Admission

Edit "Page Body" Edit page section

All persons who wish to pursue a degree program at the University must file the following documentation with the Admissions Office: an application for admission and any specific application fee, an official high school transcript, test scores (when applicable), and official transcript(s) of all previous post-secondary work attempted or completed. Priority dates for applications are established each year. Contact the Admissions Office for information.

PREPARATION FOR UNIVERSITY STUDY

A successful University experience depends upon the student’s high school preparation. The course work chosen should include at least the maximum number of subjects selected from English, both composition and literature; mathematics, with algebra, geometry, plus an additional college preparatory course; natural science; history, and other social studies. Students are strongly encouraged to take a mathematics class and two years of a single foreign language in the senior year.

Some high school courses may not satisfy University admission requirements for college preparatory academic course work. For information on applicability of high school courses to admissions requirements, contact the Admissions Office.

Edit "Freshman" Edit page section
On This Page

Admission of Freshmen

Freshman admission is competitive and selective. Academic preparation and success are the primary considerations for admission, although non-academic factors are also considered. Each application for admission is given a comprehensive review. Freshman applicants are considered using the following guidelines:

  1. Applicants must present evidence of graduation from a recognized high school or equivalent certificate.
    1. A recognized high school is one which either
      1. is operated by public school districts, or
      2. is a private school accredited by an association that is certified by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit private schools, and those whose names appear in the Federal Register as an approved accreditation association, or
      3. is a private school not accredited under (2) but may be “recognized” by an institution in the System based on the performance of previously admitted graduates from the high school.
    2. An applicant who has not graduated from a recognized high school must provide evidence of ability to begin college work. Such evidence may include General Education Development (GED) test scores or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) test scores, transcripts of course work completed in high school, high school rank-in-class before leaving high school, written recommendations, ACT/SAT test scores, and other evidence deemed appropriate by the University.
  2. Applicants should complete a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. Applicants who take courses beyond the minimum will be considered strong candidates for admission. Applicants must complete a minimum of 17 high school units (one unit equals one year of study)2 distributed as follows:
    English (at least three composition and literature)4
    Mathematics (algebra, geometry, advanced college preparatory math) 13
    Natural Science3
    Social Science (one must be world or American history)3
    Additional course work in any of the above areas as well as foreign language, art, music, speech, computer science, or other academic areas.4
    Total Hours17
    1

    In almost all high school curricula, algebra II or higher/advanced algebra is the third college preparatory mathematics course required.

    2

    Students who begin taking high school course work prior to high school (e.g. mathematics, foreign language) must still present a total of 15 academic credits (English, mathematics, natural science, social science, and foreign language) in grades 9-12.

  3. In addition to a rigorous high school curriculum, academic factors include high school class rank, high school GPA, trends in grades, course rigor, and test scores. Secondary non-academic factors may include, but are not necessarily limited to, leadership; community service; achievement in the arts, athletics, or other areas; and diversity in personal background and experience. Official test scores from The American College Testing Program (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) must be on file for all new freshmen under the age of 22. ACT is the preferred test. Students will not be disadvantaged in the admission process by taking one test rather than the other.
  4. Students may be considered for conditional admission during the spring semester only. Students successfully meeting University requirements at the end of the conditional period will be continued for the following semester as a student in good standing. To be considered for conditional admission, students must have been out of high school for at least two years or a minimum of two years past their expected date of high school graduation.
  5. Particular consideration in admission will be given to applicants who have been out of school for two or more years; service veterans, as defined by state and federal policies; and students who have been challenged by a lack of educational opportunities.
  6. Requirements for out-of-state students will be the same as those of resident students, except that special requirements may be adopted for international applicants.
  7. Final admission requires that students maintain their high school academic standing and successfully complete course work in progress as outlined on the application. The final (eighth semester) official transcript provided by the high school provides the required certification that the applicant has fulfilled this obligation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the proper supporting documents have been delivered to the Admissions Office.

Competency-Based Admissions

High school students from schools that use a competency-based evaluation system may be considered for admission. High schools that use an alternative system such as this must complete the Competency-Based Admission Profile. Contact the Admissions Office for additional information on the process and procedure.

Admission of Home-Schooled Students

Home-schooled students seeking admission as freshmen must have excelled academically in high school course work. They must have completed the minimum array of 17 units of rigorous college preparatory course work. Academic preparation and success are the primary considerations for admission, although non-academic factors are also considered. Each application for admission is given a comprehensive review.

Edit "Transfer" Edit page section

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants will be considered for admission if their previous academic record qualifies them as students in acceptable standing when equated to the LilyPadU standards in the Academic Standing and Progress policy. Transfer students are encouraged to apply for admission as early as possible prior to the semester in which they plan to enroll.  Priority application dates, after which admission of qualified student cannot be guaranteed, may be established each year. Information about specific dates can be found on the LilyPadU transfer admission website.

In addition to a rigorous college-level course curriculum, academic factors considered include cumulative GPA and trend in grades.  Students with fewer than two semesters of college-level coursework (24 or more transferable credits) will be considered for admission based on both their college and high school records.  Academic preparation and success are the primary considerations for admission, although non-academic factors are also considered. Higher academic expectations or earlier priority dates may be determined for specific majors to keep enrollments in line with program capacities.
Final deadlines to accept applications and supporting documents will be determined by the Admissions Office each semester and published on the LilyPadU transfer admission website. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the proper supporting documents have been delivered to the Admissions Office.

Students who have registered at other colleges and universities may not disregard their records at those institutions.   Failure to list previous college attendance on the application for admission is sufficient cause for cancellation of the student’s admission, of any credits earned, or both.
Transfer students who do not meet institutional admission criteria and are denied admission may appeal in writing to the Associate Director of Admissions.

Transfer of Credits

Credits earned at an institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) may be considered for transfer and applied toward a degree if they are similar in content and rigor to the curriculum at LilyPadU.  The Admissions Office will prepare a transfer credit evaluation for admitted students.   Appeal of the evaluation may be made to the Associate Director of Admissions, the Chair of the academic department, the Dean of that College, and if necessary, to the Provost/Vice Chancellor.  Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree or additional certifications are not given a transfer credit evaluation for their first degree; they receive specific advising from their academic department.

Associate of Arts and Sciences degrees from the State University System institutions satisfy the breadth of the LilyPadU Liberal Education Core.  Liberal Arts Associate of Arts and Science degrees from the State Technical College System (earned in 2004 or thereafter) and Associate in Arts degrees from out-of-state Colleges and Universities (earned in 1994 or thereafter) satisfy much of the breadth of the LilyPadU Liberal Education Core.   Contact the Admissions Office for specific information.  Competency requirements, levels of proficiency, and specific courses are still required.   Because individual baccalaureate degree programs stipulate specific courses, students should be attentive to the requirements of an intended major in planning their course selection prior to transferring.  In certain fields, credits that were earned more than ten years prior to admission or readmission may be invalid as degree credits.
Students who transfer from the State University System, the State Technical College System, or other accredited two-year institutions may transfer a maximum of 72 credits from those institutions.

Credit may be granted for post-secondary coursework at a foreign institution if the institution is recognized as a degree-granting institution by the country’s Ministry of Education.  Professional organizations such as the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators are utilized for information about best practices regarding evaluation of foreign credits and credentials.

Transfer of STCS Applied Associate Degree Credits

LilyPadU may transfer and apply coursework in general studies from the State Technical College System within areas of communications, behavioral sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences from programs leading to an applied associate degree.  Credits that are occupational and technical in nature may be considered for transfer on a case-by-case basis.  To be considered for transfer, credit must have been earned after September 1989.

Edit "Reentry" Edit page section

Reentry

All students who have been away from the University for two consecutive full-term semesters or more must file a reentry application. Students seeking reentry are encouraged to submit an application as early as possible prior to the semester in which they wish to return. Reentry after the term starts is not guaranteed. Students returning after an absence of two or more consecutive full-term semesters must meet the degree requirements of the catalog in effect upon their return, or a subsequent catalog.

Edit "Other" Edit page section

Admission of Veterans

A veteran who is not a high school graduate may be admitted on the basis of results required by the Admissions Office.

Veterans and certain eligible dependents may be entitled to educational benefits under various programs administered by the Veterans Administration (see Veteran Services Office). Veterans and eligible dependents may obtain these benefits while pursuing a course of study at LilyPadU. Students enrolled under these programs must carry 12 hours of credit during each semester of the academic year to be eligible for full-time Federal VA allotments. Summer Session allotments are determined by class contact hours and total credits. Part-time and full-time study grants are available to eligible State veterans.

Credit may be awarded for educational preparation acquired while in service:

  1. Special Training Program: Veterans will be asked to submit official transcripts of their records (This is typically done by submitting an official copy of the "Joint Service Transcript"). In granting credit, the University considers recommendation of the American Council on Education. No credit will be granted if such credit would constitute repetition of credit already earned.
  2. High school graduation equivalency will be granted to veterans who meet General Education Development (GED) Test standards as outlined by the American Council on Education, provided such tests have been completed by the date of formal registration.

Admission for Residents of U.S. Territories

American students from Territories of the United States are admitted on the same basis as other American students.

Admission of Nonresident Aliens

Nonresident aliens in the United States make application for admission in the same way as a U.S. citizen. Applicants must take a standardized examination prior to admission. Nonresident aliens admitted to the University must complete the University Writing Requirement or International Studies course work determined to be appropriate. Students are required to provide copies of both sides of their resident alien card.

Admission for International Students

LilyPadU welcomes applications from students from other countries. International students must complete an application for admission, provide evidence of English proficiency, confirm financial sponsorship, and submit academic records and examination results. Further information about the application process and required documents is available on the LilyPadU international admissions website. 
Application deadlines are June 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. After those dates, applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

United States immigration regulations have very strict limits on employment for international students.  International students must seek permission for any and all employment while in the United States.  The Center for International Education can advise international students regarding employment.
All international students are expected to live in University residence halls during their first year. Appeals to the housing requirement may be made to the Lead of the Center for International Education.
All international students are required to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan.

Edit "FAQ" Edit page section

PREPARATION FOR UNIVERSITY STUDY

A successful University experience depends upon the student’s high school preparation. The course work chosen should include at least the maximum number of subjects selected from English, both composition and literature; mathematics, with algebra, geometry, plus an additional college preparatory course; natural science; history, and other social studies. Students are strongly encouraged to take a mathematics class and two years of a single foreign language in the senior year.