La Sierra University has implemented new admissions and course placement policies for students entering in fall 2006.

“The new standards will better match students for success at La Sierra University,” said Gene Edelbach, LSU vice president for enrollment services. “There is a five-year phase-in time, but this fall we will admit 50 percent who do not meet the requirements. Every year in the five-year phase-in period, that percentage of exceptions gets lower.”

The new admissions standards include the student providing or the university gathering SAT/ACT scores as well as the student’s grade point average (GPA) on a.-g. subject requirements list as identified by the University of California and California State University systems, according to Warren C. Trenchard, LSU provost. In the case of Adventist academy students, an h. category, or religion courses, are also tallied into the GPA. (See a.-h. courses chart.)

Once the data on test scores and GPA have been gathered and input online or provided to Enrollment Services, an eligibility index is calculated that allows university personnel to determine an applicant’s admission status. “Freshmen need to register by the end of July for the best choice of classes. Classes fill quickly,” says Edelbach.

“We did this to simplify the admissions process and also to align with models that are well known by all California high school and academy students,” says Trenchard. “We scanned the applications for the past two years, and the decisions would be similar for students with or without this new admissions policy. We are merely defining the process in a way that is more efficient for students.”

The other item to note is that freshman and some transfer students will now need to take the online Accuplacer test, adds Trenchard. “The purpose of the placement process is to properly match students to the math and English courses that best suit their current ability levels,” says Trenchard. “Proper placement will better enable students to navigate successfully these courses and to complete any necessary remediation in these disciplines within 12 months, the time allotted for such remediation. The ultimate purpose is student succcess.”

What can families and students do to better prepare for admission to La Sierra University? Take all of the a.-h. courses, schedule the SAT or ACT test by fall senior year or even in the junior year, apply in January or February or earlier (the online application process is free), and practice with Accuplacer online tutorials during the senior year in high school.

For more details please call LSU Enrollment Services at 951-785-2422.

A.-H. Required Courses:

a. History/social sciences, 2 years

b. English, 4 years

c. Mathematics, 3 years

d. Laboratory sciences, 2 years

e. Language other than English, 2 years

f. Visual and performing arts, 1 year

g. College preparatory electives, 1 year

h. Religion, 1-4 years applied