Here's a deans-eye view of teaching the teachers at Iowa. We need to admit the right students in the first place. Then we look at ACT scores, prior experience, an essay on why the student wants to be admitted, prior course work, and letters of recommendation. It isn't easy to get into the college. The 2.70 requirement is one of the highest of the 31 colleges and universities in the State of Iowa that have teacher training programs.
English education is the most competitive.
The college's Language Literacy program, which has a high reputation nationally, admits about one-third of the applicants it receives. Social studies education is next, with 50 to 60 percent of applicants admitted. In these programs, the college is looking for about a 3.40-3.50 GPA and high marks in certain courses. Elementary education admitted all eligible students until the summer of 1997, when it moved to a competitive-based enrollment. Now an applicant with a GPA over 2.70 may not be admitted, based on a variety of criteria.