Clarkson School Admissions Policy and Procedures

The Clarkson School is designed for individuals who have demonstrated high levels of achievement in their academic work, personal maturity, and engagement in extracurricular activities. In order to determine whether a student is ready for the early college experience at The Clarkson School, we consider academic preparation as evidenced in the cumulative GPA, rank in class, standardized test scores, and the rigor of the curriculum the student has taken. A great deal of attention is given to the letters of recommendation to see if the writer feels that the student is prepared for the early college experience. A personal interview is also highly recommended.

The Clarkson School accepts high school students, and international and home-schooled students. Please see the relevant sections below for eligibility and application process.

The Clarkson School adopts a rolling admissions procedure, which means that once a student’s folder is determined complete, the Admission Committee evaluates and makes a decision on acceptance. The Committee’s decision can be any of the following: accept, accept with conditions, deny, or place the student on a waiting list. If the student is placed on a waiting list, we are typically looking for improvement in a particular area
prior to making a final decision. An example would be waiting for the student’s next ten week marking period grades, or waiting for the results of an ACT or SAT test the student is scheduled to take.

The application deadline is June 1 and we typically will review a completed application portfolio within 7-10 business days of receipt.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Clarkson School welcomes applications from students who convincingly demonstrate that they are excelling in high school and are ready for the early college experience at Clarkson University.

Eligibility

Minimum Standard for Admission: To be considered for admission high school students must have excelled academically in high school, as evidenced by a minimum cumulative GPA of 85 on a 100 scale, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)*.

*The Admissions Committee may occasionally determine that, in light of a student’s particular circumstances, he or she has excelled academically in high school despite not having met this standard, and may grant admission to such a student. The basis for any such determination must be documented and supported by testimony from the high school representative.

Please note that the average GPA of incoming Clarkson School students is 94 on a 100 scale (unweighted) or 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)

Further Considerations: The Clarkson School considers other evidence of readiness for the early college experience, including the following:

Scores on standardized tests (please note that the average score is 1260 the SAT critical reading and math combined or an ACT composite of 28)
Class rank (please note that majority of students are in the top 10% and only exceptionally are students below 15%)
Rigor of coursework (students usually take honors, AP, IB, and college courses, particularly in math and sciences)
Extracurricular activities (students typically show high levels of engagement in service and leadership)
Communication skills as evidenced in the admissions essay and interview
Personal maturity and responsibility

Application Portfolio

The Clarkson School requires each applicant to make the following a part of his/her admission folder:

Application and essay
$50 application fee (waived if student does an interview)
Official high school transcript, including the courses the student is presently enrolled in at his/her high school
PSAT, SAT, PLAN or ACT test scores (on occasion this requirement can be waived)
Secondary School Report form with accompanying letter of recommendation from his/her guidance counselor
Two letters of recommendation from teachers
An interview is highly recommended

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Clarkson School welcomes applications from international students with the recognition that those who are schooled overseas may have credentials somewhat different from a student in a U.S. high school program.

Eligibility

Minimum Standard for Admission: To be considered for admission international high school students must have excelled academically in high school, as evidenced by a minimum cumulative GPA of 85 on a 100 scale, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted).** In addition, non-native speakers must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and obtain a score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based
test or a 79-80 on the internet-based test***.

Please note that the average GPA of incoming Clarkson School students is 94 on a 100 scale (unweighted) or 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)

Further Considerations: The Clarkson School considers other evidence of readiness for the early college experience, including the following:

Scores on standardized tests (please note that the average score is 1260 the SAT critical reading and math combined or an ACT composite of 28)
Rigor of coursework (students usually take honors, AP, IB, and college courses, particularly in math and sciences)
Extracurricular activities (students typically show high levels of engagement in service and leadership)
Communication skills as evidenced in the admissions essay and interview
Personal maturity and responsibility

Application Portfolio

To receive admission consideration international students are asked to provide the following documentation:

Application and Essay
$50 application fee (waived if student does an interview)
Official high school transcript, including the courses the student is presently enrolled in at his/her high school
PSAT, SAT, PLAN or ACT test scores (on occasion this requirement can be waived)
Secondary School Report form with accompanying letter of recommendation from his/her guidance counselor
Certification of Finances (documentation a financial institution that verifies the family and/or sponsor has the ability to pay for the student’s costs)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) report
Two letters of recommendation from teachers
An interview is highly recommended

**The Admissions Committee may occasionally determine that, in light of a student’s particular circumstances, he or she has excelled academically in high school despite not having met this standard, and may grant admission to such a student. The basis for any such determination must be documented and supported by testimony from the high school representative.

***Exceptions may be made for students who have been on exchange in the US and have demonstrated excellence in their English program.

Once the student has been admitted and submitted their enrollment deposit, the acceptance letter and the Certification of Finances is submitted to the Clarkson University International Student Office for approval and the issuing of the student’s I-20.

This form is required so that the student can obtain a student visa.

HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS

The Clarkson School welcomes applications from home schooled students with the recognition that home schooled students’ credentials will be somewhat different than a student from a traditional high school program.

Eligibility

Minimum Standard for Admission: To be considered for admission home schooled students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 85 on a 100 scale, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)****.

In addition, to be admitted to the Clarkson School they must have completed secondary education in a home school environment and they must provide documentary evidence of the curriculum followed and grades received.

Please note that the average GPA of incoming Clarkson School students is 94 on a 100 scale (unweighted) or 3.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
Please note that in order to receive Federal financial aid, students must be beyond the age of compulsory education, which is 16 years old in the state of New York.

Further Considerations: The Clarkson School considers other evidence of readiness for the early college experience, including the following:

Scores on standardized tests (please note that the average score is 1260 the SAT critical reading and math combined or an ACT composite of 28)
Rigor of coursework (such as college courses, particularly in math and sciences)
Extracurricular activities (students typically show high levels of engagement in service and leadership)
Communication skills as evidenced in the admissions essay and interview
Personal maturity and responsibility

Application Portfolio

To receive admission consideration students are asked to provide the following documentation:

Application and Essay
$50 application fee (waived if student does an interview)****
The Admissions Committee may occasionally determine that, in light of a student’s particular circumstances, he or she has excelled academically in high school despite not having met this standard, and may grant admission to such a student. The basis for any such determination must be documented and supported by testimony from the high school representative.
Academic transcript outlining the home school curriculum5
A portfolio representing any academic and non-academic achievements
Secondary School Report, which is typically completed by a parent
A secondary school completion credential, if the state in which the student resides issues such a credential to homeschoolers
References from three different adults who can comment on the student’s intellectual interests, academic preparation, and extracurricular involvement
SAT and/or PSAT Reasoning Test, or the ACT and/or PLAN. SAT Subject tests, while not required, can be taken to further demonstrate academic breadth in the absence of traditional grades
Official transcripts for any courses taken at a school, college, online, or by
correspondence
An interview is highly recommended

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