Shimer College
Application Guide
Weekday and Weekend Programs


The following is a guide to assist you in completing your application for admission to Shimer College. If at any time you have a question that isn’t answered here, please send us an email at admission@shimer.edu or call us at 800-215-7173 or 312-235-3500

  • Are you applying as a Weekday or Weekend student? The Weekday Program is designed for traditional-age college students. Each course meets three to four days each week and a typical course load is three to four courses per semester. The Weekend Program meets every third weekend, seven times each semester. This is an intensive option for mature individuals who have been out of high school for a number of years. The program provides adults the opportunity to pursue a Liberal Arts degree full- or part-time while they meet their family or work obligations.
  • High School or GED Transcripts are required for any student who has fewer than 60 earned semester (or 90 quarter) hours at another college.
  • College Entrance Examinations (ACT or SAT): In most cases, Shimer College does not require college entrance examinations for admission. However, if they are available, we ask that they be posted on your high school transcript or that you ask the testing agency to forward the results to Shimer. Shimer’s ACT code is 1142 and its SAT code is 1717.
  • College Transcripts: If you have attended any college or university since high school, you are regarded as a transfer student. Please list all the schools you have attended since high school and contact the registrar at each of these schools to request that an official transcript be sent to Shimer College. These transcripts are necessary before your application can be reviewed. Send transcripts and all other application materials to:
Shimer College
Office of Admission
3424 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60616
  • Job History: Many high school students have part-time and/or summer jobs. If you are applying to the Weekday program, Shimer would be interested to know about them. If you are applying for the Weekend Program. job experience is especially important; it is among the primary criteria considered in reviewing your application for admission to Shimer.
  • Admission Interviews are usually conducted in person after the college has received your application. However, if you are visiting the campus, we will be happy to meet with you at that time. If you are unavailable for a personal interview, arrangements can be made for a telephone interview.
  • Essays or Writing Samples are an important part of your application. They will be read carefully by the Admission Committee. As an alternative to the questions listed on the application form, you may elect to submit a portfolio of two or three examples of expository writing of high quality.

    As the Great Books College of Chicago, we at Shimer look forward to having you join us as we continue our mission of preparing citizens of the world.


COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION WITH THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
  1. Application fee of $25 by check or money order made payable to Shimer College.
  2. Official high school transcripts.
  3. An interview which may be conducted on the Shimer campus or by phone.
  4. Official transcripts from each college attended.
  5. At least one letter of recommendation. Ideally, this will be academic. However, it may come from an employer or someone else who knows you well.


WEEKDAY PROGRAM

Essays: Two carefully written, typed and substantive essays
1. Describe an educational experience which you found to be rewarding or frustrating
2. What book have you read recently that you found especially significant or valuable? What difference has it made in your life?
WEEKEND PROGRAM

The weekend program meets every third weekend on the Shimer campus

Writing Sample: Include a sample of writing that demonstrates your written communication skills


Application for

of

in the



 

Name and Address Information

LastFirstMiddle or MaidenGender
NicknameEmail
Permanent AddressMailing Address If different from Permanent
Address
Line 2
CityStateZIP or Postal Code
--
CountryTelephone
Use this address until (Date)
Address
Line 2
CityStateZIP or Postal Code
--
CountryTelephone
SSN Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy) Place of birth
Are you a U.S. citizen? If not, are you a permanent resident? If not, what is your citizenship?
Are you a veteran of the US Armed Forces?
Enlisted Date

(mm/dd/yyyy)		Discharged Date

(mm/dd/yyyy)
Please identify yourself, checking all that apply. (This is an optional question.)
Asian American, Pacific IslanderEskimo, Aleut, Native AmericanWhiteHispanic, Latino
African American, Black
How did you hear about Shimer?
Do you plan to live on campus?


Do you plan to file for federal financial aid?



High School Information

NameAddressCityStateZIP or Postal CodeCountry
--
HS Grad (mm/yy)Counselor's NameCounselor's Phone
Please list all schools attended since high schoolYears Attended
If you are not currently in school, please describe what you are doing:

Academic Interests

List the academic areas in which you have the greatest interest (e.g., Literature, Mathematics, Philosophy)
List the extracurricular or community activities you hope to pursue at Shimer College

Employment History

EmployerPositionDates of employment

Emergency Contact

ParentGuardianSpouseSignificant Other
LastFirstMiddleJr., etc
AddressCityStateZIP or Postal Code
-- --
Daytime PhoneEvening PhoneEmailCountry
Test Scores: If you plan to submit any of the following, please list the scores and test dates and have the official scores sent to Shimer College
ScoreDate
ACT
SAT
GED
TOEFL
Please submit one letter of recommendation. Ideally, this will be academic. However, it may come from an employer or someone else who knows you well.
Name of person submitting the recommendation
The information supplied by me on this application is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Applicant's Signature
Your typed signature will be accepted and is legally binding.		Date