Admissions

To receive priority processing and scholarship consideration, applications should be submitted by March 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. Application deadline is August 1.

Early Admission Requirements

• Official secondary school transcript with a GPA of 2.75 or above
• ACT or SAT are required to be submitted no later than May 30 for merit scholarship and enrollment in fall. Students whose test scores do not meet the minimum requirement may have their admission status changed from Early to Summer Bridge.

Southwestern encourages the TEA Recommended High School Program of 26 credits, which will increase a student's opportunities for success.

• 4 credits of English/Language Arts
• 4 credits of Mathematics, including Algebra I, II, and Geometry
• 4 credits of Science, including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
• 4 credits of Social Studies, including World History, World Geography, U.S. History, 1/2 credit Government, 1/2 credit Economics
• 1 credit of Physical Education
• 1/2 credit of Speech
• 1 credit of Fine Arts
• 5 1/2 credits of Electives
• 2 credits of Foreign Language Studies

Applicants taking Advanced Placement classes should consult the AP examination program in the Academic section of this Bulletin regarding scores necessary for college credit.

Students who do not meet one of the two minimum admission requirements (GPA or SAT/ACT) must participate in Summer Bridge. Learning takes place in a three-week session prior to the beginning of the freshman year and provides developmental learning support in the areas of math, reading, and writing. At the end of the session, student progress is assessed and students are placed accordingly in math and English. Summer Bridge includes one (1) credit which will apply toward the requirements for a degree. Session cost is $400 which includes course instruction, housing, meals, books, field trips and weekend events.

To receive priority processing and scholarship consideration, submit applications by March 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester.  Application deadline is August 1.

• Official transcripts of all college/universities attended with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Students with less than 24 credits will need to submit ACT/SAT scores and proof of secondary school completion

Academic credit earned from regionally accredited colleges and universities will be accepted as transfer credit subject to the following guidelines:

• Courses with grades of C- or higher will transfer
• Even though credit hours are transferable, the hours may not necessarily apply toward a particular degree program or general education requirements
• All courses taken at a community college transfer as lower-division hours only
• Courses considered technical, developmental/remedial, continuing education, cooperative education, extension, English as a Second Language, and non-credit classes will not transfer
• Transcripts submitted from non-accredited institutions are evaluated on a course by course basis
• Transcripts from universities outside the United States must be evaluated for the student by an independent evaluation service. Southwestern recommends the use of World Evaluation Services www.wes.org

Transfer students who have not completed the general education mathematics requirement and/or the freshman composition requirement prior to enrollment at the University should submit the ACT or SAT for English prior to registering for classes. Required test scores for ENGL 121 can be any of the following: SAT critical reading score of 450 before March 2016, SAT ERW of 480 beginning April 1, 2016, or ACT English of 17.

Applicants who do not meet the published requirements may be considered for admission on academic probation. A letter of intent to succeed along with two references need to be submitted to the Office of Admissions for consideration by the Admissions Committee.

Completed application deadline is August 1.

1. Apply online to Southwestern Adventist University at swau.edu/apply
2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
3. Two professional reference letters
4. TEAS Test

• Physician's report of physical exam
• Current immunizations (MMR, HepB, Varicella, TB, Tdap, Influenza)
• CPR Card (American Heart Association-Basic Life Support)
• Complete fingerprinting process through CastleBranch

The application deadline is May 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester.  Student must be fully admitted by June 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester to allow sufficient time for the student to obtain an I-20 and obtain a student visa.

In addition to meeting the freshman or transfer acceptance requirements, an international student must submit official copies of all education documents validated by school or national officials. These should be in the original language, accompanied by a certified English translation.

Students for whom English is not their native language must submit any of the following tests with the minimum score listed:

• TOEFL* (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• PBT old 550, PBT new 65, IBT 85, CBT 235
• IELTS 6.5
• iTEP 3.9
• PTE 55
• Michigan test 80
• SAT before March 2016 430 Critical Reading or 23 new SAT Reading
• ACT 17 English

               or

• Transfer of a minimum of 24 semester credit hours from a college or university where English is the language of instruction.

All students needing an I-20 must meet the following:

• Submit legible copy of valid passport information page
• Submit at least three (3) bank statements that give evidence of income
• Submit the international student deposit of $1000 which includes the $200 residence hall room deposit, and a $100 non-refundable processing fee
• Pre-payment of $6500* for undergraduate students or graduate students
• Upon receipt of I-20 student must submit payment to SEVIS for I-901.

*If a student is not granted a visa and does not enroll, these funds will be returned minus the processing fee and any transaction fees.

Current immigration laws allow an international student with an F-1 Visa to work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during vacations provided that the student is registered for the subsequent academic semester. While there are many campus jobs available, Southwestern does not guarantee student employment.

Major medical insurance coverage must be purchased through Southwestern at registration. If a student is already insured through the SDA system, he/she must provide documentation of equivalent insurance coverage. No insurance coverage refunds will be made after the second week of classes.

International students should not leave their homeland until they have the following:

• A letter of acceptance from Southwestern Adventist University
• An I-20 from Southwestern Adventist University
• A valid passport and F-1 Visa for travel to the United States of America

Prospective students can apply at no cost online at www.swau.edu/apply or request an application packet from the Enrollment Services Office at enroll@swau.edu.

• Completed paper applications should be sent to the Admissions Office with an application fee of $25.00.
• It is the responsibility of the student to request all transcripts and SAT or ACT scores to be sent to the Admissions Office at Southwestern Adventist University. These become the property of the University.
• When all documents have been received, the application, transcripts and test scores will be reviewed and the Admissions Office will notify the applicant of the decision.

New students who are accepted need to submit a $50.00 Commitment Deposit in order to reserve their place in the entering class. This allows access to student Portal and gives priority processing for financial aid. Priority deadline is May 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. Commitment deposits are applied to the student's account and are non-refundable if the student does not enroll.

Special permission to register is extended to a variety of students wishing to take classes at the University. Academic transcripts are not required. Tuition and fee charges for these students are provided in the financial section of this Bulletin.

Non-degree students desiring to change to degree status must apply and meet all regular admission requirements.

Audit. Students who plan only to audit a class must submit a Special Student Admission Application and a request for registration.

Individual Distance Learning (IDL). Students taking on-line courses who do not wish to enroll for a degree program must submit an application and a request for registration.

Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment. The University has several programs available to high school students to take University courses on-line, on-campus, or at a Union academy. Students interested in these programs should contact the Office of Admissions and submit an application and a request for registration.

Teacher Certification. Individuals who need specific courses for certification must submit an application and a request for registration. Students interested in certification should consult the Department of Education section in this Bulletin.

Transient. Students enrolled at another college or university who wish to take a course must submit an application and a guest letter from their college or university.

Students seeking readmission after being unenrolled for one year must reapply and submit official transcripts from any subsequent college or university to the Office of Admissions.

Returning students will be readmitted provided there are no academic sanctions, disciplinary actions, or financial holds restricting enrollment. Students who are readmitted after two or more semesters of non-attendance must meet the degree requirements of the Bulletin in effect at the time of readmission.

Southwestern Adventist University offers four-year graduates of any accredited college or university, including Southwestern, the opportunity to take additional undergraduate classes, to complete another undergraduate degree or to apply for graduate studies. Admission policies will apply to these students as follows.

• Additional classes only as a non-degree student
• Additional undergraduate degree as a transfer student

The tuition discount for post-baccalaureate students is 50% of full tuition cost.