Criteria for Freshmen

Freshmen students are Seniors in high school or students who have graduated from high school but not attended college. Dual-enrolled students fall into this category as well.

Steps for Freshmen Applicants

1. ​
2. Submit your $25 non-refundable application fee
3. Submit your official high school transcript
4. Submit your SAT or ACT test scores
5. Submit a letter recommendation through your online application portal

Preferred Admission Requirements

The preferred applicant will have earned a 21 ACT Composite Score or 1080 SAT Score (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math) and an unweighted 3.0 cumulative high-school grade point average. 

While the decision is based upon the factors listed above, students must have completed the following course requirements in their high school curriculum:

• English - Four (4) years
• Social Studies - Three (3) years
• Mathematics - Three (3) years (This must include one year of Algebra I, one year of Algebra II, and one year of Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus,
• or Analysis)
• Science - Two (2) years (This must include one year of Biology and one year of a Physical Science)

Note: Course requirements differ for students seeking to major in Nursing, Health Science, or Occupational Therapy.

Preferred high school curriculum for students seeking to major in nursing, health science, or occuptaional therapy:

• English - Four (4) years
• Social Studies - One (1) year
• Mathematics -  Two (2) years (This must include one year of Algebra I and one year of Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, or Analysis)
• Science - Two (2) years (One year of a Chemistry and One year of Biological Science)

Admission Application Deadlines

• Summer Term:  May 1
• Fall Term: July 1
• Spring Term:  November 1

Standard Admission

Standard Admission is for applicants who feel their test scores are a good reflection of their ability. Should applicants choose standard admission, qualification for admission will be determined by academic rigor (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Honors, and Dual-Enrollment courses) and ACT or SAT Scores.

Test-Optional Admission

Test-Optional Admission is for applicants with a minimum unweighted 3.0 grade point average. These applicants are not required to submit test scores from standardized college admission tests such as the ACT or SAT. Test-optional consideration is an alternative for applicants who meet the minimum grade point average requirement but feel that their test scores do not adequately reflect their level of academic achievement and/or accurately predict their potential. Should applicants choose test-optional admission, qualification for admission will be determined by academic rigor (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Honors, and Dual-Enrollment courses), one (1) recommendation letter from a high school counselor, teacher, or community leader, and a personal essay.

Merit-Based Scholarship Eligibility

Applicants who select test-optional admission will be considered for scholarship opportunities. High school transcript, essay, and letter of recommendation (test-optional admission requirements) will be used during scholarship evaluation for test-optional applicants. 

Essay Topics 

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. 

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

• Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants will be able to provide the email address of their preferred recommender in their online application portal. Recommenders will receive an email and be able to complete and submit their recommendation through our online recommendation form.