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UIW Home / Undergraduate Catalog 2003-05 / II. Undergraduate Admissions | |
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II. UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONSAdmission of First-Time Freshmen Applications for admission are accepted on a continual, or rolling basis, throughout the year for fall, spring, and summer semesters. However, it is recommended that the application process be completed in a timely fashion, allowing sufficient time to process financial aid awards. Successful applicants to the University are admitted into a general program of study for the freshmen year. Admission to any major at the University is a separate process that begins as early as the first semester of the sophomore year. Upon admission to the University, transfer students with enough transferable credit may seek admission to a particular major. Certain majors, such as nursing, may require specified pre-requisite courses to be completed before admission to the major. Consult individual program listings for such requirements. All acceptances to the University are provisional pending the receipt of official transcript credentials, i.e., the final high school transcript with graduation date. Continued enrollment in subsequent terms is dependent on receipt of official documents. The University subscribes to affirmative action to ensure admission without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disability. Those with non-traditional learning experiences or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Admission of First-Time Freshmen Freshmen applicants to the University are evaluated using a number of criteria - GPA, high school course difficulty, class rank, SAT and/or ACT test scores, extracurricular activities (including work experience), and letters of recommendation. An interview with an admissions counselor and a visit to the campus are strongly encouraged. Except in unusual circumstances, applicants to the University must be graduates of an accredited high school or possess an appropriate equivalency. Coursework completed in high school should include a minimum of 16 Carnegie units of the following:
Individuals who did not finish high school may qualify for admission to the University on the basis of satisfactory scores on the Test of General Education Development (GED) and high school courses via an official transcript. Freshmen applicants out of high school for more than two years and GED recipients are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Under some circumstances, applicants may be asked to take an assessment test and/or arrange for a personal interview to provide further information upon which a decision will be based. Admission of Transfer Students The University welcomes the application of students with academic credit earned at other accredited colleges and universities. Students are required to report all college-level credit attempted and/or completed, and are required to submit official transcripts of such work. The primary factor for consideration of admission of a transfer student is the student’s cumulative GPA. Other factors considered for admission include letters of recommendation, a personal interview, extracurricular activities, and work experience. Applicants are advised to have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better for unconditional admission. Students may be admitted with less than a 2.5 GPA on the recommendation of the Admissions Committee. The Committee reserves the right to place conditions or requirements on the admittance of such a student. Applicants with fewer than 24 transferable hours of college credit must submit an official high school transcript with the scores of any SAT or ACT exam(s) previously taken. Transfer applicants out of high school for more than two years, or are GED recipients, are not required to submit SAT or ACT exam scores. Applicants with credit earned at non-accredited institutions, such as trade, technical, and career schools, are advised that such credit is generally not transferable to the University. However, an official transcript of coursework is required for admission consideration. All courses completed with a grade of C or higher that are normally considered part of a bachelor degree program will transfer to the University of the Incarnate Word. The cumulative grade point average at UIW is based upon all hours attempted, regardless of the grade earned, and to include both transfer and UIW credits. Some transfer work may not apply toward degree requirements. Acceptance of transfer work does not reduce institutional requirements (e.g. residency, advanced hours, etc.). Refer to the institutional requirements sections of this catalog for information pertaining to institutional policies. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the Registrar’s Office with an official transcript reflecting completion of the course work. Transcripts from previously attended colleges or universities must be received by the Registrar’s Office at the University of the Incarnate Word by the end of the first semester of enrollment. Students who fail to meet this admission requirement will not be permitted to enroll for future semesters until all transcripts from previously attended institutions are received. Credit submitted for transfer to the University of the Incarnate Word must be recorded on an official transcript received by the Registrar’s Office from the institution where the credit was earned. The transfer of course credit will be determined by the Office of the Registrar on a course-by-course basis. Course content will be determined from the catalog description or the course syllabus issued by the transferring institution. The following policies will be used by the Registrar in accepting transfer credits. A. Credit from Institutions Accredited by One of the Regional Accrediting Associations
B. Credit from Non-Accredited Schools Students transferring to UIW from an institution of higher education that is not accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations may validate the work taken at the institution by:
C. Block Credit in Religious Studies A student may receive up to 12 semester hours of credit for lower-level undergraduate religious studies by successfully completing a post-secondary program of religious education. The criteria are available from the Religious Studies Coordinator. D. Credits from International Schools
E. Credit for Military Experience
The University of the Incarnate Word recognizes and accepts in transfer credit for military training courses. Some transfer work may not apply to degree requirements. An official military transcript must be sent to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation. Advanced Placement and Advanced Credit See Credit by Examination, page 54. Admission to the Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCaP) ADCaP is an accelerated evening and Saturday studies program offering a variety of undergraduate programs for working adults. With six terms per year, each only 8 weeks in length, many students can complete a degree program in as little as two years. Eligibility is open to any student who has been out of high school for 5 years and been employed, in or out of the home, for at least 3 years. Transfer students should possess a 2.5 or above GPA. For further information contact the School of Extended Studies. Joint Admissions Agreement with Alamo Community College District (ACCD) This agreement will enhance the opportunities for baccalaureate degree completion for students enrolling at ACCD institutions. Qualified students applying for admission to one of the four ACCD colleges (Palo Alto, St. Philips, San Antonio, Northwest Vista) have the option of simultaneously enrolling in the University of the Incarnate Word. This agreement will facilitate transfer of community college credit to UIW and encourage students to complete their baccalaureate degree at the University. For more information contact the Office of Admissions. The University is approved to offer university work under the GI Bill. An on-campus Veterans Affairs Certifying Official provides assistance in obtaining educational benefits under all veteran-related programs. For information, contact the Registrar’s Office. Admission of Military Personnel The University offers a degree completion program to meet the needs of military personnel provided admission requirements are met. The University grants credit for courses taken in military service schools and for USAFI, CLEP, University GED examinations, and DANTES. The University of the Incarnate Word is a member institution of the Service Opportunity Colleges (SOC) and sponsors the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP) with the United States Army. The program grants early admission to qualified enlisted men and women to facilitate credit transfer and matriculation to the University following discharge. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions. Requests for service school credit or examination credit must be documented by the following:
Admission of International Students The University welcomes the applications of international students. Although a rolling admission policy is in effect, it is recommended that students apply to the University no later than 60 days prior to the beginning of the semester the student plans to attend. Accordingly, international students must submit the following to the Office of Admissions (missing information may result in processing delays affecting admission): Completed and signed International Student Application.
International students whose English skills are insufficient to be admitted to regular university courses are required to take ESL courses (non-credit). Students from non-English speaking countries will receive a waiver from the foreign language core requirement. For further information, please contact the Registrar’s Office. Admission of Exchange Students
Early Admission for High School Students Although most freshman applicants will not enter the University of the Incarnate Word until after high school graduation, the University will consider applications from well qualified candidates who have not yet completed their high school program. Such students must show evidence of maturity and the ability to profit from University course work before graduating from high school. Early entrance candidates must submit completed application and fee, an official high school transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores taken, and supporting letters of recommendation from the student’s guidance counselor and/or principal. Approval from the student’s high school is necessary for the student to be admitted under this program. Admission for Home Schooled Students Applicants who are home schooled are required to submit a copy of their home school curriculum, SAT or ACT exam scores, and a letter of explanation regarding home school environment. An interview, letters of recommendation, and assessment testing may be required in some circumstances. In this program, selected high school seniors may earn 12 to 18 hours of college credit while completing the requirements for high school graduation. The program grants dual credit for courses that have counterparts at the high school level. Students are eligible for any course available to an entering University freshman. As in the case of other University students, exceptions to prerequisites are handled on an individual basis. All Senior Connection courses are taught by the University of the Incarnate Word faculty with the same syllabus, same textbook, and same rigor as any other section taught on the campus. Senior Connection courses are open to any University of the Incarnate Word student for whom the scheduled time is more appropriate than other sections of the same course. Senior Connection students must have the approval of both high school administration and their University advisor before registering for courses. As with other University of the Incarnate Word courses, some Senior Connection courses utilize facilities of St. Anthony Catholic High School during day hours. Admission of Non-Degree Seeking Students Students not wishing to receive a degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and who have not completed a bachelor’s degree may be admitted to the University based on the same requirements as a degree-seeking student. Consult the bulletin under the sections ‘Admission of New Freshmen’ and/or ‘Admission of Transfer Students’ to determine applicable admissions requirements. The applicant, if accepted, would matriculate as an undergraduate non-degree-seeking student. A degree-seeking student in another University may, upon authorization by the institution, enroll in approved courses at the University of the Incarnate Word as a transient student without submitting an official transcript. A letter of good standing or a letter of permission from the home institution’s Academic Dean or Registrar may be submitted in place of the transcript. An application for admission must also be on file in the Admissions Office. Admission of Post-Baccalaureate/Post-Master’s Students A student who holds a degree from an accredited college or university may take additional courses. An official transcript from the institution from which the degree was received should be submitted, as well as an application for admission to the University. Post-baccalaureate/post-master’s students may accumulate no more than 24 undergraduate hours without special clearance. In addition, they may take no more than 9 hours at the graduate level without being admitted to a graduate degree program. Re-Admission to the University University of the Incarnate Word students who have been absent from the University for one full academic semester (Fall/Spring) or more must apply for re-admission to the University. This no-fee application is available through the Office of Admissions. Official transcripts of all coursework completed while absent from the University must be submitted prior to re-admission. Students who left the University on academic probation or enforced withdrawal are advised to show evidence of positive life change and/or academic progress in support of the application in addition to the requirements listed in the prior paragraph. All such decisions are referred to the Admissions Committee in consultation with the Director of Academic Advising. Admission of Graduate Students See Graduate Bulletin. Appeal of an Admissions Denial Applicants denied admission to the University may appeal the decision by addressing a letter to the Director of Admissions. Such correspondence should specify the reason(s) for the appeal, and submit relevant new information (updated GPA, increased rank, letters of recommendation, new SAT/ACT scores, etc.) for the purposes of appeal. All appeals are forwarded to the Admissions Committee. Persons who have not been admitted to the University may apply for permission to audit a course without credit. Courses audited are not applicable towards a degree, and permission to audit does not constitute admission to the University. For further information on auditing a course, contact the Registrar’s Office. In compliance with Section 97.63 of the Texas Administrative Code, all full-time students at the University must provide proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR 1 and 2), and a Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td) booster received within the last 10 years during their first semester of enrollment. Lacking such verification, students should obtain the required immunizations from their private physician or through their local Public Health Department. It is recommended but not required for any undergraduate less than 25 who wish as to reduce their risk of meningococcal disease to consider vaccination. Freshmen should consider the meningitis vaccination preferably at entry into college and if they are going to live in dormitories or residence halls. Students enrolled in Health Care majors, which will involve direct patient contact (Nursing, Nutrition, and Nuclear Medicine) are subject to more stringent immunization requirements prior to being admitted to clinical settings. For further information, contact Health Services at (210) 829-6017. |
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