Traditional Undergraduates: Student Admissions

ADMISSIONS

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Friends University is committed to providing a quality liberal arts education in the context of a Judeo-Christian perspective. Undergraduate students are admitted based on their potential for achieving academic success.

Admissions Appeal

Applicants who have been denied admission to Friends University must first confer with their admissions counselor to start the appeals process.

Denied applicants who are eligible to appeal must make their request in writing to the Admissions Appeals Committee.  The Admissions Appeals Committee will hold personal interviews in a timely manner with all applicants requesting admission appeals.  The applicant’s academic advisor and/or Division Chair will be present at the interview and be a voting member of the Appeals Committee during the interview.

The Admissions Appeals Committee will be appointed on an annual basis by the Dean of the College.

The Admissions Appeals Committee will solicit input from the University Registrar, Academic Affairs, Admissions Processing and the student’s academic advisor (particularly in the case of former students) and/or the Division Chair and make an appeal decision.

The applicant will be informed in writing of the decision of the Admissions Appeals Committee.

Applicants with an ACT composite score lower than 15 or a cumulative high school GPA lower than 1.5 will be denied admission without the right of appeal.

Admissions Requirements

All students applying for admission to the traditional Undergraduate program are required to meet the following admissions criteria:

1. ACT Composite Score of 18 or higher and a;
2. Minimum High School cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
3. An adjusted scale is used for students submitting SAT scores.

Applicants meeting the admissions criteria will be fully admitted to the University.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria are not fully admitted to the University.

These applicants have the option to appeal to the Admissions Appeals Committee for conditional admittance.

Applicants with an ACT composite score lower than 15 or a cumulative high school GPA lower than 1.5 will be denied admission without right of appeal.

Admissions Requirements - GED Applicants

1. Applicants with GED total standard score of 2250 or higher and ACT composite score of 18 or more will be fully admitted.
2. Applicants with test scores lower than 410 in any GED content area and ACT composite score lower than 15 will not be admitted.

Admissions Requirements - Homeschool Students

Applicants who completed a homeschool education pursue Friends University admission through the standard admissions process.

Admissions Requirements - International Students

An international student application may be attained through the Friends University Admissions Office or via the Internet at www.friends.edu. The applicant should submit the following documentation directly to the Friends University Admissions Office:

1.  Application for Admission and non-refundable application fee.  Recommended timeline for international students:

• 180 Days - Application received prior to program start date.
• 120 Days - All admissions supporting documents and deposits received to admit applicant to Friends University prior to program start date
• 15 Days - Applicant arrives and sets a meeting with the International Student Advisor, Designated SEVIS Officer (DSO) prior to program start date.
• International students with an F1 visa who are already in the United States attending another institution may have a shorter timeline for application and documentation, however they need to report to the International Student Advisor (DSO) at least 15 days prior to the program start date.

2.  Financial Documents

• Most recent bank statement and/or letter from the bank of the account of the financially responsible party.  The bank statement and/or letter must specify the name of the account holder and the current balance.
• If the applicant is being sponsored by another party, a certificate of support will also be needed.
• Proof of sufficient financial support to cover the first year of school which includes:  tuition, books, fees, housing, health insurance and personal expenses.
• Deposit of $5000. to be applied towards one year medical insurance, tuition and other deposits/fees.
• The remaining balance of one semester tuition is due prior to enrollment and must be cleared through Student Account Services before enrolling in classes.

3.  English Proficiency

• Native speakers of English from a country in which English is a national language will not be required to submit a TOEFL score.
• Non-native speakers of English who have graduated from high school where the language of instruction is English will not be required to submit a TOEFL score. The Director of Admissions has the right to waive the TOEFL requirement for students presenting a grade of B or better in an introductory composition class from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
• The following is a list of TOEFL (Internet based) score requirements. Please remember that an acceptable ACT/SAT score can be used to be fully admitted instead of a TOEFL score.
  • All other international students will need an Internet-based TOEFL score of 63 to be considered for admission.  A TOEFL score of 72 or above is highly recommended.
  • Students presenting scores below 63 may be considered for Conditional Admission if they can provide compelling evidence of their ability to succeed within the level of academic rigor at Friends University.

4.  Education Documents

• If secondary or post-secondary experience is from an institution outside of the United States, the applicant must provide an official transcript to a NACES accredited service (www.naces.org) or InCRED (www.playnaia.org/InCred) for evaluation.  Secondary school evaluations need to include U.S. equivalency, graduation date and GPA.  Post-Secondary school evaluations need to include U.S. equivalency, course-by-course evaluation, number of earned credits and cumulative GPA.  The official evaluation from a NACES accredited service or InCRED must be sent directly to Friends University.
• If secondary or post-secondary experience is from an institution within the United States, an official transcript from the institution must be sent directly to Friends University.
• All international students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average or 2.0 on 4.0 point scale to be admitted.

5.  Government Documents

• SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid BEFORE applying for an F-1 visa at a United States embassy/consulate and/or before entering the United States.  For more detailed information, please visit the Student and Exchange Visitor Program at www.ice.gov/sevis.
• After receipt of the letter of admission from Friends University, international students transferring from another United States school must complete and sign a Transfer-In Request Form.  This form verifies that the student has the immigration status necessary to transfer.
• Initial F1 Visa international students and transfer students must report to the International Student Advisor (DSO) within 15 days of the program start date.

6.  Health Documents

• Acquire Friends University sponsored health insurance.
• Comply with the Friends University Health and Wellness office prevention and immunization requirements before living in on-campus housing or attending class.

International students wishing to take coursework at another institution, while studying at Friends University, may do so on a guest basis.  To be a guest student, an international student must maintain full-time enrollment with Friends University and must maintain a full course of study.  Authorization to be a guest student must be granted by the International Student Advisor (DSO).

Admissions Requirements - Re-Admission of Former Students

Students who wish to reactivate their admission after interrupting their enrollment at Friends University for one or more enrollment terms must complete an application form.

Any student returning after a two-term absence becomes subject to the Catalog and program in effect at the time of their re-entry.

Students who have been academically dismissed from another institution or from Friends University must meet the admissions standards for full admission, including GPA, to be admitted or re-admitted as a degree-seeking student.  No appeals will be granted to this policy.

Students who have been academically dismissed from Friends University as a result of an academic honor code violation are subject to all stipulations set forth by the Academic Integrity Board.

Admissions Requirements - Transfer Students

1. Transfer students with fewer than 15 transferable semester credits must submit ACT/SAT scores and official high school transcripts. Consideration for admissions will fall under the same standards as entering freshmen.
2. Transfer students with 15 or more transferable semester credits and a grade point average of 2.0 or higher are to be fully admitted to Friends University.
    

Note: Transfer Student Credit:  Transfer courses with “D” grades may not be used to meet major or grade-based graduation requirements but will be posted to a student’s transcript.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic standards for full admission are not fully admitted to the University.

These applicants have the option to appeal to the CBASE Admissions Appeals Committee for conditional admittance.

Applicants with a cumulative college GPA 1.25 or lower will be denied admission without the right of appeal.

ART EDUCATION TRANSFER STUDENTS:  PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

All art students who transfer art hours from other colleges or universities must submit an Art Proficiency Portfolio.  Art Education students may not enter student teaching until this requirement has been met.  For students who don’t meet the initial portfolio review, a proficiency development plan will be developed so that the student will have a clearly defined process for reaching proficiency.

This is not a formal admissions requirement, but may delay entry into professional teaching programs at Friends University until satisfied.

Required Items for the Art Proficiency Portfolio:

• 6 to 8 pieces of BEST work
• Photographs of large or heavy works like sculpture
• One example of artistic process from start to finish
• A variety of art media represented in the 6 to 8 pieces of artwork

Portfolios will be rated using an Art Placement Portfolio rubric which includes the following components to be rated:

• Content
• Formal order/composition
• Mastery of media & Presentation of artwork
• Problem solving process

Development Plan:For students who do not meet the initial portfolio review, a proficiency development plan will be developed so that the student will have a clearly defined process for reaching proficiency.  The deficiency areas will be determined on the Art Proficiency Portfolio Rubric.  For example, a score of 1 in the Mastery of media component requires a student to take a Drawing 1 or Painting 1 course.  A score of 2 or below in the formal order/composition component or the problem solving process component requires the student to take the Design 1 course.  These courses can be used as elective credit.

Admissions Status Definitions

Full Admission: Students who have met the stated academic standards.

Conditional Admission: Conditionally admitted students will be referred for appropriate assistance and other academic and student support services which may include registration in a study skills course.  Conditionally admitted students will be limited to registration in 14 credit hours for their first two semesters.

Tentative Admissions: In some circumstances, students who have not submitted all official documents (including an eight-semester high school transcript) may be admitted tentatively.

Any financial aid, for which the student is eligible, will not be disbursed until the requirements for admission are completed.

If complete and acceptable official transcripts have not been received by the Admissions Processing Office by the end of the 100% refund period of the term of enrollment, the student will be:

1) administratively withdrawn and

2) obligated for the cost of attendance during this tentative admission as established in the published refund policies.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic standards for full admission are not fully admitted to the University.

These applicants have the option to appeal to the CBASE Admissions Appeals Committee for conditional admittance.

Applicants with an ACT composite score lower than 15 or a cumulative high school GPA lower than 1.5 will be denied admission without the right of appeal.

Applying for Admission

1. A signed, completed application and a non-refundable application fee is required.  For an application, call 316-295-5100 or 1-800-577-2233; or visit http://www.friends.edu
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended, sent directly from the institution to the Admissions Processing Office - 2100 W University Ave, Wichita, KS 67213.
3. Official ACT or SAT scores are required as noted in requirements.

Non-Degree Seeking Students - Auditors

Persons wishing to audit traditional undergraduate courses may do so by completing an application for admission and paying all regular fees.

Tuition is charged at current academic year audit rate, no credit is awarded and there may be less obligation for coursework.

The ability to enroll in a course for auditing purposes is subject to seat availability.

Non-Degree Seeking Students - Dual Credit Enrollment

Upon yearly agreement with identified local high schools, students may enroll in approved courses for concurrent high school and Friends University credit. (Note:Dual credit is typically taught at the local high school  by a high school instructor)

To enroll, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Student must be a high school junior or senior.
2. Student must have a high school cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above.
3. Concurrent credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis.  Course credit may be awarded for semester-length or full year length courses.  High School courses must be approved by the CBASE division in which the high school course is equivalent.
4. If the high school course is a full-year course, high school students must earn a minimum grade of C in the 1st half (or semester) of the course in order for full credit to be awarded.
5. Student must have approval from an instructor, principal or counselor.
6. Student must have permission from a parent or guardian.
7. The student will be charged a per credit hour tuition fee. This non-refundable charge will be collected with the registration materials at enrollment. There will be no late enrollments or refunds of charges.
8. The college admission and registration will be done at the beginning of the semester in which the student seeks to enroll.
9. Student fees and new student fees will not be assessed.
10. Letter grades submitted by the high school instructor of A, B, C, D or F will be posted to the student’s Friends University academic record.  All other grades will be transcripted as ‘NC’ or no credit awarded.

Non-Degree Seeking Students - Guests

Students who do not intend to secure a degree from Friends University but whose sole intent is to transfer credit back to their parent institution may be admitted under a guest student status.

A student may attend this University for two semesters under this status. A letter of good standing from the Registrar of the parent institution is required.

If a student decides to continue enrollment, he or she must apply for admission as a degree-seeking student.

Non-Degree Seeking Students - High School Guest Students

1. To enroll for early admissions, students must be currently enrolled in high school and be classified as a junior or a senior.
2. High School juniors will be limited to two course per semester.
3. High School seniors will be limited to three courses per semester.
4. High School Guest students may not enroll in applied lessons.
5. Students must be admitted to Friends University and meet the specified criteria:
   1. Admissions application
   2. A non-refundable application fee
   3. Official High School transcript designating junior or senior status
   4. A written recommendation from a high school administrator or counselor
   5. Students must have a minimum high school cumulative grade point average of 3.0
6. Students will be charged a per credit hour tuition fee.  See Fee Schedule for current rate.

Students who do not meet the high school guest student admissions standards will be denied early admissions with no right to appeal.

Non-Degree Seeking Students - Senior American Program

This Friends University program opens classes to senior citizens 65 years of age and older at a reduced tuition rate.

Applicants to this program will pay the current fee schedule rate associated with this program.  Enrollments will be permitted on a space available basis and will be subject to an admission and course related fees.

This program is restricted to enrollments in traditional undergraduate coursework.

Non-Degree Seeking Students - Special

Persons who do not intend to secure a degree from Friends University but who wish to take specified courses may be admitted under a special student status.

A maximum of 15 semester hours may be accumulated under this status. No transcript or ACT scores are required.

If a student decides to continue enrollment, he or she must apply for admission as a degree-seeking student.