Catawba College Announces Enhanced Initiatives to Assist Applicants

SALISBURY, NC – As an institution committed to educational access and opportunity, Catawba College is excited to announce a range of enhanced initiatives aimed at reducing college application and enrollment barriers.

In initiatives that began December 1, applicants will be evaluated using their completed application and official high school transcript; part of the application will now include a section for students to self-report their standardized test scores. While students will still need to submit a formal proof of score prior to enrollment, it is no longer required for admission.

Catawba College recognizes that students applying to college often face a number of hurdles throughout the process, and the cost of sending a test score shouldn’t be one of them. Elaine Holden, vice president for Enrollment, is pleased the Admissions Office continues to look for ways to engage students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

"For at least six years, Catawba has been a test-optional institution, and now we continue to build upon the mission of providing access and opportunity for all students to have an education rich in personal attention,” Holden says. “We do not want the cost associated with submitting test scores to hinder students in receiving an admission decision or merit scholarships. We want deserving students to know that Catawba is an exciting option for their future; one where they can reach their highest potential!"

As Holden points out, test scores are not mandatory for all students. Applicants with a weighted GPA of 3.25 or higher are eligible to apply as “test-optional,” which allows them to submit materials such a résumé, letter of recommendation, and essay instead of a standardized test score. Many high school students are remarkably bright in and out of the classroom, but are not high-achieving test takers. The test-optional initiative is designed with those students in mind.

With generous funding from an anonymous donor, applicants interested in History or Environmental Studies will see increased scholarship opportunities ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per year. Applicants also still have time to audition for departmental scholarships in the areas of Theatre and Music.

As a college recognized for serving a high percentage of low-income and first-generation students, the Office of Admission and Financial Aid closely examined and refined their awarding strategy. Kelli Hand, director of Financial Aid, notes, “These changes will result in more opportunities for funding need-based scholarships, allowing a wider range of students to allow their Catawba dream to become reality.”

Catawba College is proud to work with students from all nations, backgrounds, and citizenship status to offer an education which prepares students for their personal and professional life. Through new strategies for self-reporting test scores and increased scholarship offerings, Catawba hopes to remain a college distinguished by the community it has created through the students it serves.

Featured

  • Kimball Showroom Earns WELL Certified Platinum Distinction

    Commercial furnishings company Kimball International recently announced that its showroom in New York City has achieved WELL Certification at the Platinum level as dictated by the International WELL Building Institute, according to a news release. The certification demonstrates a continuing commitment to creating environments that promote health, well-being, and productivity.

  • Allegion US Partners with Two Colleges for Mobile Credential Technology

    Allegion US recently announced a partnership with Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Denison College, in conjunction with Transact + CBORD, to install mobile credential technologies campus-wide, according to a news release. Implementing Mobile Student ID into Apple Wallet and Google Wallet will allow students access to campus facilities, amenities, and residence halls using just their phones.

  • Anderson Brulé Architects Rebrands as ABA Studios

    Anderson Brulé Architects, based in San Jose, Calif., recently announced that it is celebrating 40 years of service by rebranding under a new name, according to a news release. The architectural, interior design, and planning firm will now be known as ABA Studios to refresh its identity underneath a new generation of leadership.

  • Delta State University Completes Renovations to School of Nursing Facilities

    Delta State University recently completed a major expansion and renovation project for the Robert E. Smith School of Nursing facilities on its campus in Cleveland, Miss., according to a news release. The project includes about 14,000 square feet of new construction and more than 21,000 square feet of renovation work to the existing space.

Digital Edition