Steps in Applying

Our admissions process is like the education we offer: highly individualized. We look at your application, academic grades and courses, class rank and standardized test scores. But, we may also look at extracurricular activities, recommendations and other personal contacts beyond the paper application.

Successful candidates will complete a minimum of 18 academic courses in high school, including four in English, two in social studies, two in lab sciences and at least two recommended foreign language courses. Additionally, there are three required courses in math including, geometry and algebra I and II.

Steps in Applying

1. Complete the online application.  We encourage students to apply early for fall 2009.  However, transcripts are not required until October.
2. Have your high school forward an official transcript to the Office of Admissions. It should include an explanation of the secondary school grading scale, class rank and corresponding grade point average.
3. Print the Secondary School Report and turn into your college counselor.  This report should be submitted with your high school transcript.
4. Have your SAT or ACT scores sent directly to Roanoke’s Office of Admissions.   Our school code is 5571 for the SAT, 4392 for the ACT.  There may be an opportunity for students in the top 20% of their graduating high school class to make the SAT or ACT optional.  For more information, contact the Office of Admissions. 
5. You may also have SAT II scores forwarded; they’ll be used to determine placement during your freshman year, and they may be used to waive required courses. Our school code is 5571 for the SAT.  More about advanced placement…
6. Although optional, we strongly encourage you to submit a personal statement.  We are interested in learning more about you as a person beyond your grades and test scores.  This may be included on your application under "additional information."
7. Letters of recommendation are helpful when reviewing your file, but not required.  We recommend three references (two of the references must be academic).  Recommendations should be mailed to the Office of Admissions.
8. Check into options for financial assistance. The Scholars Program and Honors Program may provide additional merit scholarships.  In addition, the Undergraduate Research Assistants Program (URAP) provides a unique four-year research opportunity with a faculty member.