Academic Preparation

We believe there is a smarter way to evaluate whether prospective students are a good fit for the smarter way we educate students. 

Naturally, we ask all admission candidates for the standard submission pieces: transcripts, standardized test scores (optional), lists of extracurricular activities, the essay (optional), and recommendations. Your GPA, class rank, and other academic measures help us determine if you are academically ready for the intensive, career-focused education we provide. We also look for strong writing/communication skills.

In addition to demonstrated strength in these credentials, we highly value some specific personal qualities and characteristics, which can tip the balance toward getting admitted if one of the elements of your academic profile is not as strong as your overall application. In such cases, we recommend a Personal Interview. We are looking for students who are highly motivated to achieve their professional and personal goals. We look for a spirit of innovation, a commitment to inclusivity, an interest in global citizenry, a growth-oriented mindset, and solid values of service and environmental sustainability.

Recommended Academic Preparation

 Academic preparation includes successful completion of a college preparatory curriculum, including:

• 4 years of reading/writing English
• 3 years of history/social sciences 
• 3 years of mathematics (at least through Algebra II. Many students take Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or AP Calculus as juniors or seniors)
• 3 years of natural sciences, including two courses with lab components
• 2 years of a foreign language
• A full course load of challenging academic subjects senior year

International Students Must Provide Proof of English Proficiency

For students whose native language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Please have an official test score report sent to Champlain College in order to be considered for direct admission to the undergraduate program at Champlain. Our school's code for the TOEFL is 3291.

• TOEFL (paper-based): 550 (no sub score lower than 50)
• TOEFL (internet-based — iBT): 79+ (no sub score lower than 14)
• IELTS Academic: 6.5 (no sub score lower than 5.5)
• PTE: 58
• SAT Verbal: 500+
• British 'O' Level English Pass: A–C
• Students who have been entirely educated in English are exempt.
• High school or college students who have had at least 3 years of instruction in English at an accredited U.S. college/university/high school may supply official transcripts to see if they might be able to waive the English Proficiency requirement.

Important Note: The College reserves the right to request that an international student take a test to determine the student's level of English proficiency even if the student has submitted the required documentation to waive English proficiency listed above

Standardized Test Scores (Optional)

Champlain College is a test-optional institution.  There is no downside to not submitting your standardized test scores. If you believe your test scores add value to your application, by all means, do send them.

• For College Board SAT, please use code 3291
• For the ACT, please use code 4298

Awarding Credit for Exams

Many students, in order to apply to Champlain, have taken AP courses with exams or other types of tests that may qualify them for credits at the College. If admitted, we award course credits to students as follows:

• A score of "3" or better for Computer Science, Calculus, and Statistics Advanced Placement (AP) Exam (see chart below mapping of exam to course credit)
• A score of "4" or better for all other College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Exam
• A score of "5" or better earned on the Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam
• A minimum score of "50" or better on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Exam

Please note that in order to award credit, all test scores must be certified by our office with an official score report. We do not award credit for Standard Level (SL) International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams.

* with an AB score of 4 or 5
**with an AB score of 3

Homeschooled Applicants

If you have been homeschooled, you have the same application requirements as all first-year applicants. Please note that ONLY if the student is admitted and chooses to enroll will we need proof of graduation via homeschool diploma or equivalent from the student's home state, or the official results of the GED/high school equivalency exam.

We ask that homeschooled applicants also include:

• High school transcripts, which should include completed and in-progress coursework with grades and, if possible, a brief course-by-course description.
• Any courses completed at a secondary or post-secondary school, which will require official transcripts from those institutions.