In September, Rosemont College announced ROCO Option, a new test-optional admissions policy. Now in effect, students applying to Rosemont College for admission in the fall of 2019 who have a weighted, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) or higher will have the choice to submit their SAT/ACT scores or not during the application process.
Since its founding in 1921, Rosemont College has had a highly personalized approach to education. Rosemont College’s mission is to create a community of lifelong learners dedicated to academic excellence and foster joy in the pursuit of knowledge. Founded by Cornelia Connelly of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, Rosemont College is known for its excellent academic reputation and its focus on developing the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional well-being of each student.
At Rosemont College, students can choose from 26 undergraduate majors, 10 graduate programs, 2 professional studies programs, nearly 20 clubs and organizations, and 14 NCAA Division III athletic teams. At Rosemont, the power of small leads to big opportunities, where, as of July 2018, 92 percent of May graduates of the undergraduate college are employed or are attending graduate or professional school.
Prospective students who select the ROCO Option during the application process will be interviewed by an admissions counselor rather than submitting their standardized test scores. The interview will allow the College to become familiar with the prospective student in a meaningful and personal way as well as assess if he or she will be a good fit for Rosemont. If a student cannot travel to campus to be interviewed, interviews may take place virtually through FaceTime, Google Hangout, or Skype.
ROCO Option has been widely received with nearly 30 percent of applicants choosing not to submit their SAT or ACT scores. A test-optional admissions policy aligns with Rosemont’s mission and individualized approach to education, where the student–faculty ratio is 10 to 1 and average class size is 12 students.
Introducing a test-optional admissions approach has grown rapidly over the years. Rosemont now joins more than 1,000 accredited colleges and universities across the country — both national liberal arts colleges and national universities — who have decided to eliminate the requirement for students to submit SAT or ACT scores during the application process.
“We are thrilled to announce the ROCO Option for prospective students,” said Dr. Sharon L. Hirsh, president of Rosemont College. “We value an individualized approach to education, so it is natural for us to acknowledge that the admissions interview will be more informative to us about a prospective student than his or her standardized test score.”
Increasingly, research shows standardized tests are not a key predictor of a student’s academic performance in college. In a recent study published in the spring of 2018 by Steven T. Syverson, Valerie W. Franks and William C. Hiss, “Defining Access: How Test-Optional Works,” researchers found that students who apply to college without submitting their standardized test scores succeed in college at the same rates, or slightly better, than those who submit their scores. Students who elect not to submit their standardized test scores also graduate from college in four years at the same rate, or slightly better, than those students who submit their scores.
Rosemont’s internal studies show that high school GPA is the best predictor of academic success and graduation within four years. Students entering Rosemont College with a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher are more successful. Prospective students who choose the ROCO option will still be eligible for merit scholarships and admission to the Honors Program.
Students who are homeschooled and international students are not eligible to elect the ROCO Option.
Further information and frequently asked questions about the ROCO Option can be found online: rosemont.edu/MoreThanAScore.