Undergraduate Admissions Policy (Policy 34)

Purpose

This policy defines undergraduate student admission eligibility and classification criteria at Governors State University.

1. Certificate-Seeking Status: Certificate-Seeking students are persons who plan to complete an undergraduate certificate. 
2. Degree-Seeking – First-Year Status Degree-Seeking: First-year students are persons who apply for admission to pursue a bachelor’s degree at GovState, while attending high school and/or haven't graduated yet, regardless of the amount of college degree credit earned; or are students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term; or who, since graduating from high school, have earned fewer than 24 credits at GovState or another institution of higher learning. 
3. Degree-Seeking – Transfer Status: Degree-Seeking transfer students are persons who earned at least 24 credits at another institution of higher learning and plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at GovState. 
4. Non Degree-Seeking Status: Non Degree-Seeking students are persons who plan to enroll in courses and who meet the minimum admission requirements but who do not intend to earn a degree or certificate at GovState. 
5. Undecided Status: Undecided students are persons who intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree but have not as yet decided which discipline to pursue.
6. Undeclared Status: Undeclared students are persons who have been admitted to GovState as either a Degree-Seeking First-Year Student or a Degree-Seeking Transfer Student, who have earned more than 60 hours of credit and have yet to declare a major.

1. Scope
   1. This policy applies to degree-seeking, non-degree seeking and certificate-seeking undergraduate students applying for admission to Governors State University.
2. Admission of Degree Seeking First-Year Students
   1. Persons are eligible for admission as Undergraduate Degree-Seeking First-Year students if they meet all of the following criteria: 
      1. Earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. 
      2. Show successful completion of the minimum high school subject requirements of 4 years of English, 3 years of Math, 2 years of Lab Sciences, 2 years of Social Sciences, 2 years of Fine Arts or 2 years of a Foreign Language, and 2 years of Elective Academic Units. 
      3. Provide an official high school transcript showing a minimum 2.00 GPA on a 4.0 scale. In the absence of a high school diploma and/or high school GPA, the following admission requirements apply: 
         1. For those with General Education Equivalency (GED) credentials, a passing score with the equivalent of a high school diploma. 
         2. For those with a home school history, applications will be reviewed for evidence of meeting the minimum high school curricular and achievement criteria. 
      4. Demonstrate the ability to successfully advance toward degree completion through a holistic review process. The holistic review process may take into account a wide range of factors, including: 
         1. GPA, GPA in college prep courses, the strength of curriculum, standardized test scores (ACT/SAT), 
         2. Personal letter of application, writing sample, student’s demonstrated interest, letters of recommendation (counselor, teacher, community leader, etc.), class rank, subject test scores (AP/IB), extracurricular activities (clubs, student government, athletics, employment, etc.) 
         3. Non-cognitive and personal attributes including intellectual/creative accomplishments, linguistic background, intellectual curiosity, leadership ability, maturity, demonstrated commitment to the community, cultural vitality, and behaviors and attitudes that demonstrate self-awareness, social engagement, and professionalism. 
   2. International applicants must submit: 
      1. Evidence of language proficiency as referenced in Policy 9; and 
      2. An evaluation of academic credentials. 
      3. All applicants must: 
         1. Complete and submit an undergraduate application form to the Office of Admission; and 
         2. Ensure that official transcripts and/or other official documents indicate the achievement of the criteria described in Section III. A are submitted to the Office of Admission before the application/credential deadline for the term in which enrollment is desired. 
      4. Special Admissions Students who are denied admission because they do not meet the criteria for admission can request a reconsideration. (See Policy 19U, Undergraduate Admissions and Readmissions). 
      5. Readmissions Students who are suspended or dismissed from the University, or who are on probation, or who have lost continuing status may apply for readmission. (See Policy 19U, Undergraduate Admissions and Readmissions). 
      6. Initial Classification 
         1. Degree-Seeking First-Year students will be admitted as a General Studies majors if they applied and were eligible for admission by the application deadline for the specified term in which enrollment is desired. 
         2. Students may remain General Studies majors for no more than 60 credit hours, after which such students must declare a major or they will be designated as undeclared. 
         3. Students who moved to undeclared status are not eligible for Title IV administered financial aid. 
         4. After completing 60 credit hours, students who have not applied and been admitted to a major must secure authorization from the division(s)/department(s) whose course(s) they want to take before registering for a subsequent semester.
   3. Admission of Degree-Seeking Transfer Students 
      1. Persons are eligible for admission as Degree-Seeking Transfer Students if they transfer from community colleges or other universities and: 
         1. Have earned (or will have earned by the term in which they wish to enroll) a minimum of 24 semester hours with at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; 
         2. Have satisfied any collegial and or major criteria, if applicable, for undergraduate study in a specific major; and 
         3. Were in good standing at the last institution attended. 
      2. All transfer applicants must: 
         1. Complete and submit an undergraduate application form to the Office of Admissions; and 
         2. Ensure that official transcripts and/or other official documents indicate the achievement of the criteria described in Section III. A are submitted to the Office of Admission before the application/credential deadline for the term in which enrollment is desired. 
         3. Initial Classification: 
            1. Degree-Seeking Transfer Students will be admitted as Degree-Seeking students to a specific undergraduate degree program (except those programs with special requirements and/or deadlines), or will be enrolled as undecided. 
            2. No more than 60 hours of credit earned while in undecided status at GovState, can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree. Students in undecided status are not eligible to earn a GovState degree. To enter a degree program, the student must submit a Change of Major/Status form to the program offering the degree, provide official documents indicating that any college or major admission criteria have been met, and be accepted by the department/division. 
            3. Students may remain in undecided status until 60 credit hours have been earned. A student must declare a major after having earned 60 credit hours or their status will be changed from “undecided” to “undeclared.” 
            4. Students who moved to undeclared status are not eligible for Title IV administered financial aid. 
            5. After completing 60 credit hours, students who have not applied and been admitted to a major must secure authorization from the division(s)/department(s) whose course(s) they want to take before registering for a subsequent semester.
   4. Admission of Non-Degree-Seeking Students
      1. Persons are eligible for admission as Non-Degree Seeking students only if they have earned a high school diploma or high school equivalent. 
      2. A maximum of six (6) credit hours earned as a Non-Degree Seeking student can be applied towards a degree with the written consent of the appropriate division/department chair. 
      3. Non-Degree Seeking students are not eligible for Title IV administered financial aid. 
      4. A person on an F-1 visa issued by another college/university is not eligible to enroll as a Non-Degree Seeking student unless the sponsoring university verifies enrollment in a degree program. 
      5. Students admitted as Non-Degree Seeking students must reapply to Governors State University if they wish to change their status to Degree Seeking.
   5. Admission of Students to a Certificate Program 
      1. Persons are eligible for admission as an undergraduate certificate student if they: 
         1. Meet the admission criteria stated in III or IV; and 
         2. Were in good standing at the last institution attended. 
      2. A maximum of six (6) hours of credit earned as an undecided or non-degree student can be applied to a certificate with the written consent of the appropriate division/department chair. 
      3. Applicants wishing to apply for admission for a certificate must complete the following: 
         1. Complete and submit a certificate application form to the Office of Admissions; 
         2. Ensure that official transcripts and/or other official documents required for admission to the intended certificate are submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to the application/credential deadline for the term in which enrollment is desired and; 
         3. Have satisfied any collegial and/or major admission criteria, if applicable, for an undergraduate certificate. 
      4. Applicants wishing to complete a certificate program in addition to their bachelor’s degree program must submit an “Add a Certificate” form to the academic program offering the certificate; provide official documents indicating that a collegial, or certificate, admission criteria have been met; and be accepted by the department/division.