessary and appropriate from the college and universities to the secondary schools and community colleges on the academic performance of former students.
Technical Education Admissions
a. Open Enrollment.
Idaho's postsecondary institutions that deliver professional-technical education practice open enrollment in the technical programs. Anyone who needs education services that can be provided by the institution is allowed to enter the system at some level.
b. Admission Standards.
Regular or Conditional admission standards apply to individuals who seek a technical certificate or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree through a professional-technical program. The admission standards and placement criteria do not apply to Workforce Development, Farm Management, Truck Driving, Apprenticeship, and Fire and Emergency Service courses/programs.
c. Placement Tests.
Placement test scores indicating potential for success are generally required for enrollment in a professional-technical program of choice. Placement score requirements vary according to the program.
d. Professional-Technical Educational System
The professional-technical programs are offered at the following locations:
Region I Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College
Region II Lewiston, Lewis-Clark State College
Region III Boise, Boise State University
Region IV Twin Falls, College of Southern Idaho
Region V Pocatello, Idaho State University
Region VI Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College
e. Purposes
(1) Clarify the importance of career planning and preparation: high school students should be actively engaged in career planning prior to entering the 9th grade. Career planning assures that students have sufficient information about self and work requirements to adequately design an education program to reach their career goals.
(2) Emphasize that professional-technical courses in high school, including tech prep and work-based learning connected to school-based learning, are beneficial to students seeking continued education in professional-technical programs at the postsecondary level.
(3) Clarify the kind of educational preparation necessary to successfully enter and complete postsecondary studies. Mathematics and science are essential for successful performance in many professional-technical programs. Programs of a technical nature generally require greater preparation in applied mathematics and laboratory sciences.
(4) Clarify that professional-technical programs of one or two years in length may require additional time if applicants lack sufficient educational preparation.
f. Professional Technical Regular Admission.
Students desiring Regular Admission to any of Idaho's technical colleges must meet the following standards. Students planning to enroll in programs of a technical nature are also strongly encouraged to complete the recommended courses shown in shaded areas. Placement in a specific professional-technical program is based on the capacity of the program and placement requirements established by the technical college/program.
(1) Standards for high school graduates of 1997 and thereafter
(a) High School diploma with a minimum 2.0 GPA* ; and,
(b) Placement examination** (CPT, ACT COMPASS, ACT, SAT or other diagnostic/placement tests as determined by the institution. CPT or ACT COMPASS scores may also be used to determine placement eligibility for specific professional-technical programs.); and,
(c) Satisfactory completion of high school coursework that includes at least the following:
(i) Mathematics -- 4 credits (6 credits recommended) from challenging math sequences of increasing rigor selected from courses such as Algebra I, Geometry, Applied Math I, II, and III, Algebra II, Trigonometry, Discrete Math, Statistics, and other higher level math courses. Two (2) mathematics credits must be taken in the 11th or 12th grade. (After 1998, less rigorous math courses taken in grades 10-12, such as pre-algebra, review math, and remedial math, shall not be counted.)
(ii) Natural Science -- 4 credits (6 credits recommended, with 4 credits in laboratory science) including at least 2 credits of laboratory science from challenging science courses including applied biology/chemistry, principles of technology (applied physics), anatomy, biology, earth science, geology, physiology, physical science, zoology, physics, chemistry, and agricultural science and technology courses (500 level and above).
(iii) English -- 8 credits. Applied English in the Workplace may be counted for English credit.
(iv) Other -- Professional-technical courses, including Tech Prep sequences and organized work-based learning experiences connected to the school-based curriculum, are strongly recommended. (High School Work Release time not connected to the school-based curriculum will not be considered.)
(2) Standards for others Seeking Regular Admission
Individuals who graduated from high school, received their GED prior to 1997, or who are at least 21 years old ' and who desire Regular Admission to the technical colleges must complete:
(a) High School diploma with a minimum 2.0 GPA
- or -(b) General Educational Development (GED) certificate
- and -(c) Placement examination (CPT, ACT COMPASS, SAT or other diagnostic/placement tests as determined by the institutions. CPT or ACT COMPASS scores may also be used to determine placement eligibility for specific professional-technical programs.)
*An institution may choose to substitute a composite index placement exam score and high school GPA for the GPA admission requirement.
**If accommodations are required to take the placement exam(s) because of a disability, please contact the College to which you are interested in applying.
Professional Technical Conditional Admission.
Students who do not meet all the requirements for regular admission may apply to a technical program under conditional admission. Students who are conditionally admitted must successfully complete appropriate remedial, general and/or technical education coursework related to the professional-technical program for which regular admission status is desired, and to demonstrate competence with respect to that program through methods and procedures established by the technical college. Students desiring Conditional Admission must complete:
a. High School diploma or GED certificate
- and -
b. Placement examination (CPT, ACT COMPASS, SAT or other diagnostic/placement tests as determined by the institutions. CPT or ACT COMPASS scores may also be used to determine placement eligibility for specific professional-technical programs.)
Professional Technical Early Admission.
High school Tech Prep students may also be admitted as non-degree seeking beginning in the 11th grade. Diploma and placement exams are not required for regular or conditional admission until the student has completed the 12th grade.
Professional Technical Placement Criteria: Procedures for Placement into Specific Professional-Technical Programs.
In addition to the requirements for admission to a technical program, students need to be aware that specific professional-technical programs require different levels of competency in English, science and mathematics. Students must also be familiar with the demands of a particular occupation and how that occupation matches individual career interests and goals. Therefore, before students can enroll in a specific program, the following placement requirements must be satisfied:
a. Each technical program establishes specific program requirements (including placement exam scores) that must be met before students can enroll in those programs. A student who does not meet the established requirements for the program of choice will have the opportunity to participate in remedial education to improve their skills.
b. Students should provide evidence of a career plan. (It is best if this plan is developed throughout high school prior to seeking admission to a technical college.)
Some of the documents here are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader format. A copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader or plug-in for your browsers is required to read these documents. One can be obtained free of charge by visiting the following website: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html