Indiana Wesleyan University welcomes applications for admission from any academically qualified person whose motivation is in keeping with the university's purposes. Admission is based on the careful review of all credentials presented by an applicant, and in no case is admission denied due to race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex. Students are admitted in one of the following categories:
Distinction–Based on high school grade-point average and SAT/ACT scores or college GPA. Distinction students are eligible for academic scholarships.
Regular–Standard admission with no restrictions.
Conditional–Students whose GPA and/or national test scores are below the required level may be required to take courses in reading, study skills, and writing.
Provisional– First-year and transfer students who have a previous GPA below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale; restricts extracurricular activities and limits students to 13 credits in a semester. Some provisional students will be required to take courses in reading, study skills, and writing.
Unclassified–Students who are taking only a course or two and are not admitted to a program of study.
Prospective students are welcome to visit the campus. Appointments for interviews with an admissions counselor and/or a professor in a student's field of interest are encouraged. Overnight lodging for students is available on campus and may be reserved in advance through the Admissions Office. Call toll-free 1-866-468-6498, ext. 6507, or direct to the Admissions Office at 765-677-6507; E-mail address: admissions@indwes.edu. Internet: http://cas.indwes.edu.
Interested students are encouraged to apply for admission at the close of their junior year in high school. Applications are accepted throughout the senior year of high school, but should be submitted before March 1 for full consideration. Applications after March 1 will be considered as space is available. The completed application, high school transcript, test scores including an essay (SAT or ACT), recommendation, community values contract and personal essay are necessary for an admission decision. A tuition deposit is required before registration and is fully refundable until May 1.
The admission decision may be made with a high school transcript at the end of the junior year. It is to be followed later by the full four-year record and certification of graduation.
A student should have a minimum of each of the following: 8 credits in language arts (equivalent to 4 years); 6-8 credits in mathematics (equivalent to 3-4 years); 6 credits in science (equivalent to 3 years); 6 credits in social studies (equivalent to 3 years); 4 credits in foreign language (equivalent to 2 years); 2 credits in health, physical education, safety (equivalent to 1 year); and 4-6 credits from other courses offered (equivalent to 2-3 years). Regular admission requires that applicants have at least a 2.6 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale and a 880 SAT or 18 ACT score. Applicants who do not meet the requirements for regular admission may request special consideration.
Applicants may make arrangements at their local high school counseling office to take the SAT or ACT in the junior year or as early as possible in the senior year. Applicants who are unable to present SAT or ACT scores can make special arrangements with The Aldersgate Center at the IWU campus to be tested.
Individuals not having the required high school entrance units may be admitted if they achieve satisfactory scores on a high school equivalency examination (GED).
Students who have attended other colleges or universities may be admitted at advanced levels depending on the amount of credit transferable from the other institutions. Transcripts of all other college work must be submitted with other admission credentials at the time of application to the Indiana Wesleyan University Admissions Office. All transcripts must be sent directly from the office of the registrar at the college or university attended. Students are also required to have a form (Transfer Information Form) completed from the last institution attended verifying that the student left the college in good academic and social standing.
Credit is granted for work with a satisfactory grade ("C" or above) taken at an approved college or university accredited at the same level, provided the courses are applicable to the curriculum the student wishes to pursue at Indiana Wesleyan University. An "approved college or university" generally refers to those institutions that are accredited by a regional accrediting body or the Association for Biblical Higher Education (formerly the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges). A maximum of twelve semester hours of credit taken by correspondence from an accredited institution may be applied toward a degree at Indiana Wesleyan University.
The university registrar is responsible to approve the transferability of all credits. Credit hours accepted in transfer are recorded, but quality points and grades are omitted and used only for the purposes of graduating with Honors.
Credits from unaccredited colleges and universities and from schools/colleges/universities not accredited at the same level–such as proprietary business schools, vocational/technical schools, or other single purpose institutions–will not be transferable without individual assessment. The number of credits transferable from such institutions will be limited to two years (62 semester hours).
Credit from nontraditional learning by life experience may only be awarded with an Indiana Wesleyan University individual assessment. Credit will be determined through the assessment and approval process. Credit through examination (CLEP/DANTES/Advance Placement) may only be awarded with official test scores from an official testing center and an Indiana Wesleyan University individual assessment. The maximum number of credits awarded shall be limited to a total of 40 semester hours for the baccalaureate degrees and 18 semester hours for the associate degrees, and ordinarily will not be applied to upper-division requirements in the major (junior and senior levels). It is the responsibility of the student to obtain approval from the appropriate division for the application of credits to the majors.
Indiana Wesleyan University is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. It is recommended that interested students contact the Admissions Office as early as possible (preferably one year in advance) as there are usually delays in preparing visas, passports, and transcripts. All application forms, documents, test scores, and payments must be received by July 1 of the year of intended study.
Students who do not speak English as their first and primary language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to admission to the university. A score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (Internet-based) is required for regular academic admission. Please visit the TOEFL Web site (www.toefl.org) for more information. Before the immigration form I-20 can be sent, students from all countries except Canada must send to the university (a) money equivalent to the first semester's tuition, room, and board; and (b) a $1000.00 U.S. emergency deposit to be held for the complete duration of a student's enrollment and to be used in case of family or medical emergency. Students from all countries including Canada must send to the university (a) a letter of financial commitment with certified bank statements indicating sufficient funds for attendance; and (b) proof of health insurance coverage in the U.S. or $500 for approximately one year of insurance premium (must be renewed annually).
Contact the Admissions Office for specific admissions procedures.
A student who has previously been enrolled in Indiana Wesleyan University and has discontinued enrollment for one semester or more must reapply. Application for re-enrollment may be made at the Admissions Office. Any student who attended other institutions of higher learning must submit the transfer information form completed by the last college attended and official transcripts of all work completed before a readmission decision can be made. All transcripts must be sent directly from the office of the registrar at the college or university attended.
Qualified high school students are offered a head start on their university education by enrolling under the Credits-in-Escrow program. A student must have maintained a 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale in high school classes and be recommended by a high school counselor or principal to qualify. A qualified student who has completed the first semester of the junior year may begin taking courses in the spring semester, continue each summer session, and take one course each semester of the senior year, not to exceed four courses. There is no tuition charge for credits earned under the Credits-in-Escrow program; however, a registration fee of $50 per course is charged at the time of registration. Students must be registered by the first day of classes.
Students not pursuing a university degree, who want to take individual courses for personal development, may have an unclassified admission and register for up to six hours per semester. This does not constitute admission to a university program. A maximum of 18 credit hours may be taken in this status.
Students wishing to pursue a degree program must reapply for regular admission. Guest students from other colleges should have the approval of their home institution. By special arrangement, high school students may register under this classification while meeting requirements for high school graduation. By special arrangement, senior adults may register at a reduced fee. Information on these programs is available in the Records Office.
Students wishing to audit may not register until the first day of classes on a space-available basis.
Acceptance in the freshman class with a major in teacher education, nursing education, social work, Christian/youth ministries, or other professional programs does not necessarily imply admission to these professional programs. Each department has specific requirements that must be met at different levels of the program. See the section entitled "Schools of Instruction" in this catalog for specific details.