Ricketts Great Books College admits students on the basis of demonstrated readiness and motivation, measured by three performance tasks rather than transcripts or test scores.
Every applicant completes three tasks:
Reading test. You read selected passages from the Great Books tradition and answer comprehension and analysis questions. Evaluated on comprehension, inference, textual support, and clarity of reasoning.
Intellectual autobiography (3–5 pages). You describe your intellectual development, your formative experiences with books and ideas, and your motivation for studying at the College. Evaluated on depth of reflection, organization, prose quality, and motivation.
Sample Socratic seminar. A short passage is provided 48 hours in advance; you join a live, professor-led discussion with other applicants. Evaluated on text-grounded contributions, the quality of your questions, listening and collegiality, clarity, and openness to revising your views.
Each task is rated “Meets Standard” or “Does Not Yet Meet Standard.” Applicants who meet the standard on all three are admitted. An applicant who does not yet meet the standard on one task may try again in the next application cycle. If a cohort fills, admitted students are placed in the next available start term.
The College does not request or consider high-school transcripts, standardized test scores, or letters of recommendation. Admission is based solely on the three performance tasks.
Begin with the Apply Now form. The language of instruction is English. Reasonable accommodations are available on request; notify the College in advance of your assessments.
For all student policies, see Consumer Information & Policies.
