Admissions

The admissions selection process is designed to identify students who have potential for completing the academic degree they plan to pursue. Students are admitted on the basis of many different expressions of their qualities and abilities: scholastic achievement, factors relating to character, and extracurricular activities.

Students are encouraged to request information from the admissions office and are encouraged to visit campus. An interview with an admissions counselor is a recommended step in the application process. Arrangements for visits can be made through the admissions office at 540-432-4118 or at www.emu.edu/admissions. 

High School Preparation for College
Students completing the college preparatory program of study in their high school will be best prepared for college. Typically students take four units of English, three of math, three of science, three of social studies, and two or more of foreign language. Chemistry is essential for students who plan to enter the nursing program. Students accepted into EMU who have not completed their high school's college preparatory program should give special consideration to their course selection with their advisor.

Early Admission
Students who have accelerated their high school program and wish to enroll at EMU prior to graduation from high school are required to submit an application for admission. In addition to regular admission requirements, applicants for early admission will be asked to demonstrate academic excellence and social readiness for college. Letters of recommendation from the high school counselor and an English teacher are required of early applicants. An interview with an EMU admissions counselor is also required.

Applying for Admission
Any student wishing to enroll for the first time for 6 or more semester hours (SH) within a given semester is required to apply for admission to the university. New students are admitted for either the fall or spring semester. Admission to EMU is granted on a rolling basis. It is recommended, however, that high school students apply in the fall of their senior year.

1. Application for Admission: A completed admission application must be submitted to the admissions office by anyone wishing to enroll for 6 or more semester hours for the first time. Applying for admission to EMU constitutes an indication of a student's desire to be a part of a university community made up of students, faculty, administrators and staff members.

2. Transcripts: Applicants need to request a current transcript be sent from their high school to the admissions office. A supplementary (final) transcript will be required upon completion of high school. Home schooled applicants must submit a transcript for course work from grades 9-12. Transfer applicants should also request that official transcripts of all college courses completed be sent to the admissions office. The transfer transcript(s) must include all college-level credit earned. If a transfer student has earned thirty or more SH post high school from other colleges or universities, a high school transcript is not required.

3. Entrance Tests: Scores from either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Testing Program (ACT) are optional for all first-year applicants. EMU's SAT college code is 5181; the ACT college code is 4348. Students can have scores sent directly to the university from the testing organization.

4. References: Applicants who do not meet the basic entry requirements may be required to submit contact information of an academic and a character reference. The academic reference should be an English teacher.

Transferring to EMU
Students from other institutions who are considering a transfer to EMU are invited to visit the university, talk with professors, and visit classes. Upon request, unofficial assessments of how credits will be transferred to EMU will be provided after an application for admission is submitted. Transfer students from two-year colleges may transfer up to 65 semester hours (75 from Hesston College) toward a degree at EMU. Students planning to transfer to EMU for the completion of a degree will find it helpful to contact the EMU admissions staff as early as possible. 

Credit will be awarded for transfer courses in which the student has earned a grade of C or better. All transfer courses will be recorded with the titles and grades reported by the previous school. However, transfer credits will not be included when calculating the EMU cumulative GPA.

EMU maintains a special transfer agreement with Hesston College (Hesston, KS), Blue Ridge Community College (Weyers Cave, VA), and Lord Fairfax Community College (Middletown, VA) to assure the most beneficial transfer of credits for students of these institutions continuing their education at EMU. For details of the transfer agreements, contact the admissions counselor for transfer students or the EMU registrar's office at registrar@emu.edu.

Transfer students must take at least 30 SH in residence at EMU. At least 9 hours in the student's major and 6 hours in any minor must be taken at EMU.

For a full statement of transfer credit policies and practices see the university registrar's website: https://emu.edu/registrar.

Application for Readmission
EMU students not enrolled at the university for one semester (fall or spring) or more or who withdraw from EMU while a semester is in progress must complete an application for readmission prior to re-enrollment. Applications for readmission may be obtained online or at the admissions office. Applicants are evaluated on academic as well as student life standing within the EMU community. Unconditional readmission may be granted when an applicant has met the satisfactory academic progress criteria and has a positive recommendation from Student Life.

If a student is seeking readmission for any reason other than academic performance or academic misconduct, including suspensions for disciplinary reasons, the Dean of Students will work with the Provost Office, who, in consultation with other officials, as appropriate, will determine the student’s readiness to return. This may involve a Readmission consultation with the student and other CARE Team members. In cases where a written progress assessment from a treating health professional is required, EMU will require a release from the student to permit appropriate officials to discuss current treatment and follow-up needs with the treating health professional.

Any applicant who is denied readmission may appeal that decision by filing a written request for review to the provost within 10 days of being notified of the decision. The student should include with that request any additional supporting information not previously available, particularly information of an academic nature.

Students readmitted to EMU after an absence from enrollment at any college or university for at least four successive semesters may request that their entire EMU record be re-evaluated as a transfer record. To qualify, the student must earn a 2.0 GPA for the first 12 SH following re-enrollment and submit a written appeal to the Academic Review Committee. 

The following regulations govern this option:

• The request must be made within 60 days after completing the first 12 SH of credit following readmission.

• The option will be granted only once to a student.

• Eligible students will receive degree credit for only those courses in which grades of C or better were earned prior to readmission.

• Quality points earned for all courses completed prior to readmission will not be included in calculating the new cumulative GPA.

• All grades will remain on the transcript.

International Student Admission
As a university which emphasizes cross-cultural education, EMU welcomes international students who have the necessary preparation to enter a degree program.

International students should clearly indicate their nationality in all correspondence with the admissions office. If the student is currently in the United States, he or she must indicate U.S. immigration status.

Financial aid, in the form of partial tuition grants and on-campus employment, is available on a limited basis. Federal assistance is not available for international students.

Completion of the International Student Application Form constitutes the first step in the application process for the international student. Admission requirements for international students are consistent with those of non-international students. Examined transcripts must be translated. Applicants whose native language is other than English must demonstrate English language proficiency with a paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550+, or a computer- based TOEFL score of 213+ or an internet-based TOEFL score of 79+, or an IELTS score of 6.5+. SAT and ACT scores are also accepted. International students with scores lower than what is listed above may be granted admission to the university with designated enrollment in the Bridge program. See information on the Bridge program.

In addition to the above requirements, an international student must demonstrate "ability to pay."

Summer School
Enrollment in summer school is a separate process and does not constitute regular admission to the university. Students wishing to enroll in summer courses should contact the university registrar's office at registrar@emu.edu.

Requirements for Admission
Factors given consideration in the admission decision include previous academic performance in high school or college, ability as indicated by the SAT, ACT, GED, TOEFL or IELTS scores, personal maturity, and commitment to uphold the lifestyle expectations of EMU.

Admission may be granted to first-year applicants who have a high school grade point average of 2.6 or above (on a 4.00 scale), and thorough review of the student’s application and other supporting application materials. Non-academic criteria are considered in the admission process. Applicants must demonstrate positive character and good community standing. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee; admission may be denied or revoked.

• An international applicant whose primary native language is other than English must demonstrate English language proficiency through a paper-based TOEFL score of 550+ or computer-based TOEFL score of 213+ or internet-based TOEFL score of 79+ or an IELTS score of 6.5+ or SAT evidenced-based reading and writing of 460 or ACT English score of 19. SAT scores prior to March 1, 2016 will be converted to the new SAT scale.

• A General Educational Development (GED) score may be submitted for consideration in the admission process in place of a high school transcript.

• A transcript for coursework from grades 9-12 may be submitted for consideration in the admission process for home schooled applicants.

• Transfer applicants may receive unconditional admission by submitting transcripts of previous accredited college work showing at least a 2.00 grade point average in 15 SH of transferable credit. Transfer applicants with fewer than the minimum requirements for unconditional admission may be granted academic warning or academic probation based on a review of previous academic performance and credit hours earned.

• Applicants who have not been enrolled full-time in post-secondary education or have accumulated fewer than 15 SH will be evaluated on their high school and post-secondary records.

• Admitted students whose final high school grade point average falls below 2.6 will be reviewed by the admissions committee. Admission status may be changed or revoked.

Conditional admission is granted to a limited number of students each semester who fall just below the requirements for unconditional admission but who otherwise demonstrate the ability and motivation to adequately perform university-level work.

• Conditional admission means that students participate in the Academic Advocacy program, under the supervision of the Provost’s office. The program will provide holistic advising and student support to strengthen the student's potential for success. Students work with a "first year" advisor to develop a manageable course load during their first two semesters and will take a college success course during their first semester. See the Academic Support section for more information.

The Admission Decision
The receipt of an application by the admissions office is acknowledged by letter, email or phone call. An admission decision is considered when the file is complete with all requested information. The applicant will be notified of delays in receiving necessary information. A letter of admission, outlining any conditions associated with the admission, or a letter of denial will be sent to the student within seven days after a decision has been made. Students qualifying for unconditional admission are granted admission by the admissions office. Admission decisions for applicants not meeting unconditional admission criteria are made by the Admissions Committee.

Appealing the Admission Decision
Any applicant who is denied admission, or who is granted conditional admission may appeal that decision by filing a written request for review to the director of Admissions within 10 days of being notified of the decision. The student should include with that request any additional supporting information not previously available, particularly information of an academic nature.

The Admissions Committee will consider the appeal and report its decision to the student in writing within 30 days of the receipt of the request.

Any student who chooses to go beyond the first appeal must direct a second appeal in writing to the Vice President for Innovation and Student Recruitment and the Provost’s office within ten days of receiving the committee's decision on the first appeal.

Continuance of Admission Status
Students that meet the required academic criteria are granted unconditional readmission each subsequent semester. Students failing to meet the criteria may be placed on an academic warning, academic probation, or denied readmission.

Academic review information can be found under the Academic Policies section of the academic catalog.

Credit by Examination and Experience
Options for advanced placement, credit by examination and service-learning credit are described in Credit by Examination and Service-Learning Credit in the Academic and Degree Information section.

Part-Time Enrollment
Part-time enrollment is defined as taking 11 SH or fewer in a semester. To enroll for 6 hours or more, a student must be admitted to the university (see Applying for Admission in the Admissions section).

Students may enroll for fewer than 6 hours by completing registration forms available from the university registrar's office.

High School Concurrent Enrollment
Students in their senior year of high school may enroll in one course per semester, with the written recommendation from their high school guidance counselor or principal. Registration for credit or audit by persons not yet at the high school senior level or by high school seniors who want to take more than one course per semester must have special approval from the vice president and a dean. Contact the university registrar's office (registrar@emu.edu) for details.

Preparation for Enrollment
The following steps are important in completing the admission process and preparing for enrollment.

• Tuition Deposit - A tuition deposit of $200 is required of new and readmitted students prior to enrollment and is credited to the student’s account. The deposit is nonrefundable after May 1 (fall enrollment) or December 1 (spring enrollment). On-campus housing assignments and course registration will not be made prior to the receipt of the tuition deposit.

• Medical Forms - The university requires new students to complete the Physical Examination Record prior to the first day of classes.

• Orientation and Preregistration - Believing that orientation to university life is a very important step, the university provides opportunity for this prior to enrollment. Participation in Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) is recommended for all new first-year and transfer students. This program provides opportunity for increased familiarity with the campus environment, preregistration for classes and establishing relationships with other new students. Parents are given opportunity to learn more about the philosophy and objectives of student life at EMU.

• Financial Assistance/Loan Applications - New and returning students who wish to be considered for financial assistance are required to complete financial assistance forms early in the calendar year prior to enrollment. Deadlines and appropriate forms are available from the financial assistance office.

• Payment of First Semester Bill - Payment for each semester is due one week before classes begin. See the Tuition and Fees section for more details.

• Fall Orientation and Registration - All new students are expected to participate in orientation sessions held immediately prior to the start of classes. Students are introduced to more specific details related to campus living and student life expectations. Details regarding these sessions are sent several weeks in advance. All students (including those who participated in spring registration) participate in final fall registration at the start of the school year.