2007-08 Academic Catalog	home FAQs request

Admissions Criteria and Procedure

Concordia’s Admissions Office

The purpose of the Admissions Office is to “tell the Concordia story” to the most qualified students who are a good match for our community of learners. Concordia is a selective school, so others in your classes will be among the top students from their high schools. We consider various factors when making decisions about admission, such as academic preparation; personal character, qualities and interests; leadership potential; extracurricular activity participation; evidence of social and ethical concerns and volunteer service. Standardized test scores, GPA, and class ranks are important factors we consider but are not the exclusive factors being reviewed.

The Admissions Office can be contacted and application materials obtained at:

 Admissions Office 
 Concordia College
 901 8th St S 
 Moorhead MN 56562
 Phone: 218.299.3004 or 800.699.9897
 E-mail: admissions@cord.edu
 Web site: www.ConcordiaCollege.edu

Admissions representatives and staff are available to assist you and answer any questions you or your family may have.

Students wishing to apply as first-year students should submit an application. When the application is submitted the college will request:

• an official transcript from high school
• two references (we prefer one academic reference and one character reference)
• your ACT or SAT score Concordia’s ACT score code is 2104 and our SAT score code is 6113. Please use these codes when you take the tests so the results will come directly to Concordia.

Admissions Process

Concordia operates on a rolling admissions basis, which means that as soon as we have received all of your material, our Admissions Committee will review your application. You will generally receive an admissions decision within 10 days from the time your application is completed. Accepted students can finalize their admission by returning a $200 deposit with the appropriate form.

Financial aid is only awarded to those who have been accepted, and housing is only assigned to those who have been accepted and who have finalized their admission by returning the deposit and housing form. Financial aid opportunities at Concordia are numerous, and no student should rule out attending Concordia based solely on cost until they have investigated the aid that is available to assist them.

Most new students join Concordia for fall semester beginning in late August, although a smaller number of students join for spring semester beginning in early January. We recommend August as the best time to start. Acceptances be part of a group and join one of the many “Visit Days” held throughout the year. Other students prefer to visit individually at a time of their choosing. Either can be equally rewarding, and visits are highly recommended because we know their value in helping you make an informed decision.

We suggest arranging your visit in advance online at www.ConcordiaCollege.edu or by phoning 218.299.3004 or 800.699.9897. If we have advance notice, we can arrange for you to stay in a residence hall, visit classes, meet professors and students, and attend college functions. Admissions representatives can meet with you to answer your questions and advise you about selecting a school and Concordia in particular.

Academic Preparation

Concordia, like most selective private colleges, does not require a specific pattern of high school courses for admission. However, our experience shows that students who are best prepared for Concordia have a high school record that includes

• four years of English
• three years each in the sciences, mathematics, and social sciences
• two years in another language

Computer experience and exposure to fine arts round out a good high school schedule. The Admissions Committee is also pleased to note students who have participated in honors courses or who have done advanced placement work.

We recognize there may be curricular limitations at smaller high schools, and students who are otherwise well prepared with strong academic backgrounds are still considered for admission. Similarly, students from outside the United States, where curricula vary widely, are considered for admission and should strive to follow an academic, university preparation curriculum at their schools.

Transfer Student Admission Procedures

For admission to advanced standing as a transfer student, you must request each postsecondary institution you have attended to send an official transcript directly to Concordia; in addition, if you are in your first year of college, you must submit the same material traditional first-year students submit. Transfer students who are in their second year or beyond of full-time study are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores. Acceptance depends upon your previous academic record as well as upon the other factors considered when admitting first-year students.

Students considering transferring to Concordia may request an initial evaluation of the transfer of course credits prior to applying or in conjunction with applying by submitting an official postsecondary transcript(s) and specifically requesting this service. This evaluation is only preliminary, but it should be complete enough to be helpful in planning for your transfer. Inquiry courses, Physical Education 111 and 112, and Religion 100 cannot be met by transfer credits by first-year students.

Official postsecondary transcripts are evaluated by the Registrar’s Office and appropriate transfer credit is awarded after students finalize their admission. Students presenting credits in music theory are also required to write an examination to determine placement in this area. For admission as a special student, you must furnish satisfactory evidence of prerequisite training to pursue your course of study.

International Student Admission Procedures

To be considered for admission, international students should send:

• an application
• official transcripts from high school and any previous university-level study. English translation of the official transcripts should be included. Please send both the official transcripts and the translation.
• two academic references
• official certificates with O Level and A Level results if applicable
• official certificates from any nationally administered tests in your country (during or at the completion of high school) if applicable
• evidence of English proficiency

    - We prefer the IELTS exam and require a score of 6.0 or higher. Information can be obtained at http://www.ielts.org. Students’ official results must be received directly from the testing center before they may enroll.
    - We also accept the TOEFL exam with TWE. The TOEFL result must be 73 or higher on the Internet test, 200 or higher on the computer test, or 533 or higher on the paper test. TWE result should be 4.0 or higher. Information on these tests can be obtained at http://www.toefl.org. Students’ official results must be received directly from the ETS before they may enroll. Concordia’s TOEFL code is 6113.
    - Other means of demonstrating English proficiency may be considered; however, this is rare and Concordia requires that all new students demonstrate to our satisfaction the ability to communicate effectively in an American college classroom before admittance.

• International student financial aid and certification form (not required for students from Scandinavia). International students must demonstrate and certify adequate financial support before Concordia can issue an I- 20 form.
• SAT results and a personal essay are generally not required, but we appreciate receiving them and they can increase your chances for admission. We may require the SAT if it is difficult for the Admissions Committee to evaluate academic ability from the documents supplied.

Services that Concordia provides to international students include an on-campus, international student adviser and an international orientation for the fall semester. An international student organization includes international students and interested American students. Year-round housing in residence halls is available.

Our safe and friendly campus warmly welcomes international students. Concordia is centrally located in the heartland of the United States. Moorhead-Fargo is a medium-sized, growing community with nearly 175,000 people, including 20,000 college students.