Expectations and university study

While it is impossible to catalog all of the expectations that any university has for applicants, there are some general considerations that all students should consider if college is in their future. Institutions vary widely and knowing the type of institution a student is considering is important.

According to National Association for College Admission Counseling academic achievement measured in grade point average (GPA) may top the list but don’t stop there. Specifi c courses and performance in those courses, especially in core academic pursuits, is important.

Four years of English, three to four years of math, science, and social studies, and two to three years in a foreign language and the arts are all positive accomplishments admissions officers consider. These same criteria are also important for scholarships and financial aid.

In addition, extracurricular activities are also sought after in admissions expectations according to Harvard College. Leadership roles in any setting such as sports, campus clubs, and student council all are valuable experiences. Likewise, volunteer work, internships, and job experience are also positive engagements that may help any holistic consideration of the student’s fitness for study.

At WTAMU entrepreneurship is also important. A high school student who shows the initiative to begin a business or creative enterprise may make a strong impression on university admissions officers. Research or other creative projects in any field demonstrate intellectual curiosity, dedication, and most importantly the ability to think critically. Activities of high interest to the student, rather than checkboxes for a university application process, have the most value.

Some institutions use the concept of “demonstrated interest” according to Inside Higher Ed. Whether or not a student has visited campus, attended recruiting events, or show special attention toward the institution is positive evidence. Of course, it is common sense that a student interested in a particular university will likely be more confidently received if it seems that they have studied the institution and understand its culture, location, and various characteristics.

The West Texas A&M University Admissions website has an abundance of information regarding applications. True to the Panhandle spirit it highlights those aspects of our university that are particularly important to university leadership and faculty, and reflective of the region we serve.

A university’s worldview can be impacted by many factors. WT expects its students to come to the campus with a strong sense of self, purpose, mission and passion, admittedly hard to measure but critically important, nonetheless. Understanding the fit between a person’s mission and institutional mission is the genesis of college success. It does not require a student to mindlessly adopt an institutional perspective.

To this day, nearly 75% of the teachers and administrators of the top 26 counties of Texas have at least one degree or certifi cation from WT. Institutional distinctiveness grows from commitment over the “long haul.” In Texas, there are 38 public universities. If any two are alike there is redundancy in the system. Each should be different. WT is proudly different.

Our expectation is simply this. In numerous ways, our students will contribute to the future growth and development of WT in much the same way that faculty and staff do. It marks the job of the student as pivotal and contributes to institutional strength.