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Admissions Requirements

Goucher's admissions program is tailored for specific populations of students. The selection process is highly individualized, and members of Goucher's Admissions Committee read every application, paying particular attention to personal qualities and intellectual promise. Admission is granted to the college for fall semester and spring semester.

There were more than 3,600 first-year applicants for fall 2012, culminating in 425 new students from 35 states, several territories, and 11 countries. Maryland residents account for about 20 percent of new students.

The composition of the new first-year class is illustrated, in part, by the following profile:

• SAT Critical Reading Middle 50%                 530-650
• SAT Math Middle 50%                                   500-630
• ACT Composite Middle 50%                          23-28
• GPA Middle 50% (Un-weighted, 4.0 Scale)   2.85-3.50
• Multicultural Students (Self-Declared)           33%
• Student-Athletes Intending to Play Varsity      98, or 23%

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College Preparatory Subjects

Students who are interested in applying to Goucher should have at least 16 units of college preparatory subjects over a range of academic fields; although most successful applicants exceed this minimum.The applicant's high school program should include at minimum the following (each unit equals one year):

English— 4 units
Mathematics— 3 or 4 units: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry
Foreign Language— 2 units, preferably in the same language
Laboratory Sciences— 2 or 3 units, preferably Biology and Chemistry
Social Studies— 2 or 3 units

The Admissions Committee may allow credits for work in subjects not listed above or may accept a student whose school program does not include the usual number of entrance units. The quality and grade average of the candidates' secondary schoolwork are considered in relation to the standards of their programs and their schools.

Honors Programs

Honors programs and the following courses also carry more weight than standard classwork in the admissions process:

Advanced Placement — Goucher generally accepts scores of 4 or 5 on AP exams for placement and credit. Course placement is determined by the individual academic department.
International Baccalaureate— Goucher will grant credit for IB exam scores of at least 5 in higher-level subject areas. Students who earn a full IB diploma may be considered for sophomore standing; course placement is at the discretion of each department.

Standardized Tests

Goucher has adopted a test-optional program, where submitting scores for the SAT Reasoning Test and ACT with writing is optional when applying for admission. You must indicate on the application supplement your preference for use of test scores in determining admission; however, test scores must be submitted to be considered for merit funding.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English are expected to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (213 on computer-based exam, 79-80 on Internet-based exam) is necessary for application review.

Contact Goucher Admissions
phone: 1-800-GOUCHER (ext. 6100)
email: admissions@goucher.edu