Application and Admission Information

REACH accepts up to 25 new students each year from an applicant pool. The REACH application and interview process is designed to determine the compatibility of an applicant’s learning performance, current life skills, and job interests with the goals and programmatic elements offered by the program.

Students should apply by February 13, 2009, to be considered for Fall 2009 enrollment as there are no admissions for the spring semester. All students are required to live on campus; there is no “day student” enrollment. Families are encouraged to begin the admission process as early as possible.

Application files will be reviewed on a continuing basis and families will be contacted regarding a required interview. The interview must include the student and at least one parent or guardian; however, it is preferred that both parents or guardians participate in the interview. The interview allows the student to express his or her interests and ask questions. It also provides the parents/guardians with an opportunity to discuss relevant applicant information and to gain an understanding of the REACH Program.

In an effort to recognize the unique attributes that each potential REACH student offers and to help us identify those who are most likely to benefit from participating in the REACH Program, each applicant is evaluated in a variety of ways. We view diversity within our participant population as a source of excellence, enrichment, and strength.

Final decisions about enrollment into the program will be made on an ongoing basis. Decisions for admission into the program will follow a review of all information by the Admissions Committee. An evaluation of an individual’s “total functioning skills,” not clinical diagnoses or test scores alone, will determine who is admitted to the program. The Admissions Committee consists of the College of Education faculty, University of Iowa faculty, and REACH staff.

Admissions Eligibility

Once admission decisions have been made, letters for admission, placement on a wait list, or non-admittance will be sent to all applicants and parents/guardians. Due to the limited spaces in the program, some eligible students will not be immediately enrolled into the program. These students will have the option of being placed on a Short Notice Wait List for Admission or Deferred Admission for fall of the following year (see below). For those students being admitted into the program, an enrollment packet including a Student Health form, and a University Housing contract, and important dates for REACH families will be mailed to students and parents/guardians in spring 2009.

General Wait List Information

A request to be added to a list will need to be communicated to the REACH Director in writing. Students will be placed on the corresponding wait list according to the date their completed application was received at the REACH Office. No additional processing fee will be requested. Enrollment for students on the wait list is determined by enrollment deadlines and space availability in the residence hall where REACH students reside.

Short Notice Wait List

Students willing to enroll on short notice and are able to start the program within 2 weeks of notification at anytime up to the beginning of the 2nd quarter will be placed on the Wait List for Short Notice upon request of parent/guardian and student. Order will be determined by the original application date. There will be a limit of two students placed on the short-notice wait list due to the limited slots in the program. These students, if not admitted by the start of the second quarter, will be placed on the Deferred Admission List in the order of the date the completed application materials were received by the REACH Office.

For a student who enrolls late in the Fall term as a result of short-notice enrollment, scholarships may be available. An advisor creates a personalized development plan with the student to provide the necessary support and opportunities to transition successfully into and benefit from all aspects of the program.

Deferred Fall Admission List

Students who wish to be considered for admission for the following fall-term will be added to the Deferred Admission List. Prior to acceptance into the program, an interview of the student and parent/guardian will be required to update the REACH Program on the student’s status to determine if the program and student continue to be compatible. Students will be maintained on the Deferred Admission List for only 1 year-deferred to the following year only. There will be a limit of five students placed on the deferred admissions list due to the limited spaces in the program.

If a student on the Deferred Admission List does not enroll the following year after initial application, then admission consideration will require going through the complete application process and payment of processing fees. The student would be considered with all other new applicants for that year. Assessments and references, initially required for admission to the REACH Program, will not need to be updated, however, any significant medical, family or behavioral changes of the student will need to be reported and documented.

Please feel free to download and print the Program Materials below.

Images are courtesy of University Relations Photography.