Admissions:
First Year Student
A first-year student is any student from the U.S. who has not taken college-level classes since the summer following high school graduation. If you match these requirements, use the following steps to apply for admission.
How to Apply to Goshen College
- Apply to Goshen College
- Send your high school transcript.
- Send your SAT or ACT score (OPTIONAL)
- NOTE: Goshen College has a test-optional admissions policy for first-year applicants. You can indicate on your admissions application whether you’d like your SAT/ACT test results considered in your admissions decision. If you wish to submit your test scores, Goshen’s SAT code is 1251 and ACT code is 1196.
- Send in AP, IB or CLEP credits (if you have them).
Important Deadlines
Dec. 15: Priority application deadline (to be eligible to apply for achievement scholarships, our top awards. You will need to have applied to GC and submitted your official transcript and test scores prior to applying for the scholarships.)
Jan. 1: Achievement scholarship application deadline (You will need to have applied to GC and submitted your transcript and test scores prior to applying for the scholarships. Separate scholarship applications required for many of these awards. Learn more.)
April 1 (extended March 1): Priority deadline for submitting the FAFSA.
Additional Admissions Information
Goshen College seeks to enroll students who are prepared for a challenging academic college program that will prepare them for a successful career after they graduate. High school courses, grades, test scores (if provided), and students’ personal experiences are important factors in the admission decision.
Recommended High School Courses:
Graduation from an accredited high school is required for admission into Goshen College, along with the following recommended college preparatory courses.
- English: 4 units
- Mathematics: 2-4 units
- Science: 2-3 units (pre-nursing students must have one unit of high-school chemistry with a grade of “C” or higher, or its college equivalent)
- Social Studies: 2-3 units
- Foreign Language: 2-4 units
- GED: Average score of 500 or above on each of the sub-scores for tests taken after 2002.
College-Level Credit During High School:
Applicants with Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, or other college-level credit should submit official score reports or transcripts to Goshen College.
Additional Consideration for Student Admission:
Students not meeting our full college admission standards are still encouraged to apply for admission. Goshen College takes a holistic approach to admission decisions and will consider the merit of each applicant’s academic record on an individual basis. Additional application materials may be requested so that we can learn as much as we need to make our admission decision.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with diagnosed learning disabilities, who are otherwise qualified for admission to Goshen College, must provide documentation of their specific learning differences to the director of the Academic Success Center in order to receive reasonable accommodation.
Tips for High School Students
Basically, the PSAT is the world’s most comprehensive practice test. You should study for it, definitely, but don’t stress out too much – because the purpose of this test is to prepare you for the SAT (or PLAN as pre-ACT). You should make an appointment with your high school counselor in the fall to register for the PSAT. Your counselor can also help you find practice tests (many are online) and give you some helpful hints about test-taking strategy. And remember: PSAT scores from your sophomore year don’t count toward National Merit Scholarship eligibility, but PSAT scores from your junior year do count. So, this year it really is all about “practice makes perfect.” Studies have shown that taking the PSAT for the first time as a sophomore means you’re more likely to get a higher score the second time around.
In general, you should be taking the most challenging courses possible. Advanced Placement and/or Honors classes look great on your transcript and will help you be a better college candidate.Most colleges require you to take a certain number of foundation classes – math, science, English, etc. Your high school counselor can help make sure that your schedule is up to snuff, but it’s also a good idea to check with the specific colleges regarding their requirements. And if your grades freshman year were less than stellar, don’t panic. In general, colleges like to see a progression of improvement from freshman through senior year. So, this is the year to hit the books – and start getting those grades up! Try to maintain a 3.0 GPA with grades of A and B in high school classes because these grades turn into opportunities for college scholarships.
Take some time to think about what you want out of your college experience. Would you be happier at a big university, a small college or a two-year technical college? Do you care about intercollegiate athletics – or are art and music facilities more important to you? High school counselors can also help you research colleges of interest and schedule your classes accordingly.
Take small steps now so there is less to do when it’s time. Create an organization system for all your college documents now so that you have them all in one place when you need them later.
The best way to know if a college or university is really for you is to visit campus and get a feel for the people and the environment. If you can’t go in person, most campuses offer virtual tour options.
Grades and test scores are important, but so are extracurricular activities. Colleges want well-rounded students, and they LOVE to see that you care about stuff outside the classroom, too. Now is a great time to volunteer in your community, as well as staying active in whatever it is you love to do: sports, art, theater, music, etc.
Do you like working with people? Do you want to travel as part of your jobs? Are your a words or numbers person? What jobs sound interesting or exciting to you?
Find out the college major that is recommended for the careers you are interested in and what colleges offer the major. Don’t know where to start? Check out our majors quiz
High School College Planning Timeline
Junior Year
- Attend college fairs to pick up materials on potential colleges and sign up for their mailing list.
- Prepare to take the PSAT a second time.
- Take the PSAT. And remember: Junior year PSAT scores aren’t sent to colleges, but they do count for National Merit Scholarship eligibility. Based on your PSAT scores, you’ll know what to work on for the SAT or ACT, which you’ll take in the spring.
- Plan your senior year classes.
- Make appointments to visit your top choice colleges during the spring semester.
- Review your results from the PSAT with your high school counselor because top scores may be eligible for specific scholarships from colleges.
- Register to take the SAT and ACT test at least one month prior to the exam date; there is a cost for each test (note: Goshen College is test-optional). Talk with your high school counselor.
- Narrow down your college choices.
- Visit your top college choices. You could read every college guide out there, but until you spend some time on actual campuses, you won’t have a real “feel” for the colleges you’re considering. Most colleges offer a few different visit options. Learn more about visiting Goshen »
- Take both the SAT and ACT to see which one gives you better results. Make sure you know which colleges and universities should receive your scores. (Each college has its own SAT or ACT code; while Goshen College is test-optional, if you’d like to send us your scores, Goshen’s SAT code is 1251 and ACT code is 1196.)
- Begin searching for scholarship options. We recommend fastweb.com and brokescholar.com. And attend a financial aid night to learn the basics of financial aid.
- Start filling out college applications for your top schools at this time to save yourself a lot of time in the busy fall of your senior year. Acquaint yourself with the Common Application to see what is required for your application. Goshen doesn’t start admitting students until the early fall of your senior year, but you are welcome to apply early. To apply to Goshen, take these steps!
Senior Year
- Complete and submit college applications for admission. (Consider the deadlines.)
- Complete your college visits.
- You can file your FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) beginning Oct. 1. Specify 001799 as the code number for Goshen College.
- Talk with college representatives that visit your high school.
- Research scholarships. Ask your high school counselor, your college admissions counselors, and your religious/civic groups about scholarship opportunities. You should never pay for scholarship information.
- Create a checklist and calendar to chart:
- Standardized test dates, registration deadlines, and fees
- College application due dates
- Financial aid application forms and deadlines
- Other materials you’ll need for college applications (recommendations, transcripts, essays, etc.)
- Your high school’s application processing deadlines
- Retake the SAT and ACT to raise your scores and have the results sent to your top choice colleges (note: Goshen College is test-optional). Learn more here >>
- Complete and submit college applications for admission. (Consider the deadlines.)
- Request official transcripts be mailed to the schools where you are applying.
- Apply for academic, athletic, and other achievement scholarships from the schools where you have been accepted. (Consider the deadlines.)
- Receive your acceptance letters from colleges you applied to.
- Complete and submit the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) before the deadline for the schools you are considering (NOTE: Goshen College’s priority FAFSA deadline is March 1). If you need assistance, attend College Goal Sunday in your local area.
- Complete any other financial aid forms required by your top choice colleges.
- Review your acceptances, compare financial aid packages and visit your final choices, especially if you haven’t already. Make final decision on what college to attend.
- Send in your enrollment deposit to your top choice college or university.
- Finalize financial aid paperwork and decide on payment plan option.
- Congrats on graduating from high school!
- Begin orientation.
- Have your high school send your final transcript to your college of choice.
- Send in residence life information, health forms and other required paperwork.
- Start packing.
- If living on-campus, talk with your roommate to decide who will be bringing what items.
- If living off-campus, find out about commuter student resources such as lounges, computer labs and parking.
- Congratulations! It’s time to start college!