ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (June 17, 2021) — In its 162 years, Augustana has faced tough times, but the college recognizes that 17-year-olds looking at colleges have never lived through an experience like the pandemic. This year, college leaders will open the application process on July 1. 

High-school seniors and transfer students from across the world will begin applying to colleges this summer and start the process of making a college decision. 

“We have found that the college application process, even in normal years, is one that brings great stress and concern to students and families,” says Executive Vice President W Kent Barnds. “Since these students have had their high-school experience altered by the pandemic, we aim to limit that added stress and do so through a variety of student-focused choices.” 

A recognized leader in innovation, Augustana has had a test-optional application policy for nearly 20 years, making Illinois Augie an outlier for 19 of those years. A vast majority of colleges that are now test-optional stopped requiring test scores in 2020. 

Test-optional colleges do not require students to submit ACT or SAT scores with their application.

“Research actually suggests that high school academic performance is a much better predictor of success in college, and we’ve found that to be true at Augustana,” says Barnds. “We recognize that test scores are a small fraction of what a student brings to Augustana, and we know each student, regardless of test score, will impact the college during their time here.” 

Students who apply without test scores will still be eligible for the same merit-based scholarships as those who provide ACT and/or SAT scores. Presidential scholarships, for those who qualify, provide $112,000 in aid over a student’s four years.

Applications may be submitted through the Common Application, a standard application used by over 900 colleges, or the Augustana application. Students will be asked to provide an official high-school transcript and secondary-school report. Supplying teacher recommendations and an interview with a member of the admissions team is encouraged but not required. 

“Our priority has always been to limit barriers in the way of students and introduce them to Augustana, so that they may determine the best-fit college for themselves,” says Barnds. 

Students have until November 1 to apply Early Decision or Early Action and through April 1 for Regular Decision applications.

Known for sparking passionate curiosity, Augustana College is an empowering home to explore over 90 areas of study. Augustana’s innovative program, Augie Choice, transforms students into global citizens, thinkers, and doers with a $2,000 grant to explore the world, complete an internship, or conduct research with a professor. Augustana students achieve a balance inside and outside of the classroom; ranking top ten in all divisions for Academic All Americans. Transformed to be different, current students and alumni include healthcare heroes, Nobel Prize winners, CEOs, college presidents, and leaders across all continents. The college enrolls 2,500 curious changemakers who get energized by four years as part of a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

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