Indiana State University, in affirming its commitment to excellence, recognizes the value of a student population reflecting academic achievement, cultural diversity, and special talent. The University’s admissions policies allow for the individual consideration of each applicant and help service a student population with these characteristics.
The primary criterion for admission is evidence that a candidate is prepared to succeed in a degree program. Admission standards are stated in terms of traditional school and college grading systems. For applicants whose records include either a high proportion of nontraditional grades, or a subject pattern which departs markedly from that normally associated with university study, additional evidence of academic potential in support of their applications, such as entrance examinations, interviews, and letters of recommendation, may be requested. The admission of applicants who are older than the traditional college age will be determined individually, with special attention given to employment experience and motivation.
Individuals may seek exceptions to any of the requirements below by petitioning the Admissions Committee to consider additional factors that may indicate college potential. A limited number of students may be admitted on condition that they agree to follow a prescribed course of study and advisement.
To be considered for admission candidates must submit a completed admission application, a $25 non-refundable application processing fee, and have official transcripts sent directly from all secondary and post-secondary institutions (see the Required Transcripts section) to the Office of Admissions. Applications may be submitted electronically or downloaded from the Web site and sent to the Office of Admissions. In addition, applications can be requested from the Office of Admissions or obtained from a school guidance counselor. Visit the University’s Web site at http://www.indstate.edu and follow the links to the admissions office page.
Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a given academic program or enrollment in specific courses. Applicants are asked to designate their intended major area of study on the application. The academic divisions of the University which may have additional admission requirements will notify applicants of these standards. See appropriate Catalog sections under academic departments and the professional colleges for further details regarding program admission criteria.
Applications for freshman admission may be filed after the student has completed the junior year in high school. Transfer applicants may apply as early as one academic term in advance of their intended semester of enrollment.
| *Fall Semester | July 1 |
| **Spring Semester | December 1 |
| First Summer Session | May 1 |
| Second Summer Session | July 1 |
Early application is encouraged for scholarship consideration.
* No student may be admitted for the fall term after August 15. Applicants for fall semester, whose files are incomplete as of August 15, will not be allowed to enroll until the subsequent term.
** No student may be admitted for the spring term after December 15. Applicants for spring semester, whose files are incomplete as of December 15, will not be allowed to enroll until the subsequent term.
Students must submit official transcripts from all institutions at which college course work has been attempted. Applicants for admission or readmission are required to disclose registration at any college or university and to submit official transcripts documenting that registration as a condition for admission or readmission. Failure to disclose attempted course work at other colleges or universities constitutes fraud upon the University.
Transfer students who have earned 24 or more transferable semester credit hours need not ordinarily submit a high school transcript. However, transfer students who have not completed foreign language study at their transfer institution, but did complete a minimum of two years of study of a single foreign language in high school (with a C average in all foreign language courses), should have their high school transcript sent to the Office of Admissions where the completion of the foreign language requirement will be recorded. To be official, all transcripts must be sent directly from the registrar’s office of the schools previously attended to the Office of Admissions at Indiana State University. Electronic transcripts can be issued from Indiana secondary schools utilizing the Commission of Higher Education sponsored Docufide Program. All such documents must be received by the above closing dates to ensure consideration.
Freshman applicants under 21 years of age and transfers who have completed fewer than 24 transferable semester credit hours must submit scores for the SAT or the ACT. Test scores are used to obtain a measure of the individual’s academic aptitude, to assist in academic advising, and to assure proper course placement.
All Indiana high school graduates after 2001 must pass both the mathematics and English sections of ISTEP or receive an official waiver from their high school in order to gain admission to the University.
Indiana State University currently recommends the following high school course curriculum. Students who graduate from high school in 1998 or after are expected to complete the Indiana Core 40 curriculum (or equivalent for non-Indiana high school graduates) to qualify for unconditional admission. Indiana Core 40 includes the following:
Freshmen candidates applying directly from high school are expected to complete a rigorous college preparatory curriculum (Core 40 curriculum for Indiana residents) and maintain a competitive grade point of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. (A limited number of students who do not meet these requirements may be admitted conditionally into the Academic Opportunity Program if they agree to participate in services offered through the Student Academic Services Center.)
Additional consideration will be given to standardized test scores, the rigor of the high school curriculum, grades earned in academic subjects, and other evidence of academic potential. Employment experience and motivation will be considered also for those who chose not to enter college immediately following high school.
Students completing GED diplomas are also given admission consideration based upon percentile rank, schooling completed, and additional standardized test scores.
Fall and spring semester freshman are required to attend the Sycamore Advantage registration program held in June and early January of each year, respectively. Any freshman who fails to attend this program will not be allowed to register for classes before attending the “Knowing Sycamores” Orientation program and completing a consultation with Student Financial Aid.
Transfer applicants normally are eligible for admission if:
NOTE: Some programs require higher standards for admission. Students should consult the section of this Catalog that describes the academic program they wish to enter.
The academic dean of the college of the student’s intended major determines the transferability and applicability of transfer credit hours. Transfer credit will be re-evaluated if a transfer student changes his/her degree program.
The following guidelines govern transfer of courses:
Transfer credit hours are assigned only for college-level courses.
Application of transfer credits depends on the student’s choice of degree program. Transfer credit will be re-evaluated if transfer students change their degree program. Transfer credit may be assigned as course equivalency or as elective credit as described below:
Students who have been offered admission and have submitted official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges or universities to the Indiana State University Office of Admissions should review their Degree Audit Report after enrolling at Indiana State to identify the status of each course and the total number of hours transferred to Indiana State University. After reviewing the Degree Audit Report, students may request a reconsideration of their transfer credit evaluation from the academic dean’s office in the college of the student’s intended major. Students access the Degree Audit Report through myisu.indstate.edu
Indiana State University has established articulation agreements with several colleges and universities that allow students to complete a specific associate degree program at another institution and receive up to 94 hours of credit toward a specific bachelors degree program at Indiana State University. Each articulation agreement will stipulate the Indiana State University courses needed to complete the bachelors degree program and any requirements or guidelines that govern a particular agreement (for example, course and cumulative grade point requirements that differ from the University’s general requirements). Students should review the articulation requirements presented by the appropriate Indiana State University college or by their chosen program at the institution from which they intend to transfer.
The Office of Degree Audit and Transfer maintains current listings of articulated programs and course equivalencies between Indiana State University and other colleges and universities. Interested students should consult the Web site: http://web.indstate.edu/transfer/
Students who have earned articulated associate of science (A.S.) degrees, associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degrees, or have accumulated credit hours from accredited collegiate institutions may be eligible to enroll in DegreeLink programs on the Indiana State University campus or through Distance Education. (See the DegreeLink Program description in this Catalog) or visit the DegreeLink Web site at http://www.indstate.edu/degreelink
Applicants whose academic records do not satisfy the requirements listed above may petition the Office of Admissions for special consideration. The petition provides an opportunity for students to describe factors, which may have led to inadequate academic achievement, and their educational goals and motivation. Applicants admitted by exception are placed on academic probation during their first semester of enrollment. If they are unable to achieve at least a 2.0 grade point average during their first semester at Indiana State University, they will be subject to academic dismissal (the minimum grade point average required of students on probation differs by number of earned hours; see Retention Standards elsewhere in this Catalog).
Because of the variety of educational systems throughout the world, there are broad admission requirements for international students. An evaluation is made of all credentials associated with the academic qualifications and intended field of study of the applicants.
International applicants are expected to demonstrate evidence of academic potential. In addition to evidence of academic potential, international students must demonstrate financial responsibility and English language proficiency. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), taken at a national or international test site, is normally required as an indication of proficiency. Students may also be admitted with residual TOEFL scores (through TOEFL testing on campus), or without TOEFL scores if they are able to demonstrate proficiency in English through other means, such as course work completed in an accredited American institution, or by completing the Interlink ESL Program available at the Indiana State University campus.
International students should apply early to be assured of timely completion of the admission process. They should contact the United States Consulate concerning the time required to process the education visa, and wait for official notice of admission before traveling to the United States for attendance at Indiana State University. Once admission has been granted and an I-20 visa issued, it is the responsibility of the applicant to make all the necessary arrangements for entrance into the United States and for residence in the State of Indiana throughout the duration of study at the University.
Requirements for Admissions
A complete application file contains the following:
Requirement for Admissions-Freshmen
Requirement for Admissions-Transfers
Transfer applicants must have:
Requirement for Admissions-Special Conditions
An official report of the TOEFL score from Educational Testing Services must be received by the Office of Admissions. Applicants from English-speaking nations whose first language is not English are required to submit the appropriate TOEFL score. Applicants must have a minimum of:
Business majors must submit a minimum of:
Intensive language training is available through the Interlink Language Center if TOEFL scores listed above are not met.
International students may request to transfer credits from a foreign or an American accredited collegiate institution. International student transcripts are reviewed by the International Affairs Center. The academic dean of the college of the student’s intended major determines the transferability and applicability of transfer credit hours. Transfer credit will be re-evaluated if transfer students change their degree program. Transfer credit hours are restricted to college-level courses from institutions accredited by the ministry of higher education in the home country and must meet a minimum standard grade deemed equivalent to a C or higher in the United States higher education system.
The total number of credit hours which may be applied from a foreign university is assessed in terms of the level of accreditation granted to the institution by the ministry of higher education in the country of origin. The total number of hours that may be applied to an Indiana State University baccalaureate degree cannot exceed 94.
Students transferring from institutions of higher education abroad with which Indiana State University has developed program articulations will receive transfer credit in accordance with the provisions of the articulated program agreement.
Former Indiana State University students who have interrupted their studies for more than two calendar years must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. Applicants for readmission are required to disclose registration at any college or university and to submit official transcripts documenting that registration as a condition for readmission. Failure to disclose attempted course work at other colleges or universities constitutes fraud upon the University.
Unconditional Readmission. Students who have maintained at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average at the other institutions and left Indiana State University in good academic standing are eligible for unconditional readmission.
Readmission on Probation. Applications from students who were academically dismissed from Indiana State University will be reviewed in the Office of Admissions and by the academic dean of the college of the student’s intended major. Former degree-seeking students cannot enroll as non-degree students if they are on academic probation or have been academically dismissed. No student may be readmitted if academically dismissed three times. Applications from students who left ISU in good standing, but experienced academic difficulty at a different institution will also be reviewed by the academic dean of the college of the student’s intended major. Students readmitted on academic probation are expected to earn the required minimum grade point average in their first return term or are subject to academic dismissal.
Indiana State University provides Academic Renewal as an option to returning student applicants who have been out of school for a significant period of time and whose previous academic performance is not indicative of the academic work of which they are now capable. Academic Renewal recognizes that such students are often hampered by a previous, low grade point average, and it offers them the opportunity to use only those classes, taken after readmission, in the computation of their Indiana State University grade point average. The following conditions apply:
To apply for Academic Renewal, students should consult their academic dean.
Continuing students who attempt additional course work at colleges or universities other than Indiana State are required to promptly submit official transcripts documenting those attempts. Failure to disclose attempted course work at other colleges or universities constitutes fraud upon the University.
The University welcomes those who wish to enroll without intending to pursue a degree program at ISU. While such individuals are expected to satisfy admission requirements, they are not ordinarily asked to provide academic credentials from high school or previous colleges.
Non-degree students must complete applications for non-degree study in the Office of Admissions before the beginning of each term of their intended enrollment. Non-degree students may complete registration on-line. Registration is determined upon a space available basis. The Office of Admissions may require high school or college transcripts from individuals who repeatedly enroll as non-degree students if continued enrollment suggests the pursuit of a degree program. Students are limited to no more than six semester hours for any given term while in non-degree status. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid consideration.
High School-University Agreement. Indiana State University provides qualified high school students an opportunity for advanced study and university credit in courses not available at their secondary schools. This opportunity is primarily for outstanding high school juniors and seniors who have exhausted courses available to them in high school.
Credits earned in non-degree status may later be applied to a degree program, but the University cannot guarantee their applicability until such students have been admitted to the University. Consequently, persons wishing to pursue degree programs as part-time students must complete a regular admission application and submit official transcripts from schools and colleges previously attended.
Persons who wish to enroll in a non-credit course should apply through the Office of Continuing Education.