Admission

Office of Admissions
Potter Hall, Office 117
Phone: (270) 745-2551, Fax: (270) 745-6133
www.wku.edu/Info/Admissions
email: admission@wku.edu

Policies
The admission policy is designed to provide educational opportunities for students who have a serious commitment to continuing their formal education and reasonable prospects for academic achievement.

In evaluating applications for admission, factors which may be considered are (1) complete and accurate information listed on the application for admission, (2) high school curriculum and performance, (3) scores achieved on the American College Test or Scholastic Assessment Test (Western Kentucky University does not require students to submit the optional written portion of either the SAT nor the ACT for consideration in admission to the University), (4) post-secondary academic record, if any, (5) educational objectives and motivation, (6) recommendations from school officials or other interested persons, (7) personal qualifications and conduct, and (8) interview with an admissions officer.

By recognizing differences in interests and levels of achievement, the admissions process is the initial step in providing students with personalized counseling. An application for admission should be submitted well in advance of the term for which the student plans to enroll. Beginning freshmen should complete the procedures early in their senior year in high school.

Pre-College Curriculum
To ensure a proper foundation for university study, the following college preparatory curriculum is required as a minimum for all students.

Effective with the 2002 freshman class, applicants must be high school graduates who have earned 22 or more high school credits, including the following: 4 years of English (English I, II, III, and IV); 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry or Integrated Math I, II, and III); 3 years of social studies (chosen from U.S. History, Economics, Government, World Geography and World Civilization); and 3 years of science (credits to include life science, physical science, and earth/space science (at least one lab course); ½ year health; ½ year physical education; ½ year history and appreciation of visual, performing arts. Effective with the 2004 freshman class, applicants must have 2 years of the same foreign language in addition to the above listed requirements.

In addition to these requirements, it is recommended that students take additional high school courses in foreign languages, the arts, science, mathematics and computer literacy.

High school graduates from states other than Kentucky may follow pre-college curriculum requirements (college prep courses) from their state of residence.

Other Admission Considerations
SPECIAL APPROVAL CATEGORIES

Graduates of non-accredited high schools. Admission may be granted on the basis of completion of the pre-college curriculum and a satisfactory high school record which has been validated through satisfactory scores on the American College Test or the Scholastic Assessment Test.

Early admission. High school students who are within one unit of graduation and have a superior academic record may be admitted to the freshman class upon special approval from the Office of Admissions. Applicants should submit a recommendation from the high school principal, a high school transcript and ACT scores with the application.

Concurrent high school-college enrollment. Superior high school seniors may be admitted to enroll in one course each semester concurrent with high school enrollment.

Dual Credit Program. The Division of Extended Learning & Outreach (DELO) administers a Dual Credit program at participating high schools.  The Dual Credit program allows students to earn college credit as part of their high-school curriculum.  Courses are offered at a substantially reduced tuition rate and provide a means of preparing college-bound students for the challenge of university coursework.

Summer admission. (1) Superior high school students who have completed the junior year may be admitted for full-time enrollment for the summer term. (2) High school students who have not achieved senior standing may apply for admission to take non-academic courses during the summer. Permission of the department may be required.

GED Applicants. All Kentucky students who have earned a GED are also obligated to have completed the pre-college curriculum requirements for entry to Western Kentucky University. Students who do not meet the pre-college curriculum requirements are eligible for admission to the Community College.

Non-degree applicants. Students who do not expect to become applicants for any certificate or degree may enroll upon approval of the Office of Admissions. They will not be required to follow any regular curriculum, but they will be subject to all other rules and regulations of the University.

Senior Citizens. Kentucky residents who are 65 years of age or older, on or before the day the semester begins, are granted Senior Citizen Scholarships for any college class in which they enroll for credit or to audit.

Admission of International Students
Western Kentucky University is committed to promoting international understanding through intercultural exchange derived from the admission of qualified international students from countries throughout the world. The University’s academic requirements for admission as described in the preceding sections must be met. All necessary documents including academic records, financial certificate and proof of English language proficiency must be received before permission to enroll and the I-20 form can be issued.

Applicants are required to provide official or certified copies of academic records. All academic records must also be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). For information on obtaining an evaluation, please go to www.wes.org and have an official report sent to Western Kentucky University. Records in any language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. All high school credentials and transcripts from other institutions outside of the United States will be required to be evaluated by World Education Services and the evaluation to be sent directly from WES to the Office of Admissions at Western Kentucky University. The cost for the WES evaluation will be paid by the prospective student. Additional information about WES is available at www.wes.org.

Financial ability must be demonstrated by completion of a financial certificate including signatures of the sponsor and a bank official. Persons receiving a scholarship may demonstrate financial ability by sending an original or certified copy of the award letter, including the amount of the scholarship or the expenses it covers. The University may require an advance deposit of funds to cover one year’s tuition and living expenses of all non-immigrant international students from a particular country before issuance of the I-20 form when WKU’s Chief Financial Officer has determined that such a provision is in the best interest of the University.

All applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) offered by the Educational Testing Service. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain the necessary information and application forms, and to arrange to take the test by a date that assures the results are reported to the University by the required deadlines. A score of 525 on the written TOEFL or a 197 on the computer-based TOEFL is required for admission.

Applications received from international students will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Fulfillment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the University. An effort will be made to admit students from a variety of countries.

International students, and those seeking admission in one of the special approval categories, may obtain the appropriate application form and instructions from the Office of Admissions.

Residency Determinations
The determination of residency for admission and tuition assessment is governed by state regulation 13 KAR 2:045. The regulation can be viewed on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education at http://cpe.ky.gov/policies/academicpolicies/residency.htm. Students may contact the Office of Admissions for additional information.

Transfer Evaluations
As a service to students who transfer to WKU from another institution, the Office of Admissions provides transfer evaluations of previously earned credits upon admission to Western Kentucky University. The evaluations serve as official assignment of credits to General Education Requirements. Acceptance of transfer credits for a particular major or minor is subject to approval by the appropriate academic department. Students transferring to WKU are required, as a part of the admission process, to provide the Office of Admissions with official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Students may view transfer credit equivalencies online at topnet.wku.edu. Academic advisors review a student’s iCAP report prior to the student’s participation in the Academic Transitions Program.

WKU students occasionally enroll (usually during summer terms) in courses at other institutions. Transfer credit equivalency is available on-line at http://www.wku.edu/Info/Admissions/transfer.htm. Approval for courses to be applied to a major, minor, or certification program should be obtained from the appropriate academic department head. Credit for a course in which a failing grade has been received can be earned only by repeating the course in residence unless prior written approval is granted by the head of the department in which the course is offered.

*These requirements were current at the time of printing, but can be revised at any time by the university.

Departments Requiring Additional Admission
Students who wish to pursue a major in one of the following departments should be aware that admission to the department is required in addition to admission to Western Kentucky University: Allied Health; Journalism and Broadcasting; Nursing; Public Health; Teacher Education and all departments in the College of Business. Baccalaureate degree programs generally require admission by the third year of study. Students interested in associate degree programs are encouraged to contact the department well in advance of initial enrollment. Contact the respective department for information about requirements of that department.

University admission is required before departmental admission can be considered.

Graduate Studies Admission

Information regarding admission to Graduate Studies is published in the Graduate Studies Catalog or at www.wku.edu/graduate/. Address inquiries to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Appeal Procedures
When further consideration of an admission decision is desired, the University Admission Review Committee shall have the responsibility for reviewing the situation to determine if the decision was in keeping with existing policy.

The University Committee on Admissions shall be responsible for considering an appeal of an admission decision. This shall be done after the University Admission Review Committee has reviewed the initial decision. An appeal will only be considered by this committee after a letter of appeal written and signed by the applicant has been submitted to the Director of Admissions clearly explaining the reasons the student feels an exception should be made. The letter of appeal should include details which the applicant considers appropriate. The University Committee on Admissions will convene using the letter of appeal as the basis for decision. The applicant will be informed in writing of the decision of the committee.

Detailed procedural guidelines for requesting further consideration or for submitting an appeal to the University Committee on Admissions may be obtained from the Director of Admissions.

For additional information concerning admission, contact the Office of Admissions.

++After three consecutive terms out of school, students who have previously attended WKU must seek readmission.  Readmission students with grades below those listed above will be considered individually.
*These requirements were current at the time of printing, but can be revised at any time by the university.
**High school graduates from states other than Kentucky should follow pre-college curriculum requirements (college prep courses) from their state of residence.