Applying to Carson Newman?

Hey there, I'm keen on applying to Carson Newman. Could someone familiar with its admissions walk me through the process? What are the key things they're known to look at? Does it value test scores more or extracurricular activities? It's a bit nerve-wracking to pick and choose where to focus my time! Thanks in advance.

Hey! So, applying to Carson Newman is conducted through the Common App or the university's own application. They also participate in rolling admissions, which means you can apply at any point in the admissions cycle and expect to hear back within a few weeks.

When it comes to admissions, they look at a variety of factors. These factors include your high school transcript, your SAT or ACT scores, and your extracurricular activities. They'll also take into account your personal essay where you can share your unique experiences and goals, so make sure to spend some time crafting a solid and compelling one.

While your high school grades and test scores are important (Carson Newman is not currently test-optional), they are not the sole deciding factor. Your extracurricular activities can make a significant difference in your application. They won't just be looking at the number of activities you've done, but the depth of your engagement in a few areas. For example, have you demonstrated leadership, perseverance, commitment, or initiative in these activities? If you've shown a strong "spike" in an area of interest, that could really stand out to the admissions officers.

It's also important to remember that Carson Newman has a holistic review process. This means they take into account all parts of your application, in addition to your potential fit with the school's values and community.

Lastly, I would also recommend contacting Carson Newman's admissions office directly. This could demonstrate your interest and they can also provide more insight into what they're specifically looking for in an applicant.

In terms of where to focus your time, that really depends on where you feel you can make the most improvement. Carson Newman has a relatively high acceptance rate (around 66%), so presenting a balanced application with strong grades, good test scores and meaningful extracurricular engagement will position you competitively. Good luck!