Applicants Given Flexibility for Competitive Majors

Joshua Perry, associate director of admissions at The University of Scranton, discusses the adaptions the University is implementing to the application process for competitive majors, such as physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT) and nursing. Understanding the challenges high school students have faced scheduling standardized tests during the pandemic, the University is implementing flexible and proactive steps for programs that normally require SAT and ACT scores.

How is the University approaching the application process to competitive programs during the pandemic?

We understand the college search is hard in a normal year, but this year is exceptionally so. We want to help alleviate concerns parents and students have about SAT and ACT testing and scores. This year, we will be flexible with applicants to our nursing, OT and PT programs. We will meet the needs of students and not hold something against them that is outside of their control. With SAT and ACT test dates being postponed or cancelled basically since March – we are implementing steps to make sure students can apply to competitive programs.

Has the University adjusted the SAT or ACT requirement for applying to the competitive programs?

This year, students can apply to these programs even if they were not able to take an SAT or ACT. They just need to alert us when they apply if they have been unable to take the SAT or ACT due to the pandemic. We will also work individually with students who had taken the SAT or ACT prior to everything shutting down and planned to take the test again.

What if the situation changes regarding SAT and ACT testing and a student who applied without test scores can now take the test?

We are happy to re-evaluate our admissions and merit scholarship decisions. Again, we are looking to be flexible. If a student who applied without a test score takes the SAT or ACT and wants to use the test score, then we will consider their test results for admissions and merit scholarships.

If students apply to these competitive programs without a SAT or ACT test score, what will you consider when evaluating their application?

Students are never just a test score to Scranton. We look at the whole student. We consider their high school record, including their GPA, class rank if available, rigor of course work the student is taking. We also evaluate their essay, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, other accolades and achievements and leadership roles. These are all important pieces of the application process. All of these factors go into evaluating how good of a fit a student will be at Scranton and how successful they will be in a very competitive program. The nursing, PT and OT programs are challenging. We want to make sure that we are admitting students into the programs that we believe can be successful.

Are there any other adaptions you have made for the application process?

Yes, we are also using evaluative interviews to get to know student applicants better and to put context to certain elements of the application that we typically wouldn’t have when the application is being reviewed. Students can reach out to us directly to set up an interview or schedule an evaluative interview on their own using the following link: https://apply.scranton.edu/portal/interview.

If students or parents have questions regarding applying to competitive majors, who can they contact?

If they have questions or concerns about applying, they can reach out to our Admissions office by phone at 1-888-SCRANTON or by email at admissions@scranton.edu. They can also contact their admissions counselor directly. We are here to offer guidance and advice on the college search process in general and about applying to The University of Scranton.