Applying to Salve Regina 

What does the admissions committee consider when reviewing applicants?

When is the admissions application deadline?

After I've sent my application, about how long will it take for me to get an admission's decision?

Approximately eight weeks until I get an admission's decision…what's the hold-up?

How many applications did Salve Regina receive last year? What percentage of these applicants were accepted?

What is the average GPA for accepted students?

What are the average SAT and ACT scores for accepted students?

Are interviews part of the admissions process at Salve Regina?

How important is my personal statement? Does someone actually read it?

Does Admissions prefer that I fill out the Salve Regina application or the Common Application?

To be considered for financial aid, which forms must I fill out?

What does the admissions committee consider when reviewing applicants? back to top
We review everything that we ask you to submit: your high school transcript, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), personal statement, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. Evaluating all of these factors helps us to select which students best fit Salve Regina academically and personally.

When is the admissions application deadline? back to top
The early action (non-binding) admissions deadline is November 1. The regular action priority deadline is February 1. Those who submit an application for February 1 will receive a decision by April, as we are no longer rolling admission.  Any application postmarked after February 1 will not be considered unless space remains in the incoming freshman class.

After I've sent my application, about how long will it take for me to get an admission's decision? back to top
First of all, remember that your application must be complete before it's placed in line to be reviewed. Until all required materials have been submitted, an application cannot begin its journey through admission's process. That being said, all Early Action applicants' decisions are mailed out on December 15. For those that apply by our regular decision deadline of February 1, decisions will be mailed out by April 1.   

April 1 until I get an admission's decision…what's the hold-up? back to top
Recently, Salve Regina has decided to not continue rolling admissions.  Typically, it would be a 6-8 week turnover time from applying to receiving a decision in your mailbox.  Due to the large increase of applications in recent years, many schools are now releasing decisions during a specific time period.  This allows our counselors to spend lots of critical time reviewing your application and determining which applicants will do best, academically and socially, at Salve Regina. 

How many applications did Salve Regina receive last year? What percentage of these applicants were accepted? back to top
Admission to Salve Regina is increasingly competitive each year. From an applicant pool of 5,800 for the fall 2007 freshman class, we admitted just over 3,000 students (54% acceptance rate).

What is the average GPA for accepted students? back to top
The average GPA was a 3.2 (B/B+) for our fall of 2007 freshman class. Please note that the GPA we assign you will be different from that which appears on your high school transcript. Like most college admission staffs, we recalculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale, taking only college preparatory core academic subjects into consideration.  So, although we do appreciate the value of them, we don't include classes like physical education, general music and art, and other electives into our GPA calculations. We do give added weight to Honors, A.P., and I.B. courses.

What are the average SAT and ACT scores for accepted students? back to top
Students invited to join the 2007-2008 freshman class had an average SAT score of 1100 and an average ACT score of 25. If you submit SAT and ACT scores, we consider only the higher score of the two. So, if you're not satisfied with the score you earn on the SAT, we'll always advise you to try the ACT, and vice versa. After all, you have nothing to lose by giving both tests a shot.  Please note, that we are currently not considering the writing portion of the SAT!

Are interviews part of the admissions process at Salve Regina? back to top
We do not conduct formal interviews at Salve Regina – so that's one less thing for you to worry about! However, please feel free to contact your admission counselor if you have questions or concerns about Salve Regina, or if you have a personal issue that you'd like to discuss with a member of our staff. The most important part of our work is connecting with students and serving as resources for you. Plus, we enjoy being able to put a face, or a voice, to your application when it arrives. View the admissions staff pages to meet your very own fascinating and informative admissions counselor.

How important is my personal statement? Does someone actually read it? back to top
Since the purpose of the personal statement/essay is for us to get to know you better, it's very important. Not only do our admission counselors read your personal statements, but some insist that application review would be sleep-inducing without them. After all, transcripts and standardized test scores can evoke only so much emotion!  Because we want to give you the opportunity to express yourself freely, we have left the personal statement topic up to you. Be yourself and delve deeply - this is your chance to tell us something we won't learn from any other part of your application. Since you now know that your personal statement is in fact read, take pride in what you submit – edit it yourself, and then have it proofread and critiqued by a teacher, parent, and/or friend.

Does Admissions prefer that I fill out the Salve Regina application or the Common Application? back to top
We don't have a preference – we have room in our hearts for both (plus, we accept, and adore equally, the Salve Regina Web applications and Catholic Colleges applications). Fill out whichever application is most convenient for you.  Remember though, if you do choose to submit the Common Application, you must also complete Salve Regina's Supplement to the Common Application.  If you decide on the Salve Regina application, you can choose between a paper and an on-line application.  Click here to view your application options.

To be considered for financial aid, which forms must I fill out? back to top
To apply for financial aid, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile forms. The priority deadline for these forms is March 1. We cannot overstate the importance of March 1, and advise you to implement this date into your daily mantra. Approximately 75% of our current students receive financial aid. For more financial aid information or to access the required forms online, visit the office of financial aid main page