The application process for the 2022-23 school year begins in November 15, 2021. Current 8th grade students will create an online profile through the RC website. In addition to the questions within the application to be answered, we require the following documents to be uploaded within the online application:
Students should begin the application as soon as possible. There will be a set of questions for you to answer, in addition to the above components. We highly recommend filling out the questions and selecting the “submit” button. This does not mean your application is complete, this means that your name will be in our system with an open application. This will also give you more time to go back and upload ACT Scores, Grade Reports, and the payment. This also gives your recommending teachers enough time to complete the questions that we will email them. All portions of the application need to be completed by the deadlines below:
November 15, 2021 – Applications Open! Applications for all interested students open online through the Robinson Center website.
February 15, 2022 – All Applications Due Complete online applications are due to the Robinson Center by 5pm
By or before June 15, 2022 – Admission Decision Notifications All Transition School applicants will be notified of final admission decisions.
All Transition School applicants must submit ACT scores. The ACT test helps us assess readiness for college-level work. We do not expect our applicants to prep extensively for the ACT; at most, read through the practice test and familiarize yourself with the format of the test. If the Transition School is the right educational fit for you, you should be able to take the exam without much preparation.
ACT Reading and Math scores in the 85th percentile or higher show potential readiness for college-level work. However, we review applications with a holistic lens, so students applying with ACT scores below the 85th percentile are still encouraged to submit all materials.
Code: When asked for a school code for the Transition School, enter either 481174 (if asked for a 6-digit code) or 9899 (if asked for a 4-digit code).
*February 12, 2022 is the final ACT date to meet the Transition School application deadline.
Academic grade reports from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are required and can be uploaded to the online application portal. Screen shots of official online report cards may be substituted if necessary. 6th and 7th grade academic reports must include final grades for all courses completed. • 8th grade transcripts must include all 1st semester or trimester grades whichever are most current at the time of application.
Applicants will select two educators who can speak to the student’s academic performance and behavior in the classroom. One recommendation should come from a Math or Science teacher and the second from a Humanities (Language Arts or History) teacher.
In addition, applicants will select a third person who can speak to the student's other personal attributes and characteristics that may extend beyond the classroom. This recommendation must be from a non-family adult who has supervised the student in an on-going capacity and may include a third teacher or school staff member, a community group or volunteer supervisor, a religious or clergy supervisor, or a private instructor.
Those individuals selected by the applicant to provide a recommendation will not need to write a letter. Applicants should communicate their intentions to apply to Transition School and request permission to include the person’s email address in the Robinson Center online portal as part of the Transition School application. Transition School will send each person additional information and a questionnaire about the applicant to submit directly to TS.
While not required, applicants are encouraged to waive their right to review the teacher recommendation forms to allow those providing a recommendation to do so honestly in support of the student's academic pursuits.
Once all the application materials are complete, and the application fee is paid, applications are reviewed by the TS Admissions Committee. This committee determines whether the applicant will move on to the next stage of the admissions process with an interview. Families of applicants will receive emails through each stage of the process to communicate progression.
The next stage of the application process is the interview. Should the candidate be invited for an interview by the admissions committee, they will participate in an all day family visit to Robinson Center. Applicants will have the opportunity to engage with current Transition School students and participate in classes while their parent(s)/guardian(s) observe the classes. Both the applicant and parent(s)/guardian(s) will participate in an Interview with the Admissions Committee, either via Zoom or on campus at the Robinson Center.
Families will be notified of admission decisions according to the dates listed below:
All interviewees are allowed one opportunity to appeal the placement decision made by the Admissions Committee. Any denied applicant may appeal. Applicants that are waitlisted have not been formally denied and cannot appeal their position on the waitlist. Waitlisted students are eligible to appeal if they are denied after the waitlist period has expired. Generally, applicants petition for an appeal if they believe their academic or personal circumstances could not be considered adequately through the standard admission review process or that an error occurred in the application review. All appeals must be received within two weeks of the Transition School’s admission decision.
All students can view the current status of their application to the Transition School by logging into their account on the RC website and clicking “View Applications” on the left column menu. When an application is officially denied, the application status will reflect this change and offer applicants a new link which they can follow to appeal the decision. Clicking on the “appeal” link will bring up a page where applicants can describe their appeal and upload up to three documents that contribute to the case they are presenting to the admission committee. We recommend preparing these materials prior to clicking the link.
All appeals must include a formal appeal letter (no more than 3 typed pages), composed by the student applicant, which presents a clear and concise explanation of the applicant’s reasons for seeking reconsideration. Applicants should keep in mind that the application committee has already reviewed the original application. Typically, appeals present new information about the applicant or seek to provide additional explanation about aspects of the academic record that are not as strong, including information about circumstances and hardships, such as personal or family illness, factors related to a disability, or familial or cultural barriers that may have affected the applicant’s academic performance and record. Appeal letters should clearly explain why the applicant thinks they are a good candidate for the Transition School and why they are in need of the highly accelerated education offered by the Robinson Center.
Additionally, appeals may include (but do not require) supporting materials like updated transcripts, additional letters of support, or other documentation of the student’s experience.
All appeals are considered by the Robinson Center admission committee, which will reconsider each case and make initial decisions based on the information provided. If the RC admission committee decides not to support the appeal, it will be taken to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, where it will be considered again from a different angle. Final decisions will come from Dean’s Office, approximately three weeks after the appeal was received.
