Admissions Information

Springfield College attracts students motivated to serve others. Applicants need to be sensitive to this and supportive of the educational philosophy and focus of the College.

The Springfield College student is selected on the basis of leadership potential, character, and intellectual ability. The Office of Admissions seeks those who possess personal qualities required in the human-helping professions. Reasonable accommodations are provided for students with disabilities on the basis of need if the disabilities are documented with appropriate evaluations administered by qualified professionals such as psychologists, medical doctors, or agencies specializing in the diagnosis of such disabilities.

This document contains information about the following topics:

• Guidelines for Learning Disability Documentation
• Time For Applying
• Admissions Deadlines
• First-Year Student Admissions Policy
• Requirements
• Applying For Admission
• Admissions Staff Review
• Conditional Acceptance
• Defrerred Admission
• Early Decision
• New Student Orientation Week
• Re-Admission
• Changes in Admission
  
   
• For additional information, you may also click here to go to the Admissions home page

In order to determine eligibility for services, students are asked to submit documentation for the purpose of determining appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids. The following guidelines are provided to ensure that the evaluation reports are appropriate to document eligibility and determine reasonable accommodations:

1. Testing must be comprehensive and address aptitude, achievement, and information processing.
2. Testing must be current (within last three years).
3. Testing must show clear and specific evidence and identification of a learning disability.

It is the student’s responsibility to self-identify and request support services. In addition to the foregoing, many of the College’s departments have established technical standards which describe essential functions and which must be maintained to participate in that department.

In an effort to be responsive to students who are sincerely interested in Springfield College, the Office of Admissions welcomes applications and supporting credentials from students upon completion of the junior year in high school. For those highly qualified students who indicate Springfield College as their first choice, there is an early decision program. For all other candidates, the Office of Admissions will attempt to make a decision as soon as sufficient evidence has been provided to indicate a candidate’s appropriateness for the College.

Because Springfield College is one of the many institutions subscribing to the Candidate’s Reply Date Agreement, it is necessary to have decisions made on all first-year candidates for September admission by the third week in April. In accordance with this agreement, accepted students must indicate their intention of enrollment with the payment of a nonrefundable acceptance fee of $200 by May 1. No accepted first-year candidate (except those applying for early decision) is required to make such a commitment before this date. At this time, all accepted candidates who have not yet paid this fee will be withdrawn. It should be understood, however, that the acceptance fee cannot be waived nor can it be credited from any financial aid awarded. It must be a check or money-order payment. If necessary to complete the class, other offers of admission will be made to candidates in a group held for deferred action.

Selection is based on the total preparation of the student. The final selection of an applicant is an individual decision. Many factors are considered, and among those given serious consideration are: secondary school achievement record; recommendation of secondary school authorities; motivation toward a career in the youth, community, and international service fields; capacity for leadership as evidenced by responsibilities successfully undertaken in school, church, and/or community; performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Testing Program (ACT); and personal references.

1. An application on the form provided by the Office of Admissions, submitted within dates indicated above.
2. A record indicating satisfactory achievement in a college preparatory program in an accredited secondary school. The course distribution should show competence in English, social studies, science, and mathematics. Due to the professional nature of many of Springfield Colleges programs, the evaluation of a candidates high school record will be favorably affected by an emphasis on courses that relate to the students intended major. For instance, candidates planning to major in applied exercise science, athletic training, biology, health studies, physical education, physical therapy, or physician assistant should include additional sciences in their high school curriculum.
3. Evidence of involvement in extracurricular activities. Since Springfield College seeks to educate those interested in human service careers, involvement in out-of-class experience is not only desired but also necessary for all candidates. This is viewed as evidence of motivation for the major chosen. School activities (clubs and teams), community activities (churches, public or private agencies), summer or weekend activities, or any experience that manifests the candidates desire for involvement with people are considered. For those anticipating employment in the teaching field, experience as a teacher, informal though it may be and even though called by some other name (counselor, aide, leader, etc.), is appropriate. Those planning on careers in physical education should demonstrate experience in sport activities as well. Other career programs at Springfield College should be preceded by appropriate relevant experience.
4. A physical examination and immunization record is required after acceptance. The medical form must be returned prior to enrollment.
5. The results of the SAT (these will be received directly from the College Entrance Examination Board) or the ACT (these will be received directly from the American College Testing Program).
6. For applicants to the art curriculum, a portfolio of artwork. This should be sent to the chairperson of the Visual and Performing Arts Department by April 1.

1. Communicate with the Office of Admissions for necessary forms.
2. File the completed application with the required $50 application fee (nonrefundable) at the Office of Admissions. It should not be sent to any person other than the director of admissions. All credentials should be mailed to: Springfield College, Office of Admissions, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109-3797.
3. All other necessary forms, including a secondary school report form for distribution and completion, are included in the application packet provided in the back of the Colleges Undergraduate Admissions Viewbook. Candidates should follow all instructions carefully, accurately, and completely. Mistakes, incomplete information, or illegible entries all serve to delay the final decision. Additional application packets can be obtained by contacting the Springfield College Office of Admissions by phone at (413) 748-3136 or (800) 343-1257; by e-mail at admissions@spfldcol.edu; or by writing to Springfield College, Office of Admissions, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109-3797.
4. The College encourages as many candidates as possible to visit the campus. However, students may arrange for an interview in their own community or nearby area. Springfield College is fortunate to have active, specially trained alumni who serve as interviewers in their local communities. The candidate should contact the Office of Admissions for an off-campus interview if this is preferable.

Appointments for on-campus interviews can be scheduled between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Candidates should either write or call for an appointment. The Office of Admissions is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for scheduled interviews from October to February. General information sessions for students and parents take place in the Office of Admissions at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. each Saturday from October to February. Due to a limited number of available interviews on Saturday mornings, candidates should request an appointment in advance of their visit.

Arrangements should be made to take the SAT or the ACT. During the 2005-2006 academic year, the SAT will be given on the following dates (among others):

October 8, 2005 November 5, 2005 December 3, 2005 January 28, 2006

Students who take the ACT should check with their secondary school guidance counselor for test dates.

The admissions staff begin reviewing applications as they become complete. Hence, it is advantageous for all candidates to complete their folders as soon as possible. Final decisions, however, will be made no later than the third week in April on all first-year candidates whose folders are completed by April 15.

All applicants who are accepted before completion of their current year in secondary school should understand that acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of that year.

An applicant will be considered for conditional acceptance to Springfield College if she or he is in good standing and has met all admission requirements except proof of English proficiency as determined by a minimum recommended TOEFL score of 525. Although unavailable in certain programs, the conditional acceptance generally will be available to those applicants who have scored between 425 and 524 on the TOEFL.

A conditionally accepted student will be granted full matriculation upon successful completion of either the ESOL 250-251 or ESOL 260-261 course sequences, or the TOEFL examination. Each conditionally accepted student must also obtain a letter of recommendation from an ESOL faculty member.

Life experience outside of an academic environment and prior to continuing ones formalized learning at the collegiate level can be stimulating and beneficial. For this reason, Springfield College will consider, on an individual basis, requests for deferment of acceptance for one academic year. Due to the selective nature of the admissions process, however, it cannot be guaranteed in every situation. Consideration for such deferment is given until May 1 for a plan of activity for broadening the experience and general education of the individual. Enrollment in another institution, other than for language study in a foreign country, is not allowed. The College expects at least one report during the year from any student so deferred. Arrangements for these reports are to be made at the time of considering the request.

If the deferment is granted, the acceptance is extended to the following September only. The $200 nonrefundable deposit is due no later than May 1 of the year preceding enrollment.

Highly qualified students whose first choice is Springfield College may request consideration for early decision. For consideration, the application must be filed by December 1, and all other supporting credentials must be furnished by January 1. The financial aid deadline is January 30, with decisions being made by February 15. A nonrefundable $200 acceptance fee is due March 1. In cases where acceptance is not granted, the credentials will be kept and updated for a decision in the normal process. Acceptance via the early decision process is binding. It is expected that applications to other colleges or universities will be withdrawn if the candidate is accepted to Springfield College and, if qualified, receives a favorable financial aid award.

First-year and undergraduate transfer students come to campus for a three-day orientation immediately prior to the start of their first semester. The New Student Orientation program gives new students an introduction to the College and to the local community, in addition to preparing them for true-life experiences on the Springfield College campus. A group of upper-class leaders assist during this program. Notification of orientation dates is given upon receipt of the admissions deposit.

Students who have separated from the College for two or more consecutive semesters must be re-admitted. Re-admission to the College must be effected through the Office of Admissions unless arrangements have been made with the dean of students prior to separation.

An interview with the director of admissions is a requirement for re-admission. Substantiation by the student of the appropriateness of readmission must be given in writing; at least one reference is required; and, in nearly all cases, a new medical report must be submitted to update records already on file.

Initially, submission of the students letter of substantiation or arrangements for the interview must be made no later than the beginning of the semester prior to the one in which re-enrollment is desired. All supporting papers must be received no later than four weeks prior to the intended enrollment date. A $200 acceptance fee is requested within four weeks after the date of the acceptance letter. The fee is applied to tuition and is nonrefundable.

The College reserves the right to make whatever changes in admission requirements, fees, charges, tuition, instructors, regulations, and academic programs in its sole discretion prior to the start of any class, term, semester, trimester, or session. The College also reserves the right to divide, cancel, or reschedule classes or programs if enrollment or other factors so require.