Potential Magazine Fall 2012 | Page 19

CAMPUS CONNECTION Images courtesy of Auburn UNiversity auburn university Auburn University has a lot to offer. Find out if it deserves a spot on your teen’s college consideration list. r BY Caitlin Howell anked as one of the top 50 public universities for the last 20 years, Auburn University, located in Auburn, Ala., is what many would consider a medium to large university. In 1856, Auburn was established as a land grant university and currently has over 25,000 students enrolled in both the undergraduate and graduate programs combined. Auburn offers more than 140 possible degrees within 12 different colleges and schools. The campus is full of many beautiful buildings, gardens and green-spaces. Such a college is commonly applied to; however, more often than not, the application process and all that goes along with the school itself can be a mystery. Cindy Singley, the director of University Recruitment, was able to answer many of the questions that applicants, or parents of applicants, might have. facts about applying “We are looking for students that can be successful,” said Singley. Two of the best indicators of this are a student’s GPA as well as their ACT or SAT scores. A strong GPA and test scores are beneficial in a competitive admission process. Auburn University’s application itself does not involve long essays. Instead, it requires responses to short answer questions that allow the student to talk through: • involvement with extracurricular school activities, faith organizations and public service • employment experience • significant experiences, achievements or failures that affected them • reasons they selected Auburn University and their goals • attributes or accomplishments that set them apart • barriers that may have adversely affected their high school performance. As part of the review process, the University will also consider legacy status as well as the GPA and test score. A legacy is a student who had a family member graduate from Auburn prior to the student’s application. According to Singley, evaluating underrepresented areas of the state is also important to the University. Student applications are accepted beginning August 1 of each year. 19