Admissions Overview

Application Procedures

Cost and Financial Aid

Campus Visit

To recognize the unique attributes of each potential REACH student and to identify those who are most likely to benefit, each applicant is evaluated in a variety of ways. We view diversity of our students as a source of enrichment and strength. 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 program goals.

Ideally, students should apply by early February, to be considered for Fall enrollment. There is no enrollment during 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 are reviewed on a continuing basis and families are contacted regarding a required interview. The interview allows the student to express his or her interests and ask questions. Parents/guardians discuss relevant applicant information and gain a better understanding of the REACH Program during their interview.

Final decisions about enrollment into the program are made on an ongoing basis. Decisions for admission into the program follow a review of all information by members of the Admissions Committee.  An evaluation of an individual’s “total functioning skills,” not clinical diagnoses or test scores alone, 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 are sent to all applicants and parents/guardians. Due to the limited spaces in the program, some eligible students are 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 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 is mailed to students and parents/guardians in spring 2009.

Wait List Information

A request to be added to the waitlist should 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.

• Short Notice: Students able to start the program within 2 weeks of notification at any time up to middle of the fall semester.  An advisor creates a personal development plan with the student to provide the necessary support and opportunities to transition and benefit from all aspects of the program.
  
  
• Deferred Fall Admission: Due to space limited in the program, a student may be accepted into the program; however, enrollment would be offered for the following academic year.  Students will be maintained on the Deferred Admission List for only one year.  An additional interveiw will be required for deferred admissions.                  

Images are courtesy of University Relations Photography.