Frequently Asked Questions

Please select a question below!

1. What courses do I need from high school to be considered for admission?
2. What does UIW consider for admission?
3. When should I apply?
4. What do I need to submit for admission?
5. What if I left my previous institution on academic probation or enforced withdrawal?
6. How many of my credits are transferable?

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What courses do I need from high school to be considered for admission?

A minimum 16 Carnegie units of work in high school including the following:

• Four units of English
• Three units of mathematics (algebra I, II and geometry)
• Three units of natural science
• Three units of social science
• One unit of the fine arts

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What does UIW consider for admission?

There are a variety of factors considered during the admissions process. They are listed in descending order by importance:

First-time Freshmen:

• high school course difficulty
• high school grade point average (g.p.a.)
• class rank
• SAT / ACT scores
• leadership potential
• extracurricular activities
• letters of recommendation

Transfers:

• Previous college work
• Extracurricular activities
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interview

Graduate

• Previous college work
• GRE/GMAT/MAT scores (most programs)
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal interview
• Extracurricular activities

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When should I Apply?

UIW operates on a Rolling Admissions cycle - with a complete application, decisions are generally made within two weeks.

First-Time Freshmen

Prospective freshmen are strongly encouraged to apply in timely manner, preferably before April 1st. UIW also offers a priority application. This means students who apply prior to February 1st will have their application fee waived. Early application ensures the timely processing of finacial aid, course registration, and orientation.

Transfers, Non degree seeking, or Transient

Transfers, Non-Degree Seeking, and Transient students are strongly encouraged to apply in a timely manner, preferably at the beginning of their last semester of enrollment at their current college. If you have been out of college for a semester or more, it is recommended that you apply at least one month prior to the start of the semester.

Graduate

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to apply at least one month prior to the start of the semester International students All International students, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level should apply for admission no later than 60 days prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to attend to ensure no delay in acceptance and registration.

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What do I need to submit for Admission?

First-time Freshmen

• Completed Application for Admission
• $20.00 Application Fee
• High School Transcript (Must reflect grades for all classes completed by time of application. A final official transcript with date of graduation must be received prior the start of the semester of enrollment.)
• SAT and/or ACT scores. (An official report must be received from the testing center. You can request your score be sent to UIW by listing our code when you register for the exam. Our code for the SAT is 6303, and ACT is 4106.)
• G.E.D. scores (if applicable). If you have achieved the General Equivalency Diploma, an official score report must be submitted.
• AP/Achievement or CLEP Test Score (if taken)

Optional items:

• Letter(s) of Recommendation
• Personal Statement/Essay
• Campus Interview/Visit

Transfer

• Completed Application for Admission
• $20.00 Application Fee
• College Transcripts (An official transcript reflecting grades completed and coursework in progress from each college or university attended)
• If you are transferring fewer than 24 college credit hours you will also need to submit: Final High School Transcript including the date of graduation and official school seal SAT or ACT scores (if they were taken within the past 2 years)

Optional Items:

• Letter(s) of Recommendation
• Personal Statement/Essay
• Campus Interview/Visit

Non-Degree Seeking

Students wishing to earn credit at UIW for transfer to another institution or without the intent to earn a degree at UIW must submit the following:

• Completed Application for Admission
• $20.00 Application Fee
• An official transcript from the college/university last attended or currently attending indicating good academic standing
• Or a letter from the college/university last attended or currently attending indicating good academic standing
• NOTE: It is the responsibility of the student to verify the transferability of credits earned at UIW to the degree granting institution.

Re-Admission

Students who stop out of the university for at least one long (fall or spring) semester and wish to return must submit the following:

• Completed Application for Re-admission
• College Transcripts (An official record of any and all college-level work completed since you last attended UIW)

Graduate

• Completed Application for Graduate Admission Application
• $20.00 Application Fee
• Official Transcript(s) from every college/university attended, reflecting all undergraduate (and graduate if applicable) work completed, including notice of achievement of bachelor's or Master's degree
• Official Score Report from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT). The GMAT is required of applicants to the MBA Program. Most other programs require either the GRE or MAT. Students who have not yet taken the required exam or will not have scores by the start of semester must apply as non-degree seeking. No more than nine credits may be taken as a non-degree seeking student. Once test scores are received, application may be made to achieve degree-seeking status.

International Undergraduate

• Completed International Student Application for Admission
• Twenty ($20.00) U.S. Dollar Application Fee
• Official Transcript or Record of Prior Programs of Study, Inclusive of Grades and /or Scores Received. (All official transcripts must be translated into English. for transcripts received without English translations, the translation fee will be charged to the student. A list of evaluation agencies is available from the Office of Admissions and the Office of International Initiatives.For consideration of transfer credit, course descriptions translated into English is required. )
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.) A minimum score of 560 or the equivalent by a committee to determine English proficiency is required.
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Health Record
• Declaration of Finances
• Visa Information Form
• International Student Health Record Form -All international students are required to carry health insurance issued by a United States carrier, or the University's health insurance plan.
• Articulation agreements with sister institutions may supersede the above requirements.

International Graduate

• Completed International Student Application for Admission
• Twenty ($20.00) U.S. Dollar Application Fee
• Official Transcript or Record of Prior Programs of Study, Inclusive of Grades and /or Scores Received. (All official transcripts must be translated into English. for transcripts received without English translations, the translation fee will be charged to the student. A list of evaluation agencies is available from the Office of Admissions and the Office of International Initiatives. For consideration of transfer credit, course descriptions translated into English is required. )
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.) - A minimum score of 560 or the equivalent by a committee to determine English proficiency is required. If determined inadequate for graduate studies, student will be required to attend and successfully pass English as a Second language, (ESL), courses prior to enrolling in a graduate program.
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Health Record
• Declaration of Finances
• Visa Information Form
• International Student Health Record Form -All international student are required to carry health insurance issued by a United States carrier, or the University's health insurance plan.
• Report of the Graduate Record Examination, (GRE), Miller Analogies Test, (MAT), or the Graduate Management Aptitude Test, (GMAT), as designed by specific graduate program.
• Articulation agreements with sister institutions may supersede the above requirements.

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What if I left my previous institution on academic probation or enforced withdrawal?

Students are advised to show evidence of positive life change and/or academic progress in support of the application. Support documents frequently used include:

• Letter(s) of Recommendation
• Personal Statement/Essay Addressing why you are now ready to be successful academically.
• College Transcript(s)

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How many of my credits are transferable?

Undergraduate

• Upon entering the University of the Incarnate Word for the first time, transfer students are permitted to transfer a total of 66 semester hours from community colleges or a total of 92 semester hours from senior colleges (or a combination of colleges).
• After matriculating to the university as a degree-seeking student, a student must obtain prior written approval to transfer any additional credits from other institutions.
• A UIW student who has not reached junior classification may request that additional credits from other institutions be transferred to the University.
• Degree credits may be accepted from a community college or a senior institution until the student has earned a total of 66 semester hours.
• A UIW student earning 66 or more college-level (including enrolled hours), either at the University or in combination with transfer credits, may apply to transfer a maximum of two additional courses (6-8 semester hours) from a senior level institution only. This request will be subject to review by the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs on the recommendation of the College Dean. Additional work may not be transferred from a two-year college.

Graduate

• Students who have completed graduate coursework at another regionally accredited institution may transfer a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours toward their UIW degree.
• Transferred units must be from courses which are equivalent to those required in the program, or are closely related so as to transfer as elective units.
• Typically, credit which is more than six (6) years old may not be used toward a degree.

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