Selective and Limited Admissions
New College isn't for everyone. Successful members of New College are committed not only to pursuing their chosen depth studies, but to thinking across the boundaries of their disciplines and contributing to the intellectual life of the community.
Once a student is admitted to the University, then he or she can be considered for admission into New College. Applicants submit three letters of recommendation along with a description of their academic interests and goals. During an informal personal interview, a faculty member and several New College students discuss with the applicant how he or she might construct a viable academic program in New College. The admissions committee makes final decisions within a few days following the interview.
Admission and Retention Requirements
Applications are available from the New College office or available for download here. The admission process is separate from and in addition to admission to The University of Alabama. The following two factors are taken into consideration when making a decision for admission:
- the degree of motivation and serious intellectual independence exhibited by the applicant
- the potential for the University to meet the applicant's academic goals
Admission Procedure
To apply for admission to New College, an interested student should
- obtain from the New College office or website an application for admission which, when completed, will include the applicant's educational goals and a statement about his or her interest in New College
- submit three letters of recommendation pertaining to the applicant's motivation, strengths, past performance, and personality
- arrange a time for an interview with students, faculty, and staff of the College for the purpose of exploring the applicant's academic objectives and the extent to which New College can serve the applicant. Interviews are conducted periodically during each semester
We consider the following factors in New College admission decisions:
- The applicant's commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to learning
- The degree of serious intellectual independence exhibited by the applicant
- Our capacity to help the applicant meet his or her academic goal
- The availability of openings in the New College student community (Enrollment in New College is limited to 200 students.)
