The entering class of 2010 may have an edge on the rest of the student body, thanks to ACU’s new – and stricter – admissions process.

Beginning in August, ACU decided to switch from its rolling admissions process to one based on deadlines. Under the previous policy, students could apply anytime within a period of months, and the university accepted applications on a first come, first served basis until all the spaces were filled.

However, in the past few years, ACU received an increasing number of applications, and places filled up too quickly for a rolling admission.

The deadline-based process allows university administrators to view the entire pool of applicants and select the most qualified. As a result, the average ACT score of incoming freshmen admitted so far is 25.29, as opposed to last year’s average of 24.91, said Dr. Jeanine Varner, provost, in an e-mail.

Instead of providing letters of recommendation, applicants for the fall 2010 will also have to respond to essay questions as part of the application.

Prospective students have the option to take “Early Action” and apply by Nov. 1 or wait until the regular deadline of Feb. 15. Students who apply by the early deadline but fail to meet minimum admissions requirements will be deferred until the regular deadline.

“These students have been encouraged to retake the ACT or SAT I, send a new transcript at the end of the semester and keep us updated on any new significant achievements,” Varner said in an e-mail.

Acceptance letters will be mailed to early decision applicants Nov. 20; regular decision applicants will be notified by March 15. Those accepted have until May 1 to submit their enrollment deposit and intent to enroll forms, but students are encouraged to do so sooner, if possible.

“Because of the increased student demand this year, the admissions office is planning to stop accepting freshman applications at some point this spring,” Varner said in an e-mail, “possibly as early as February 15.”