In years past, CMU’s qualifications for enrollment were slightly different than they are now. As of the fall 2012 semester, school acceptance policies have changed. CMU is now considered a selective school.

“Our students already meet that high index score,” Director of Media Relations Dana Nunn said. “We are changing to meet what already is.”

A selective school is based on index score, which is a combination of GPA, class rank and ACT scores. The higher the index, the higher the selective level. CMU is now at an index of 92 instead of 85, where it has been in previous years.

When looking at enrollment, a school considers how well the students will perform there. On average, a successful student is one with a GPA of at least 2.0.

According to President Tim Foster, the index rose because student success at CMU increased.

“It was a reflection of what we were and what we are,” Foster said.

Because students were doing better in their classes, it seemed a logical choice to raise CMU to the level of a selective school.

President Foster explained that it helps students “not get in over their heads.” In other words, if a student’s index is above the 92 line, they are accepted and can take whichever classes they wish.

However, if the student’s index is lower than the 92 line, students are enrolled in “provisional acceptance.” This means the applicants may still take classes, but the courses are assigned and the students get more advising than those above the 92 index.

CMU now has the same index score as CU-Colorado Springs and is two points below the University of Northern Colorado. Other selective schools in Colorado include the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado State University and Ft. Lewis College.

kirick@mavs.coloradomesa.edu