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Admissions
Criteria and Requirements

Enrollment in the freshman class is limited to approximately 575 men and women. Since the College desires to maintain a community of students with diverse backgrounds and interests, and because the number of applicants greatly exceeds the number of places available, admission is the result of a highly selective process. Applicants are judged on (1) their academic performance and potential, (2) their accomplishments within their schools and communities, and (3) their qualities of character and personality. Trinity College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, handicap or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admissions policies.

The school record, the personal recommendations from school counselors and teachers, and the tests of the College Board or of the American College Testing Program are carefully considered by the Office of Admissions. Applicants should be well prepared for Trinity's academic work, and desirous and capable of contributing to campus and community activities.

Personal qualities and character

Trinity is keenly interested in attracting and admitting candidates who not only give ample proof of academic prowess, but also show evidence of such personal qualities as honesty, fairness, compassion, altruism, leadership, and initiative in their high school years. We place great value in a candidate's capacity to move beyond the limits of personal achievement to involvement in the life of the community at large. We seek candidates who demonstrate a willingness to take an interest in the lives and welfare of others or to place themselves in situations which call for personal initiative and leadership. We believe that such experiences develop an individual's appreciation of ethical issues and may well enhance the capacity to make a difference in the society one will enter as a college graduate.

We believe that educated men and women should aspire to develop integrity as well as intelligence during their high school years. In addition to artistic, athletic, extracurricular, and academic talent, we recognize in the admissions process the development of strong personal qualities. Our pluralistic and democratic society requires many qualities from its leaders as it seeks to meet the challenges of the years ahead; character is certainly one of them.

Recommendations

Trinity requires a recommendation from a college counselor and two teachers' recommendations.  The two required teachers' recommendations should be completed by those who have instructed you in college preparatory courses in either of your final two years of secondary school.  The College prefers that an English or history teacher complete one of the two recommendations.

Secondary school requirements

Trinity requires a diploma from and certification by an accredited secondary school. The academic program should consist of at least sixteen academic units, typically including the following minimum number of courses: English (4 years), foreign language (3 years), laboratory science (2 years), algebra (2 years), geometry (1 year), history (2 years).

Secondary school juniors who have achieved a level of personal and intellectual maturity and of academic competence which implies readiness for college may apply for acceptance by early admission. In these circumstances, the regular application procedures should be followed during the junior year.

Standardized testing requirements

Applicants may submit one or more of the following options:

1)  the SAT I Reasoning Test (with writing);
2)  any two SAT II Subject Tests;
3)  the ACT (writing is recommended).

International students whose first language is not English are advised to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in place of or in addition to one of the other standardized tests mentioned above. 

It is the applicant's responsibility to have test scores sent to the Admissions Office.  Trinity's CEEB code is 3899.

Submission of Fine and Performing Arts Material

Trinity College admits students of any race, creed, color and national or ethnic origin and regardless of sex or handicap.  Trinity College does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, handicap, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs.

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