Shepherd University

2005-07 Catalog
(Volume XLV * May 2005)

SECTION II: Admissions

Special Nondegree Students

Persons may apply and be considered for admission as special nondegree-seeking student. Special students may enroll in those courses for which they are qualified. Transcripts may be required to evaluate academic preparation before enrolling special students in certain courses. A maximum of 15 credit hours may be accumulated as a special student unless the Director of Admissions makes an exception based on individual circumstances.
If a student enrolled as a special, nondegree student wishes to change his or her enrollment status to that of a degree-seeking student, he or she needs to complete an admissions application form and a change of degree form (available in the Office of Admissions) and submit them along with the $35 admissions application fee to the Office of Admissions with all required credentials (see Admissions Requirements). Students changing degree status must meet all stated admissions requirements as listed in the Catalog at the time the change of degree status is initiated.

High School/University Concurrent Enrollment
Students may choose to be enrolled in both high school and college simultaneously. After the completion of their sophomore year in high school, students are eligible to submit an application for special admission to the University to enroll in freshman level course work, provided the student is concurrently enrolled in high school.
Students applying for concurrent enrollment must submit the following documentation for consideration by Admissions staff:

Completed nondegree application;

$35 application fee;

Official copy of high school transcript indicating an academic grade point average of a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale);

Composite ACT score of 21 and/or SAT score of 1000, PLAN or PSAT equivalents will be accepted;

Written recommendation from high school principal.

Transient Student Admission
A transient student is one who is primarily a student at another institution taking courses at Shepherd. Students who desire to enroll as transient students may do so upon the submission of a letter of good standing mailed directly to the Office of Admissions at Shepherd University from the institution which the student last attended. Also required is the submission of a transient application for admission at least one month prior to the opening of the semester in which the student decides to enroll.

Other Admission Categories

International Baccalaureate
Shepherd University recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum as a strong pre-university academic program and encourages applicants to complete the requirements for the IB diploma. Advanced standing will be awarded for higher level exams with scores of 5, 6, or 7 to students who present either the IB diploma or individual IB exam scores. Credit is not awarded for standard level exams.
Individual academic departments determine how credit will be awarded for IB exams in a manner similar to the awarding of credit for Advanced Placement exams.
To receive credit for International Baccalaureate higher level examinations, students must have the IB examination results sent to the Office of Admissions at Shepherd University. Academic departments may add or delete credit for these examinations if course content or examinations change.

Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP)
Shepherd University participates with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command in the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP), which permits eligible Army enlistees to receive admission to the University concurrent with their military enlistment and defer their University enrollment for classes for up to two years after discharge, and matriculate as veterans after they leave active duty. ConAP enlistees receive information and applications about the program from their Army recruiter. After receiving the completed forms from the Army's battalion education specialist, the Office of Admissions will send the enlistee the necessary University admissions applications. Shepherd University will serve as the enlistee's "home university" and will approve, for transfer back to Shepherd, courses from other universities which are taken while the enlistee is on active duty. The director of admissions at Shepherd serves as the liaison with the enlistee while in the military and a selected faculty member will serve as the enlistee's advisor.

Admission to Limited Enrollment Programs
Certain degree programs at Shepherd University have limited enrollment due either to enrollment capacity limitations or to special academic requirements. The University reserves the right to establish limited enrollment for additional programs at any time.
When enrollment is limited due to capacity constraints, the University will take in-state residency into consideration as a preferred criterion, but not as a controlling criterion. Applicants will be evaluated by the department faculty, and interviews or auditions (in the case of performing arts programs) may be required. See individual programs in this Catalog for specific details on admission requirements.

Admission to the MedSTEP Program
The MedSTEP program (Medical Students in the Eastern Panhandle) is an innovative program available to incoming freshman. It is specifically designed for students with a desire to attend medical school and provides dual admission to Shepherd and West Virginia University medical school.
The MedSTEP program is a highly selective program that assures that bright, dedicated students attending Shepherd University may automatically continue their training to become physicians at WVU Medical School. The program is open to students who are committed to becoming physicians in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
The following items are needed for your application:

Completed application form specific to MedSTEP program;

High school total GPA &ge to 3.6 (send hard copy transcript);

ACT score &ge 24; or SAT scores &ge to 1100 (send copy);

Letter of recommendation from your high school science teacher (our form);

Letter of recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor (our form);

Letter of recommendation citing your communication skills from a community leader;

Personal statement of your interest in the program;

Personal interview.
Applications are due by February 15 for fall enrollment. Students selected for interviews will be interviewed during the month of March and successful candidates will be notified in April or May.

Admission to the PharmSTEP Program
The PharmSTEP (Pharmacy Students in the Eastern Panhandle) program is for incoming freshman at Shepherd University. It is specifically designed for students with a desire to attend the pharmacy school and provides dual admission to Shepherd and West Virginia University School of Pharmacy.
The PharmSTEP program is highly selective and is designed to assure that bright, dedicated students attending Shepherd University may automatically continue their training to become pharmacists at WVU School of Pharmacy. The program is open to students who are committed to becoming pharmacists in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
The following items are needed for your application:

Completed application form;

High school total GPA &ge 3.6 (send official school transcript);

ACT math score &ge 26; or SAT math scores &ge 600 (send official copy of scores);

Letter of recommendation from your high school science teacher (accompanied by recommendation form);

Letter of recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor (accompanied by recommendation form);

Letter of recommendation from a community leader (accompanied by recommendation form);

Personal statement describing your interest in becoming a pharmacist and in entering the PharmSTEP program.
Applications and letters are due by February 15 for fall enrollment. Students selected for interviews will be interviewed during the month of April.

Admission to the DentSTEP Program
The DentSTEP program (Dental Students in the Eastern Panhandle) is an innovative and highly selective program, co-sponsored by West Virginia University School of Dentistry and Shepherd University. This program is available to incoming freshman. It is specifically designed for students with a desire to attend the dental school and provides dual admission to Shepherd and West Virginia University School of Dentistry.
The DentSTEP program assures that bright, dedicated students attending Shepherd University may continue their training to become dentists at WVU School of Dentistry. It is open to students who are committed to becoming dentists in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
The following items are needed for your application:

Completed application form;

High school total GPA „ to 3.25 (send hard copy transcript);

Minimum ACT score „ 22; or SAT scores „ to 1000 (send copy);

Letter of recommendation from your high school science teacher (DentSTEP);

Letter of recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor (DentSTEP);

Letter of recommendation citing your communication skills and/or community service;

Personal statement of your interest in the program;

Personal interview.
Applications forms are due by February 15 for fall enrollment. Students selected for interviews will be interviewed during the month of March and successful candidates will be notified in April or May.

Admission of Students with Disabilities
In accordance section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and by 45 CFR 84, "Nondiscrimination on Basis of Disability," Shepherd University is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, program accessibility, admissions, accessibility of physical facilities, treatment of students, academic adjustments, housing, financial aid, employment assistance to students, and in nonacademic services. No otherwise qualified person with a disability, shall on the basis of their disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program sponsored by the University. Some disabilities may be considered a barrier to completion or admission into the nursing education program. University officials desire to provide assistance when and where possible to students with disabilities. To do this, however, they must have reasonable notice of the special accommodations they will be asked to provide. Inquiries or requests should be directed to the campus Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.

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