What's up with University of Iowa? Admitted with just test scores and GPA?

[Anonymous]

So my cousin just got admitted to UO for Fall 2014. She's a senior this year. Apparently, all you have to do to apply is send in your test scores and GPA. If high enough they will send you an acceptance notice. Only then do you need to send teacher recs official transcipts etc. How can this be? My DC wants to apply right now.

[Anonymous]

I don't know specifically about Iowa but back in the day when I went to University of Kansas, I believe they were mandated by the state to accept any student that had graduated from high school. I'm guessing that it stems back to the "prairie" days when they encouraged anyone who wanted to go to college that they could attend if they had their HS degree. I imagine Iowa may be the same.

On another note, I really didn't see any ill effects from such an open policy. I had great teachers and classes there - especially if you choose a decent major that doesn't require lots of huge class sizes (like my poor pre-med friends). I did well and was accepted to some top grad programs in my field.

[Anonymous]

There was a recent article in the WSJ (I don't have the link) where many schools are underenrolled, so they are simplifying the application procedure into a "we'll let you in this afternoon" type day. Nothing unusual or surprising. Not great schools...but some not so bad schools.

[Anonymous]

Yes apply! Rolling admissions colleges are accepting apps now.

[Anonymous]

Actually, a lot of big state schools do this. It is not that uncommon.

[Anonymous]

Really? What about Penn State or University of Wisconsin?

[Anonymous]

This is how a lot of large publics operate. And when it is "rolling admission" all the better. In some cases recs were not needed. D was admitted to Indiana University in October, and heard from 1 or 2 universites every month (8 in all, all out-of-state) The very last schools we heard from were instate (Virginia) She applied to the out-of-state schools sight-unseen. Once she had been accepted, and we knew the final cost (usually known with the acceptance letter), we planned visits to the schools that were the most promising. It's very nice to go on campus tours and already be an admitted student ~ very empowering. Also the process can be very fluid ~ no reason to stress about a 'final list'. As she received decisions & costs, and we visited, there was still plenty of time in the application season, she could have added more schools. If you're looking at large publics, this is the way to go. She is very happy at an oos flagship with merit aid covering 1/2 tuition for 4 years. By the way, merit aid was all-over-the-place. There would have been no way to predict it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is how a lot of large publics operate. And when it is "rolling admission" all the better. In some cases recs were not needed. D was admitted to Indiana University in October, and heard from 1 or 2 universites every month (8 in all, all out-of-state) The very last schools we heard from were instate (Virginia) She applied to the out-of-state schools sight-unseen. Once she had been accepted, and we knew the final cost (usually known with the acceptance letter), we planned visits to the schools that were the most promising. It's very nice to go on campus tours and already be an admitted student ~ very empowering. Also the process can be very fluid ~ no reason to stress about a 'final list'. As she received decisions & costs, and we visited, there was still plenty of time in the application season, she could have added more schools. If you're looking at large publics, this is the way to go. She is very happy at an oos flagship with merit aid covering 1/2 tuition for 4 years. By the way, merit aid was all-over-the-place. There would have been no way to predict it.[/quot

Thank you for this info! I'm going to have DD start applying now.

[Anonymous]

My DC did poorly junior year so it has been recommended that DC not apply early decision anywhere so schools can see more of DC's grades from senior year (hopefully they will be significantly better). I'm assuming rolling admission would be similar to this and DC would be advised against applying now before Fall senior year grades come out.