First-Year Students

Admission to Rollins is highly selective.  Many factors are considered in the admission process, including each candidate’s academic record, talents, interests, and potential to contribute to the Rollins and local community. 

Application Forms

• Rollins College On-line Application ($40.00 application fee), or;

• Common Application On-Line Application ($40.00 application fee, or;

• Common Application Paper Application ($40.00 application fee).

Application Options

Test Score Waived Option

Beginning with Fall 2008 admission, applicants who do NOT seek consideration for academic merit scholarships may select the Test Score Waived Option. Candidates selecting this option must submit supplemental materials:

• A graded paper from a core academic course in the junior or senior year. Examples include essays or research papers, lab reports, or work in mathematics or related fields.
• 
  A "portfolio" reflecting the candidate's strengths, talents, or interests. This requirement is intentionally left open-ended to provide each candidate creative opportunity. Examples include written work such as poetry, slides of original artwork, multi-media presentations, scrapbooks, videos or DVDs of athletic or artistic performances. Anything that helps the Admission Committee understand the applicant's talents and interests and potential to contribute to the Rollins community. (Please note that your portfolio will not be returned.)

Early Decision

Students whose first choice is Rollins are encouraged to apply Early Decision. Early Decision is a binding program, and accepted students are expected to enroll. You must complete and return the Early Decision Agreement Form to be considered for Early Decision. Advantages of Early Decision include priority consideration for admission and academic scholarships, and an early financial aid estimate for financial aid applicants,

• Deadline: November 15
  
• Notification Date: December 15
• Enrollment Deposit Due: January 15

Early Action

Early Action is for students seriously considering Rollins but who also would like to keep their options open.

• Deadline: December 1
  
• Notification Date: February 1
  
• Enrollment Deposit Due: May 1

Regular Decision

The final admission application deadline. Applications received after this date are considered on a space-available basis. Applicants who expect to be considered for all academic scholarships, including Cornell Scholarships (full tuition, room and board), Deans’ Scholarships ($10,000 per year in addition to other academic scholarships awarded), and Centennial, Presidential and Alonzo Rollins Scholarships (ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per year) should have their completed applications on file by this date.

• Deadline: February 15
  
• Notification Date: April 1
• Enrollment Deposit Date: May 1

Early Admission

If you are an extraordinary high school student, you may be considered for admission at the conclusion of your junior year, provided all other admission requirements are satisfied. Early Admission candidates should apply through the Regular Decision cycle.

Spring Semester Admission

To be considered for the limited number of first-year openings available each spring semester, you should submit all application information by November 15. Should you have questions about spring semester admission you may contact the Spring Admission Coordinator, who serves as your liaison to Rollins.

Application Requirements

Admission Application

• Rollins College Common Application Supplement—for applicants using the Common Application
  
• Secondary School Report
  
• High school transcript
  
• Counselor recommendation
  
• Teacher recommendation from a junior or senior year core academic course

Factors considered in evaluating a candidate

The overall academic record

• The level of challenge in the course work
• Counselor and teacher recommendations
  
• The application and essay
• Graded paper (for applicants selecting the test score waiver option)
• Extracurricular participation
• Personal qualities

Advanced Standing Credit

Credit is awarded for Advanced Placement Exams, International Baccalaureate programs, or dual enrollment courses. A score of 4 or 5 on an Advance Placement Exam is worth one elective course credit. Grades of C or better on most British GCE A-Level exams are worth two course credits each, and up to eight course credits may be awarded for the German Abitur.

• If you are an International Baccalaureate graduate, you will receive credit based on the following criteria:
• One year (32 semester hours) for students with an IB diploma and a score of 30 or better.
• Eight semester hours for each higher level score of 5 or better and four semester hours for each score of 4 or better to a maximum of 24 semester hours for students with or without an IB diploma and a score of less than 30.
• General education requirement credit and advanced placement in major courses will be granted as appropriate, subject to approval.
  Honors Degree Program

Designed for students with exceptional abilities, the Honors Degree program admits first-year students with a superior record of academic achievement and leads to a distinct and separate undergraduate degree-Artium Baccalaureus-the Honors Bachelor of Arts Degree. First-year accepted students chosen for initiation into the Honors Degree Program receive notification from the Director of the Honors Program shortly after learning of their acceptance to Rollins.

Honors Students complete a core of interdisciplinary courses designed to provide an integrated understanding of the liberal arts. A series of four team-taught seminars during their first and second years introduces students to the various methods of inquiry in a liberal education. Honors seminars in the third and fourth years support significant independent research projects that represent the culmination of students' Honors experience at Rollins. More information about the Honors Degree Program is available on the Honors website.