'Berg launches new admission pathway

The Owen Center for Teaching and Learning at Heidelberg University has helped Heidelberg students tackle assignments, prepare for exams and learn material. Heidelberg's Office of Admission has started making education more available to students with academic promise who do not meet one or more of the initial admission requirements in a new pathway called the Student Prince Promise. The Student Prince Promise allows students whose high school GPA falls between 2.5 and 2.7, but who have the drive to work hard, to be admitted to Heidelberg University. Students who are admitted through the Student Prince Promise program will receive specialized Owen Center support in their first academic year and may be eligible for even more financial assistance if they do well academically. "Historically, Heidelberg University has reviewed applications holistically," said Sara Rowlinson, senior director of admission. "We want to give students with academic promise the opportunity to be successful at Heidelberg with the support services and resources we have designed for them." When a student applies to Heidelberg and doesn't meet one of the university's admission criteria, an advocate can vouch for them to the Admission Committee, and they will be asked to submit supplemental materials that demonstrate their abilities and potential. "The Student Prince Promise Program provides targeted and holistic support for students to help them navigate college successfully," said Director of Academic Support at the Owen Center, Morgan Harrigan. "This proactive support program is designed to help students build confidence, utilize resources, transition to the academic demands of college-level work and establish their sense of belonging at Heidelberg University." Students will complete a special college prep course before move-in in August. They'll have special incentives to work hard, including a $5,000 scholarship, which can be increased to $10,000 if they achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher by the end of their first year. Once the school year begins, they will attend weekly academic coaching appointments and must take and pass a course titled The Learning Process in an Academic Environment. "Individualized support has always been one of the key reasons why our students choose Heidelberg," said HU President Rob Huntington. "The Student Prince Promise is an extension of the promise every Student Prince receives when they are accepted to Heidelberg: we're here to support you, and we want to provide you every opportunity to succeed."