We are pleased that you are considering applying to John Paul the Great Catholic University!

Students planning to enter JP Catholic should apply as early as possible to ensure a place and the opportunity to obtain the best financial aid

Before you apply, please take the time to read and/or review our detailed JP Catholic University catalog. It includes all the enrollment and admissions information you will need; it describes in detail the academic programs, the course descriptions, and the academic policies.

Once you are ready to apply, you will find that the application form (PDF) has the flexibility to allow you to express your academic aspirations and strengths. It is critical that you state why you feel that JP Catholic is the appropriate school for you. Include all the information about you that you believe is important for the Admissions Committee to evaluate your application.

You may be interviewed either in person or by telephone to assess whether you have a reasonable chance of successfully completing the degree program you are interested in. The interview will:

1. Explore your interests in the degree programs offered at JP Catholic.
2. Help you identify the appropriate area of study best suited with your background and interest.
3. Provide you with information concerning curriculum offerings and support services available at JP Catholic.
4. Help you understand the spiritual dimension to JP Catholic.

The Admissions Committee act upon applications submitted monthly.

A complete application will include:

1. A completed application form (PDF).
2. Two letters of reference - one by a recent teacher.
3. All your high school transcripts, indicating date of graduation. If you have not yet graduated from high school you should provide the most current partial transcript. For applicants with a GED certificate, your transcript should show the date you achieved it along with your scores.
4. Your SAT or ACT test scores (see Admission Requirements)
5. A 2-page essay of approximately 300 words describing how you believe an education at JP Catholic will help you attain your personal faith and professional career goals.

Your final high school transcript should be submitted as soon as possible after your graduation to complete your application. If you have taken college-level studies elsewhere, please submit the college transcript, as well as your high school transcript.

Your application is the means for you to: describe your unique strengths; tell us what motivates you; describe your intellectual passions; and share your hopes and dreams with us. We want to hear about your commitment to Jesus Christ. Completing the application form can be a difficult task, but we hope you will give it your all. Take the time you need to submit an application that fully reflects who you truly are and not the person you think JP Catholic is looking for, as there is no “typical” JP Catholic student.

Show us clearly that you: believe in yourself and that you recognize your God-given talents; have confidence in what you have done; and trust where you are going. We feel privileged to read your application, to learn about your achievements thus far, your talents, and dreams. Our staff approaches the admission process with sincere and deep respect for you, and we will give your application our most serious consideration.

The Freshman Application Essay
Your application essay connects your past and your future, with the bridge being the education you will receive at JP Catholic. It should address you, your character and beliefs. It must describe why JP Catholic's unique and novel academic program is the right program for you.

Think carefully about who you are, and your future potential to achieve great things, both spiritually and professionally. Think about what matters most to you, think about the experiences you have had and how these experiences have influenced you, and build the essay from there. The essay need not include something exceptional that happened to you (either positive or negative) in the past, but should include some past experience and what you made of that experience.

We want to hear your individual voice throughout your essay. Ask your parents, teachers, and friends to provide constructive feedback. When you ask for feedback on a draft, ask if the essay reflects you. It should. If they do not believe that your essay captures who you are, or what you believe, then we will be unable to discover what is most distinctive about you.

Resist the urge to “package” yourself, your past and your future dreams in order to come across in a way you think JP Catholic wants. This will blur the picture of who you actually are, what you value, what motivates you, what may in fact be distinctive. The strongest application essay is one that describes the true you.

Receiving Your Application
Your application brings together your various supporting credentials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) from which we create a folder with your name on it. We will confirm receipt of your application via e-mail. If something is missing that is necessary to complete our review, we will contact you and ask you to provide the missing documentation.

Making Our Decision - the Application Review Process
Your application will be thoroughly reviewed by the Admissions Committee. While we have no set "formulas", we actively seek a mix of students who have a variety of interests, talents, and goals. Our evaluation will examine your academic background, including the relative strength of your high school program and your performance in your courses, and your standardized test scores. We also consider your application essay, letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf, and your activities in school, church and community. While we will accept students independent of faith, a strong commitment to Jesus Christ is weighed heavily in making our admission decision.