DEGREE SEEKING FIRST- TIME FRESHMAN

Degree-Seeking, First-Time Freshman
This option is available for first-time freshman applicants who have not been enrolled in any college level institution except while in high school or during the summer immediately following high school graduation and before enrolling in the University for the subsequent fall. To be considered for this option, applicants must submit the following:

1. A completed application for admission.
2. An application fee of $35 (non-refundable).
3. Official test scores from either the ACT or SAT (the highest available ACT composite or SAT combined score will be used for admission decisions).  The written section is not required for admission.
4. An official transcript from an accredited high school which indicates graduation and the completion of three years of English, two years of mathematics, two years of social sciences, and two years of science.

First-time freshman applicants may be considered for conditional admission prior to high school graduation. In order to be considered, students must submit an official transcript which shows grades through at least six semesters.

Upon graduation from high school, such students must submit a final transcript showing completion of high school requirements.

Unless specifically requested by the Admissions Committee, first-time freshman who are at least 25 years of age on or before the first class day will not be required to submit test scores. However, some college credit as well as certain scholarships are awarded based on ACT or "recentered" SAT I scores, such students are encouraged to submit an official ACT or "recentered" SAT I score. Those students who are excused from the ACT or "recentered" SAT I requirement because of age and choose to forgo these exams relinquish any rights to benefits which may accrue as a result of specified examination scores.  In addition, other testing may be required for placement purposes.

First-time freshman students admitted to the University will be admitted under either the regular freshman or alternative admission category.

Regular Freshman Admission
Since the best predictors of academic success at Wayland have consistently been a combination of high school class rank and standardized test scores, regular freshman admission is based on a combination of rank in class and the score on either the ACT composite or SAT.

Alternative Freshman Admission
In addition to class rank and standardized test scores, other factors may significantly affect the capacity of any individual to perform well in the university environment. Among these are ethnicity, socioeconomic background, size and/or academic strength of a high school, and the length of time since high school graduation. The fact that students may be the first member of their family to attend a college or university can also be an influence. In addition, students who are not graduates of accredited high schools are increasingly seeking admission to the freshman year of study. Because of these factors, students who fall under one of the following categories may be admitted to the University under the Alternative Freshman Admission status:

1. Graduates who do not meet the combination of class rank and test score required for regular admission.
2. Graduates of non-accredited high schools.
3. GED recipients at least 17 years of age.
4. Students who have been home-schooled.

Admission under this category is at the discretion of the University's Admissions Committee. In addition to the documents required for regular admission, the Committee may also require an interview, additional documents, and/or additional testing. After consideration of all documentation the Committee may:

1. Admit the student under the category Regular Freshman Admission.
2. Admit the student under an Entrance Probation category.
3. Deny admission.

Students admitted under entrance probation may enroll in no more than 13 semester hours during their initial semester. In addition, to develop knowledge and skills required to satisfactorily perform at the collegiate level, students may be placed in appropriate Academic Achievement courses. All Academic Achievement courses in which students are placed must be taken in the first semester of attendance.