The basic criteria for admission center on an applicant's potential for success at Kenyon. Although results of the SAT or ACT are considered, more emphasis is placed on the candidate's secondary-school courses, grades, and class rank, as well as counselor and teacher recommendations, the nature of the secondary school, and the candidate's personal statement.
- The most competitive students in our applicant pool meet or exceed the recommended college-preparatory course of study. The applicant's performance and course selection in the context of their secondary school is of primary importance in the evaluation process.
- Candidates who have taken advantage of advanced placement, International Baccalaureate or honors courses, where offered, or have exceeded the minimum recommendations, often receive preference over those who have not challenged themselves relative to their high school's offerings.
- The applicant's personal statement and list of extracurricular activities are also important. Keep in mind that we value depth of experience, and leadership, over breadth. A laundry-list of activities does not benefit an applicant if there is no value to the experiences. Be certain to share your passions with us--let us know what excites and moves you--and what you hope to continue with, and explore anew, in college.
- The candidate's level of interest in the College can also be a factor. Candidates can demonstrate interest by scheduling a campus visit, interviewing on-campus or with an alumnus closer to home, or otherwise communicating with the Admissions Office. (We understand that not every student has the time and resources to come to campus before applying.) We are interested in genuine expressions of candidate-college fit--of learning how students hope to benefit from, and contribute to, the Kenyon community.
This holistic approach to application evaluation allows us to look at many aspects of each student and not simply a set of numbers. After all, you're much more than a number at Kenyon. We hope you'll add a vibrant voice to our small community, and enliven our lives with your time in Gambier, just as we expect this community of scholars to enrich the many elements of your life.