Manchester University Academic Catalog 2016-2017

Admissions

First-Year Admission Requirements

First-time college students applying for admission to a degree program are expected to present the following qualifications:

	1.	Graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent or successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) exam.
	2.	Submit an official high school transcript.
	3.	Satisfactory class rank in the high school graduating class.
	4.	Satisfactory completion of a high school curriculum preparing the student for college. Although no specific distribution of high school credits is required for admission, a college preparatory curriculum is recommended, including:
		a.	four years of English (grammar, composition, literature).
		b.	two years of a foreign language.
		c.	three or four years of college preparatory mathematics (algebra, plane geometry and advanced algebra as a minimum).
		d.	two or three years of laboratory science (at least two from among biology, chemistry and physics).
		e.	two years of social science (selected from U.S., world and European history; government, sociology, psychology, geography, and economics).
	5.	Satisfactory personal reference information and recommendation from the student’s high school guidance counselor or principal. Appropriate references from other people may be submitted by applicants 25 years of age or older.

Application Procedures

	1.	Obtain an application for admission from the Office of Admissions, apply online at www.manchester.edu, or via the Common Application at www.commonapp.org.
	2.	Complete and return the application form and non-refundable $25 application fee with the following materials:
	an official high school transcript, including current course work and most recent grades available; official SAT or ACT scores; class rank as reported by the guidance counselor or other school official; a completed high school report form from the guidance counselor or principal (high school report form is attached to the application and available on our website).
	3.	Students should submit their completed application as early as possible following completion of their junior year in high school, but at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester in which they plan to enroll.

Fast Forward

Students motivated to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years may consider the Manchester University Fast Forward program. Fast Forward students can complete all degree requirements for every major by following an aggressive three-year schedule of fall, January, spring and summer classes, as well as designated online classes. In addition to the first-year admissions requirements, applicants to the Fast Forward programs are required to:

1. Qualify for a faculty, Dean's or Presidential academic scholarship
2. Select a specific major
3. Apply by May 1 prior to beginning first-year classes

Admission and Enrollment

1. An admission decision will be made when the application is complete. The applicant will usually be notified within two weeks.
2. A $250 enrollment fee is expected of all admitted students to confirm their intention to enroll. This fee is refundable through May 1 for the fall semester.
3. Residential life information is sent to all admitted students. Students complete a housing intent form to live in University facilities or a request to live off campus form to commute from home.
4. Course selection and registration take place during summer orientation.
5. All full-time and part-time students are required to complete a health record form that requires personal history and a complete immunization record. The health form is sent to the student prior to enrollment. The completed Health Record form must be on file with the University prior to the start of classes in the student’s first semester.

Advanced Standing (Transfer) Admission

In addition to the first-year admission requirements, a student transferring to Manchester must have transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions at Manchester from the registrar of each post-secondary institution previously attended.

A transfer candidate must have a cumulative transfer grade point average of a 2.0 (4.0 scale) to be eligible for admission. A transfer candidate who is ineligible to re-enroll at the last attended college will normally be considered ineligible to enter Manchester University for at least one semester.

Students transferring who have less than 28 completed credits must also meet the requirements for undergraduate first year admission.

Transfer credit evaluation is completed by the registrar only after all official transcripts from other institutions have been submitted to Manchester. If only partial information is available, a tentative evaluation may be requested but cannot be considered official until all documents are received.

Credits earned at regionally accredited institutions with a grade of C or higher may be transferred upon approval by the registrar. Grades, however, are not transferable. Credits accepted will be applied toward Core and major requirements as appropriate and verified by the registrar’s Transfer Credit Report. Students currently enrolled at Manchester University who wish to transfer credit for courses taken at other academic institutions (for example, in summer school programs) should secure approval from the University registrar before taking the course. Without prior approval, no assurance of transfer credit can be made.

Admission Classifications

Each student admitted to the University is classified in one of the following categories:

Regular Admission
Applicants who are admitted without reservation are granted regular admission. Students must have regular admission status to become candidates for degree.

Provisional Admission
Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant whose application file is incomplete at the time an admission decision is made. The materials received must be strong enough to warrant provisional admission pending receipt of the missing materials. The missing materials must be received prior to the beginning of the semester. As soon as the student’s file is complete, it will be reviewed and acted upon by the Office of Admissions.

Conditional Admission
Conditional admission may be granted to an applicant whose academic record shows certain deficiencies. The student must demonstrate the ability to do acceptable college-level work before being considered for regular admission status. After satisfying conditions specified when admitted (e.g. participation in the Student Success Program), the student will be advanced to regular admission status. A student who fails to satisfy the specified conditions will be disqualified from continued enrollment. Any student who is disqualified from continued enrollment has the right to appeal the disqualification to the Academic Standards Committee or apply for reinstatement at a later date.

Special Admission

Early Admission of High School Students
High school students with strong academic backgrounds may be admitted to take Manchester University courses for credit either on campus or at the high school. Interested students must submit the High School Student Enrollment Application to the Office of the Registrar. The University reserves the right to limit course options for high school students.

Non-Degree Admission
Non-degree status is designed for the high school graduate who desires to take college work for self-improvement, developing or maintaining skills for employment, transfer of credit toward a degree or program at another institution, or teacher certification. Students may apply by completing an application for admission as a non-degree candidate, available in the Office of Admissions. Students with a prior bachelor’s degree may pursue additional work as a degree-seeking student if the student is working toward a new major. The Office of the Registrar will determine which courses from the prior degree will satisfy the new major’s requirements.

Readmission

Students who have previously attended Manchester University, but who have not been enrolled in the immediately preceding regular semester, must file an application for readmission with the Office of Admissions in advance of the anticipated return.

A student who has been disqualified from further attendance may apply for reinstatement by submitting an application for readmission accompanied by a letter presenting evidence that the applicant is prepared to meet the minimum academic standards of the University.