Criteria

The Admissions Committee works long and hard to learn as much as possible about each applicant. Experience has shown that the best guidelines for the selection of students is explained in the following criteria, listed roughly in order of importance, with the first two items being the most important.

  1. Good grades in 7th and 8th grade are critical. “A’s” and “B’s” are encouraged. Each “C” reduces an applicant’s chances. A “D” or an “F” might eliminate an applicant from consideration.
  2. Preference is given to Catholic applicants, especially those actively involved with Catholic parishes and schools. Approximately 75 percent of each year’s freshman class is Catholic. We strongly hope that our non-Catholic applicants are also actively involved with their religion and church.
  3. Applicants should be passionately involved in at least two extra-curricular activities. It is expected that an applicant will continue this involvement at Bellarmine.
  4. Bellarmine considers standardized test scores from 7th and 8th grade. In addition, each applicant must take an entrance exam.
  5. Each applicant submits three recommendations. Each is read closely and strongly considered.
Bellarmine usually receives approximately 900 applications. Most of these applicants are talented and qualified. Bellarmine is able to accept 40 to 45 percent of these applicants.