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Office of Admission Records Finding Aid: Collection Overview

Title: Office of Admission of Emmanuel College Records

Date(s): 1935-2024 (bulk 1970s-2024)

Repository I.D.: US: MBEmm: Adm-2023-7

Collection Call No.: Adm-2023-7

Author/Collector/Creator:

Office of Admissions. Emmanuel College (Boston, Mass.)

Office of Marketing and Communications. Emmanuel College (Boston, Mass.)

Office of Student Financial Services. Emmanuel College (Boston, Mass.)

Location: Emmanuel Archives—Cardinal Cushing Library

Extent: 1.5 linear feet (4 boxes/ 116 folders)

Language(s): Materials are in English.

Abstract: This collection contains documents created by the Office of Admissions, in consultation with the Office of Marketing and Communications, to promote the College by highlighting the College, its programs, students, alumni, and faculty to promote student enrollment at Emmanuel College.

Access Restrictions: 1) The collection is not restricted. 2) Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the College Archivist.

Preferred Citation: [Item Title]. [Box Number, Folder Number]. Cardinal Cushing Library Records. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

Related Collection(s):  
Office of Marketing and Communications Records. Cardinal Cushing Library, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.

 

Provenance: The documents were under the care and jurisdiction of Emmanuel College’s Office of Admissions. Over time the College Archivists collected the documents and received other documents from the Office of Admissions and other College Offices.

Processed By: Processed by John P. Healey, Jr. from April 2024 to September 2024

Biography/History: When Emmanuel College first opened it was a day to school and to apply individuals had to complete an application with a deposit of ten dollars. Perspective students could submit applications for admission by three methods. The first was a college entrance achievement examination conducted by Emmanuel College, Trinity College (Washington DC) or an affiliated institution of higher learning.

The second method was the submission of a school report covering the entire record of subjects taken at a secondary school, a statement from the school principal that reflects upon the applicant’s scholarly interests, special ability, and character. This method also involved the submission of comprehensive achievement examinations that were to be taken after the Committee on Admission received the evidence submitted by their high school. The achievement examinations were selected from each of the following groups: (1) English (2) foreign language, selected by the applicant. (3) Mathematics or Chemistry or Physics as selected by the applicant. (4) A fourth subject, designated by the applicant from the subjects offered for admission by the College.

Emmanuel College has always allowed for the transfer of students from other institutions of higher learning without examination. When the College opened, the conditions for transfer to Emmanuel included: honorable withdrawal from a previous institution, provide evidence that they have fulfilled completely all the entrance requirements of Emmanuel College. In addition, candidates needed to give evidence of previous course work for evaluation by the Committee on Admissions, two letters of recommendations from former instructors, a copy of the applicant’s transcript (along with an academic catalog) from her previous college or university.

By the late 1920s, the College accepted examination results from the College Entrance Board. It also conducted an experiment where it would submit students without an examination (known as “admission by the first fifth privilege”). This plan involved perspectives to have completed secondary school course work, in good standing, that fulfils the requirements for admission to the privileges of examination, if recommended by her school, especially if the applicant has ranked seventh (or above) in the applicant’s high school graduating class.

The initial tuition in 1919-1920, the tuition was $ $150.00 per year. At this time the College was a commuter campus and there were no student housing options.

The admission to the College’s first Graduate School (1926-1933) involved an undergraduate transcript of all undergraduate course work. The College would then review the application and decide if the applicant would be admitted to the College’s Graduate School in either a Master of Arts or Master of Education programs. 

By the late 1930s, the College allowed a probationary admission process known as "admission by certificate." A high school would be certified by inspectors from the colleges to have an appropriate preparatory curriculum for college work, and students graduating from such a high school would be adequate without achievement testing. In 1939, the College instituted a formal administrative structure that included the “committee” structure (composed of admissions, advanced standing, and finance) to aid Sr. Helen Madeline Ingraham, SND, College Dean in the oversight of the College. The first members of the standing Admissions Committee were: Sr. Helen Madeleine, SND, Sr. Theresa Regina, SND, and Sr. Mary St. Edward, SND.

By 1944 the College explicitly required applicants to be a graduate of a secondary school approved by one of the regional associations of schools and colleges, or present evidence of a preparatory courses that were satisfactory to the Committee of Admissions. Course work should have included four years in English, three years of a foreign language, two years of mathematics, and a year of history. It also required an applicant’s scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and a personal interview with the Registrar (a member of the Committee of Admissions) of all applicants. These interviews were known to take place in the covenant reception room, a room that later became known as the “Fenway Room.” In 1948, an interview with the Registrar became a recommendation, rather than a requirement.

In 1951, the College ceased the practices of “admission by the first fifth privilege” and "admission by certificate."  Instead, applicants were admitted based on their school records, recommendations, scores on the College Board tests, and on other information secured by Emmanuel College about general ability, character, personality, and health. In addition, the requirements for transfer students included: meeting the requirements for admission to the freshman class, completion of thirty hours for admission to sophomore year and sixty hours for admission to junior year and a transcript from their previous institution of higher learning. Finally, applicants could be granted advanced standing at Emmanuel College without examination to students who have completed at least one year in an approved college or university. Otherwise, advanced standing may be obtained only by examination.

In 1960, when Sr. Ann Bartholomew Grady, SND was appointed as president, the College restructured its Admissions process. This was done by creating the Director Admissions position first held by Sr. Raymond Loretta. She was assisted in this work by the Admission Committee that, at this time, included:  Sr. Marie of the Trinity Barry, SND, Sr. Helen Margaret, Sr. Berchmans, Sr. Mary Frances and Esta Wall, the admissions secretary. It also required an applicant to acquire sixteen (16) high school credits in English, foreign languages, mathematics, history and other electives. 

By then, the College had implemented an early decision process. This involved action in the fall of senior year on the applications of well-qualified students who have applied to Emmanuel College only. Students who wish to enter under the early. Each applicant will be considered based on the recommendation of her principal or Guidance Counselor, her three-year high school record, rank in class, and the results of the College Entrance Examinations. Notification of admission under this plan would be mailed in November and would be admitted upon the applicants’ successful completion of high school.

In 1963, Sr. Raymond Loretta was appointed Dean of Students and Sr. Evelyn Margaret Dean of Admissions, and Esta L. Walsh was appointed Assistant Director of Dean of Students.

In 1967-1968, when the College became a majority residential campus, the tuition was $700.00 per semester and room and board per semester was $550.00 per semester.

In 1973, the application fee increased to fifteen-dollar ($15). The College sought to expand its applicant pool and stated that it wanted potential college candidates who in the past may have been overlooked in the past and offered supplemental training to achieve this goal. A personal interview with a representative of the Admissions Office was required.

Students wishing to transfer to Emmanuel College in September or January require completion of an application fee. It also required a college transcript for all college courses, an official transcript of secondary school records, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. Moreover, the process involved a copy of the catalogue of the accredited institution from the school of transfer, and letters of recommendations.

In 1977, the College required a non-refundable $20.00 fee with an application and applicants were encouraged to visit the campus during their junior and senior years to attend classes and talk to students and faculty.

By 1981, the early admissions program early Admission, outstanding candidates may enter Emmanuel one year early. The College welcomes the applications of superior high school juniors, recommended by their high school officials as having already attained a high degree, personal maturity and social adjustment both domestically and internationally.

The average yearly tuition for 1981-1982 was $4,700.00 (yearly) and room and board per semester was $1,330.00.

In addition, by the end of the decade, entrance to the College’s second Graduate School and Continuing Education, opened in 1964, either as degree candidates or as other type students required a selection of criteria that included: successful completion of a high school program or its equivalent plus indication of motivation and an eagerness to learn. If a student has had previous college or other higher education, official transcripts from those institutions attended are required for those candidates seeking a graduate degree. In addition, three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, a personal interview was required for admittance.

Graduate degrees offered at this time included Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Pastoral Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, and Educational and Pastoral Ministry. Certificate programs were offered for Pastoral Counseling, Educational and Pastoral Ministry, Spirituality and Aging, Religious Education and Social Justice and Urban Ministry.

In the 1998-1999, candidates for first year admission needed to submit such credentials as to a completed application and $40 non-refundable application fee, an official secondary school transcript or GED score, SAT or ACT results and two letters of academic reference, with
one from a secondary school guidance counselor and the other from a secondary school teacher. In addition, it is encouraged that applicants schedule a personal interview with an admissions counselor and campus tour.

The average yearly tuition for 1998-1999 was $14,904 (yearly) and room and board was $5,220 (triple), $7,025 (double), $ 8,766 (single) per year.

In the 2000s the admission for traditional undergraduates included: successful completion of high school, SAT scores, recommendation letters, community activities and a personal statement.

By 2002-2003, the College’s second Graduate School and Continuing Education sought to increase opportunities for life-long learning to define personal meaning and value. The College implements this philosophy by enabling students to enroll in courses or in degree programs
that meet educational needs on a timely basis. Through the Graduate and Professional Programs, degrees and courses are offered to adults who seek to begin, continue and complete, or further their formal education. Students may study on a part-time or full-time basis.

Admission requirements varied based upon degree.

At this time, the College offered programs, such as Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) - ECAP Program, Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (HCA), Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RNs (BSN). Graduate degree and certificate programs included: Master of Arts in Teaching (MA), Master of Education in School Administration (M.Ed.), Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership, Master of Science in Management (MSM), Master of Arts in Human Resource Management (HRM), and Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management (HRC).

The average yearly tuition for 2008-2009 was $ 28,200 (yearly) and room and board was $9,350.00 (economy triple), $ 10,000 (triple), $ 11,800 (double), $13,480 (single) and $700 (suite) per year.

In 2014-2015 the application fee was $60, and the average yearly tuition was $35,312 while room and board costs ranged from $11,080 to $ 16,065, depending on the type of housing that was selected by the students and assigned by the College.

In 2023-2024, Admissions decisions were based on several factors, including: academic record, optional submission of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) results, two letters of recommendations, extracurricular and community activities. In addition, a completed application with an essay and $60 non-refundable application fee was required.

In 2023-2024, Emmanuel College tuition was $ 46,200, while room and board ranged from $ 10,600 to $ 19,800, depending on the type of housing that was selected by the students and assigned by the College.

Directors/Deans of Admissions	Years of Service
Sr. Raymond Loretta ‘60	1960-1963
Esta L. Wall ‘48	1963-1964
Sr. Evelyn Margaret	1964-1967
Sr. Janet Eisner, SND ‘63	1967-1971
Sr. Ann Louise McNamara, SND	1971-1974
Dennis P. Farrell	1974-1976
Edward Gillis	1977-1980
Tina Segalla	1981-1985
Maureen Ferrari	1985-1991
Margaret Spillane Bonilla	1991-1993
Kathleen Kinsey Manning	1993-1995
Mary Ellen Ackerson	1995-1996
Maureen Ferrari	1996-c. 1998
Margaret Miller	c. 1998-2000
Sandra M. Robbins	2000-2006
Suzanne Lavoie Carty	2006-

Scope and Content: The material contained in this collection, developed in consultation with the Office of Marketing and Communications and the Office of Student Financial Services, reflects the Office of Admissions focus on providing information about Emmanuel College to interested individuals and reviewing their applications in the process to recruit matriculating students for the College. The collection contains departmental records, College and departmental viewbooks, and various admissions pamphlets of students, alumni, and informational pamphlets for the public. The collection contains four series and spans from 1935-2024 with the bulk of the records spanning between the 1970s-2024.

Collection Arrangement: The material contained in this collection reflects the Office of Admissions focus on providing information about Emmanuel College to interested individuals. The collection is arranged into four series that are: 1. Departmental Memos, correspondences, and records, 2. College and department viewbooks and prospectuses. 3. Office of Admission Pamphlets and 4. Miscellaneous. The collection spans from 1935 through 2024 with the bulk of the records spanning between the 1970s-2024.