Shepherd University

2005-07 Catalog
(Volume XLV * May 2005)

SECTION II: Admissions

Admission Requirements

General Freshman Admission
A student applying for general freshman admission may submit an application any time after the completion of six semesters of high school.
Applicants must submit the following documentation for consideration by the Admissions staff:

Completed Undergraduate Application for admission;

$35 application fee;

Official secondary school records documenting completion of the minimum high school academic unit requirements;

Results of the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), including the writing portion. The admissions and academic personnel of Shepherd University may require enrollment in basic skills courses and programs or other appropriate measures for a student whose high school record and/or standardized test scores indicate a deficiency in certain areas.

Required Units
Units (Years)
4 English (including courses in grammar, composition, and literature).
3 social studies (including U.S. history).
3 mathematics (algebra I, and at least 2 higher units).
3 science (2 of 3 units must be laboratory science. At least 2 units from coordinated and thematic science 10, biology, chemistry, physics and other courses with a strong laboratory science orientation).
1 physical education.
It is strongly recommended, but not required, that you complete a minimum of two consecutive units of a foreign language.

Elective Units
It is recommended that the remaining elective units be chosen from the academic core (English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies) or subjects such as computer science, fine arts, humanities, and keyboarding.

Required Grade Averages and Test Scores

Minimum 2.0 academic grade point average (on a 4-point scale).

Minimum composite ACT score of 19 and/or SAT score of 910.
*Applicants who have been graduated from high school more than five years at the time of application for admissions do not need ACT or SAT scores unless specified by a specific program.

Admission by GED Test
Non-high school graduates who are veterans or are over the age of 19 and have been out of high school at least one year or whose senior class has graduated one year previously may be admitted if they attain a standard score of 410 (which is the state requirement for a diploma) on each of the five parts of the General Educational Development (GED) Test or an average standard score of 450 or above on the entire test or a total of 2250 points on the test. GED scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing center or county superintendent of schools in order to be considered official.
Applicants for admission who have held the GED more than five years at the time of application for admission do not need ACT or SAT scores unless specified by a specific program. Applicants holding the GED less than five years must submit scores from either the ACT or SAT. Students admitted without ACT or SAT scores are normally required to take a placement examination prior to course registration.

Home School Admission
Shepherd University makes every effort to accommodate the special circumstances of home schooled students during the admissions process. Applicants must submit the following documentation for consideration by the Admissions staff:

Students under the umbrella of a degree-granting organization please submit evidence of the course work completed and the level of performance;

In absence of such a document, please submit a detailed portfolio describing the breadth of course work. This could include a research project, résumé, reading list, community service, athletic and/or artistic endeavors, and study abroad;

Official transcript from an accredited university or college (if applicable);

AP tests scores (if applicable);

ACT/SAT test scores;

Essay (highly recommended but not required).

General Transfer Admission
Applicants who have earned 15 credits or 24 quarter hours from another accredited college or university, have a minimum 2.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 point scale), and are in good standing at the institution last attended may apply as transfer students. They must submit the following documentation for consideration by the Admissions staff:

Completed Undergraduate Application for admission;

$35 application fee;

Official transcripts from each college/university previously attended*;

Student Personnel Record Form, which shows student standing at prior institution.
*Shepherd University does not, under any condition, disregard college or university courses taken or credits earned elsewhere. Failure to report enrollment at another college or university and failure to have transcripts sent to Shepherd are considered falsification of the admissions application form. Applicants found to be in violation of University policy are subject to disciplinary action, which may include expulsion.
Credit earned at other accredited colleges and universities will apply toward a degree at Shepherd University when applicable. A student who is on academic probation or suspension at another institution is not eligible for admission to Shepherd University. Individuals who have been out of school for a period of at least two full academic years (24 months) may be considered for admission on academic probation if their grade point average is less than 2.0. During the period of probation, the individual must meet the regulations of the probation policy in effect at the time of attendance. Applicants who have completed less than 15 semester or 24 quarter hours of course work at another institution must submit copies of their high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores in addition to the required university transcripts. Both high school and university credentials will be used in the admissions evaluation. Transcripts received by Shepherd become the property of the University and cannot be returned to the student.
All grades and credits transferred to Shepherd University are posted on the student's permanent record exactly as received from all other colleges and/or universities with the following proviso: 1) plus and minus signs will be ignored, 2) D and F grades can be replaced only if earned within the first 60 hours attempted, and 3) for admission purposes, all grades on the student's transcript(s) will be used in computing the grade point average.

Credit Hours Transfer Policies
Students who transfer from a regionally-accredited junior or community college are allowed a maximum of 72 semester hours toward the 128 credit hour minimum for graduation from Shepherd University. In compliance with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, students who have completed more than 72 hours of course work may select the courses they wish to have evaluated as part of their semester hours of credit counted toward graduation. The total number of credit hours earned will be calculated in the student's overall grade point average. Credits from universities that do not have regional accreditation are assigned on the basis used by the state university in the state where the nonaccredited university is located.
After enrollment at Shepherd University, a student may not transfer to this institution any courses in major, minor, or teaching fields except by advanced permission of Shepherd faculty. Advance permission will be required to take any course at another institution and transfer it to Shepherd University. (See Section V for details.)

International Student Admission
International student applicants must follow the requirements for general freshman or transfer admissions, depending on the desired enrollment status. In addition, the following documentation is needed for consideration by the Admissions staff:

Demonstration of both written and spoken English proficiency. Such proficiency can be established by the successful completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), administered by the Educational Testing Service. A minimum score of at least 550 on the paper test or 213 on the computer test is required for admission to Shepherd University;

Notarized letter indicating a guarantee of financial support and/or bank statement;

Certified scholastic attainment that is equivalent to that of a high school graduate in the United States;

Official transcripts from each college/university previously attended; all college/university transcripts from foreign countries must be accompanied by an International Academic Credential Evaluation.
With the implementation of the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, an international student applying for admission to Shepherd University must submit all items needed for admission at least four months in advance of the starting semester. Before an offer of admission can be extended to an applicant, the applicant's information must be submitted to SEVIS. SEVIS will then advise the University if the student may be admitted and will issue the required I-20 form to the student.
Decisions about admission will be made after complete records have been received by Shepherd University.

Readmit Admissions
Individuals who have attended Shepherd College/Shepherd University as degree-seeking students and have left Shepherd in good academic standing, or students who left the institution while on academic suspension and have been out of school for more than two consecutive regular semesters (not including summer sessions) must apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions.
Applicants for readmission must submit the following documentation for consideration by the Admissions staff:

Application for readmission, available in the Office of Admissions. As part of the readmission process, approval from the Offices of Financial Aid, Business, Registrar, and Student Affairs will be required. The student must be in good standing with each of these offices to gain readmission;

Applicants for readmission who have been academically suspended, who have been placed on academic probation, or who have below a 2.0 grade point average will be required to meet with student support services before the Office of Admissions can process the readmission application;

An explanation of their activities (employment, military service) from the time of last enrollment at Shepherd until their planned return to the University.

A health record is valid for only five years after original submission. If a student's original health record is older than five years than a new one is required.

Residence hall applications and deposit checks of $200 ($100 non-refundable advance room deposit which is credited to the fall semester room charges and $100 damage deposit) should be submitted after readmission to the institution has been granted if on-campus housing is desired and/or required (see section on Residence Life).

Early Decision Plan
Shepherd University offers early admission to students whose first college choice is Shepherd. Under early admission, a qualified applicant whose complete admissions application with all supporting credentials is on file in the Office of Admissions by November 15 will receive notice of acceptance within 10 days. This plan is designed to reduce the burden of the admissions process for those applicants who are considered highly desirable for admission by the University and who fully intend to enroll. A student applying for admission under the Early Decision Plan should possess academic qualifications that meet minimum admissions standards at the end of the sixth semester of high school. These students must meet all the admissions requirements outlined in the University Catalog. Students interested in applying under the Early Decision Plan should contact the Office of Admissions at Shepherd University for further information.

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