[Corey’s Comments] A Little Change Goes a Long Way in the Class of 2013 Admissions Application

by Corey Alderdice, Assistant Director for Admissions and Public Relations

Activity is picking back up here in Schneider Hall as the full staff returns this morning for the start of a new year.  Things are also picking up in the admissions office (read: my office) as well.  Every year we seem to get a little faster with our work of admitting the next group of students.  Even though the Class of 2012 has yet to arrive on campus, I’m excited to officially announce the availability of the admissions application for the Gatton Academy Class of 2013!

Step-by-step instructions for applying are available via the Admissions page of the Gatton Academy website.  The page will walk you through each part of the admissions application and process.  For the moment, though, I’d like to call your attention to five updates and changes for the Class of 2013.

1.  The deadline for submission of all admissions materials is February 1, 2011.

With an earlier start this year, we have decided to roll the calendar back two weeks for the admissions deadline.  The new deadline will provide our admissions committee with the necessary time to devote to each student’s application.  Notifications for the interview phase will still be sent by email no later than March 1, 2011.

2.  We have revised our policy to allow students with a minimum ACT-Math score of 22 or SAT-Math score of 520 to apply.

The average ACT-Math and Composite scores for incoming students at the Gatton Academy remains 29.  Our research shows that 26 is a competitive score that greatly increases the likelihood of a student’s success in the program.  However, we have also witnessed students with scores between 22 and 24 be highly successful in the program.  The difference is the commitment and work ethic these students possess.  Because many students will be in the midst of Algebra II when taking this ACT later this year, we certainly want to account for that with our minimum test score.

3.  Essay question four is brand new.

I’m most excited about this change.  The University of Chicago is famous for the questions on their “Uncommon App.”  What’s great about their questions is that it provides students with an opportunity to be creative, think outside the box, and write on something beyond very traditional admissions questions.  We think question four provides a variety of opportunities for exploration while allowing the admissions comittee  to see students’ thought processes in a very different way.  Check out the question below.

The Center for Disease Control has reported a zombie outbreak with a confirmed Patient Zero in the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky. From the position of Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, base commander at Fort Knox, or Chief of Medicine at the Bowling Green Medical Center, develop an immediate action plan to deal with the outbreak.

4.  We’ve added an optional “Video Essay” to the application.

Maturity, personality, and individuality are traits that are common among all Gatton Academy students. Grades, essays, and letters of recommendation do not always demonstrate the level of creativity, ingenuity, and talent among our student body. In order to better appreciate applicants as individuals, candidates are invited to submit a video of no more than two minutes in length for the Admissions Committee to review. Videos may be either edited or unedited.  For students who do not have access to the technology to do this, we will have stations set up on Interview Day.  We hope that you’ll really wow us with your entries.

5.  Students now must submit a minimum of two and no more than four letters of recommendation.

Over the last few years, we’ve realized the most fruitful information comes from the letters of recommendation from your math or science teacher as well the counselor, principal, or community leader.  Acquiring these letters of recommendation can often be a challenge for sophomores as they have yet to establish a connection a rapport with a variety of teachers.  With that in mind, students only must submit the two required letters, though you have the opportunity to provide us with up to two more letters from the persons of your choice.

Excited?  We sure are!

Don’t forget to RSVP to attend a Preview Weekend this fall on campus.  Preview Weekends are great opportunity to get to know the students, parents, and staff who truly make the Gatton Academy an “Atypical High School.”  We’ll also conduct a series of Information Sessions throughout the state later this fall.  We’ll share more details as those dates become available.

Until then, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about the admissions process or the Gatton Academy!

Admissions, Atypical High School, Class of 2013, Corey Alderdice, Essay Questions