Undergraduate Catalog: Admission Information

First-Year Student || Basic Items Required || Assessment of Special Talents || Early Admission || Limited Academic Schedule || Project GREAT || Deferred Enrollment || Transferring || International Admission || International Baccalaureate || Final Transcripts || Special Opportunities

Marywood University accepts applications for admission as an undergraduate student for both fall and spring academic semesters. All prospective undergraduate students seeking an academic challenge and a supportive environment who wish to enroll as first year students, or who wish to transfer academic credit from another college or university, are encouraged to apply. Each application is carefully evaluated with guidelines developed by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee meets on a regular schedule during the academic year, and candidates are normally informed of an admission decision within a few weeks after an application becomes complete. To apply for admission and financial aid, prospective students may write or telephone the Office of University Admissions (1-570-348-6234 or toll-free 1-866-279-9663), or contact the office by e-mail (YourFuture@marywood.edu). Online applications may be completed through our website (www.MyMarywood.com).

Application for Admission as a First Year Student

Most students enrolling in Marywood as first year students in the fall semester are recent secondary school graduates and apply for admission between the comple­tion of the junior year in high school and before completion of the senior year, usually during the fall of their senior year. Marywood Admissions are on a rolling basis and applications are accepted at any time, but consideration of an application received after March 1st is influenced by the space available in the class and in the residence halls.

Marywood also encourages applications for admission from persons who have been away from formal education for an extended period and have decided to continue their education. Applications from these persons are welcome at any time and provide a basis for an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor to offer guidance.

Basic Items Required for an Application for Admission

Each person who wishes to enroll in an undergraduate degree program completes and submits to the Office of University Admissions a Marywood applica­tion for admission. A check or money order in the amount of the nonrefundable application fee, made payable to Marywood University, should accompany the appli­cation. Any fee waiver requests must be attached to the application in lieu of the required fee. Applications submitted online do not require an application fee. In addition, the candidate is responsible for the submission of the following to the Office of University Admissions:

• An official transcript which reflects all course work in which a person has enrolled in secondary school and/or in a postsecondary institution. The secondary school transcript should indicate the person's rank in class, if available.
• One letter of recommendation from a candidate's guidance counselor. We also welcome a letter from a teacher, friend, family member or a person familiar with the candidate's background/work.
• Official scores from the College Board's SAT or from the American College Testing Program's ACT. The candidate should take the SAT or the ACT in the spring of the junior year and/or in the autumn/winter of the senior year. Test scores should be sent directly to Marywood University by the testing agency.
• An official report of the scores from the General Education Development Test (GED), if applicable.

If the primary language of the candidate is not English and previous formal education was not in English, and official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required.

Candidates are invited to visit the campus. An admission interview is not required, but is strongly encouraged because it provides a special opportunity to explore the candidate's interests and the University's programs, as well as view Marywood's facilities and learn about student life and academic support services.

Academic Preparation and Assessment of Other Special Talents

Candidates for admission should demonstrate reasonable progress toward graduation in an accredited secondary school, have graduated from a secondary school, or offer evidence of a level of knowledge equivalent to a secondary education.

Each candidate should show satisfactory academic preparation in 16 units of subject matter:

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of social studies
• 2 units of mathematics
• 1 unit of science with laboratory
• 6 additional units to fulfill graduation requirements

In addition to fulfilling general admission requirements, candidates for admission to a degree program in Architecture, Art, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Education, Music, Nursing, and pre-Physician Assistant must meet special standards established by each department or program. Prior to enrollment in the Departments of Music or Art, candidates are required to audition on a major instrument or to present an art portfolio. The Office of University Admissions can provide information about these special requirements. Candidates should contact the chairperson of the appropriate departments directly early in the admission process.

For certain programs, candidates without the recommended distribution of units may be eligible for admission if their course work as a whole and the results of their tests offer evidence of a good foundation for work at the undergraduate level. Candidates who are deficient in required course work may complete appropriate work during the summer or the first year in the University.

Early Admission

Under Marywood's Early Admission Plan, well-qualified students may enroll in the University after the completion of their junior year of high school if they have completed all the high school units required for admission and offer evidence of the maturity necessary to perform well in a university environment. A candidate must have the recommendation of the secondary school principal.

Enrollment with a Limited Academic Schedule

Candidates who do not meet all admission requirements may be offered admission provided they initially enroll in a limited number of academic courses. The Committee on Admissions may recommend a program, which encourages the students to concentrate on the enrichment of academic skills and study habits. Special academic advisors are assigned to assist these persons. Persons in this group enroll for no more than twelve to fourteen credits during their first semester.

Project GREAT
(Gradual Re-entry for Adults in Transition)

Marywood welcomes adults who have been away from formal education for a few years. For many in this group, life experiences reflecting a high level of motivation and personal success may be better predictors of academic success than are high school records. Project GREAT provides orientation programs and support for mature learners, including the development of part-time academic schedules, with day and/or evening classes.

Deferred Enrollment

Candidates offered admission who, for reasons of travel or work, wish to defer enrollment for one or two semesters, should notify in writing the Director of University Admissions of their intentions on or before May 1 or another designated reply date, depending upon the semester of enrollment. Students requesting a deferral beyond one year, or who have previously had their application deferred from another semester, will be required to submit a new application.

Transferring from Another College

A student who demonstrates satisfactory academic performance at another college or university may apply for admission as a transfer student. Academic courses presented for transfer should be equivalent to courses required by the programs of study at Marywood. A student must earn a minimum of 60 credits at Marywood University; ordinarily at least one-half of the credits required for a major must also be earned at Marywood. Persons interested in particular academic departments should read about programs and policies in the appropriate sections in this catalog.

A candidate for admission as a transfer student is responsible for the submission of the following items to the Office of University Admissions in order to complete an application for admission:

• An application form with the appropriate fee (free for online filers),
• An official high school transcript, 
• Official transcripts from ALL colleges or universities that the candidate has attended, 
• At least one letter of recommendation,
• An official score report from the General Education Development Test (GED), if applicable,

If the primary language of the candidate is not English and previous formal education was not in English, and official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required.

International Student Admission

Prospective students who are citizens of other countries, whether they are or have been enrolled in a school in the United States or abroad, are welcome at Marywood and should contact the Office of University Admissions for special guidance. International candidates are required to meet the academic standards for admission, demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language, and submit documentation of sufficient funds to cover educational and living expenses for the duration of study.

To certify English proficiency, candidates whose primary language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit to Marywood an official report of test results. Information about the examination may be obtained by contacting:

TOEFL Services Educational Testing System P.O. Box 6151 Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA Phone: 1-609-771-7100 Fax: 1-609-290-8972 Web: www.TOEFL.org

IELTS International 100 East Corson Street, Suite 200 Pasadena, CA 91130, USA Phone: 1-626-564-2954 Fax: 1-626-564-2981 Web: www.IELTS.org Email: ielts@ieltsintl.org

Additionally, international applicants must submit transcripts of all college-level coursework that has been completed and other documentation as required to support the application. Marywood conducts an English As A Second Language Program (E.S.L.) to assist those whose first language is not English.

International Baccalaureate

Marywood University recognizes the strength and diversity of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and accords special consideration for students presenting IB Credentials, on an individual basis. To receive University credit, students who take the higher-level IB examinations must request that their scores be sent to Marywood University. Upon receipt of the scores, an evaluation for credit will be performed. Students will be notified in writing of the results of that evaluation.

Final Transcripts

Admitted freshmen must submit a final high school transcript following their completion of all high school course work prior to the start of the fall semester. Admitted transfer students currently enrolled in classes at another institution at the time of acceptance must submit a final transcript showing grades assigned. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from Marywood.

Acceptance to Marywood is based upon information contained in transcripts and other materials accompanying the application. If transcripts are submitted following acceptance (final high school or college transcripts), and those transcripts show academic achievement below the achievement the original acceptance was based upon, Marywood University reserves the right to modify or revoke the offer of acceptance. Any fees paid to date will be non-refundable.

Special Opportunities

Reserve Officer Training Programs (ROTC)

Marywood University students can participate in the Army or Air Force Reserve Officers Training Programs sponsored by local institutions. The Army ROTC program is offered to Marywood students usually through the Military Science Department at the University of Scranton. Air Force ROTC is available through Wilkes University. There are significant scholarship opportunities for students who choose to participate in ROTC programs. There is also leadership training, worldwide adventure opportunity and the career path to commissioning as a military officer. Students desiring more information should contact the program of their choice directly.

Momentum: An Opportunity for High School Students to Accelerate

Momentum is a special college acceleration program that provides qualified high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to earn college credits and experience college life while completing requirements for high school graduation.

Students may choose from a wide range of undergraduate courses. These courses are offered at a reduced tuition rate and may be available on campus or online.

Students must be in the top half of their class, meet minimum QPA requirements and submit the following:

• completed application form
• official high school transcript 
• recommendation from guidance counselor and appropriate teacher.

Contact the Office of University Admissions for further information at 1-86-MARYWOOD.

Music Lessons

Normally one-half hour music lessons per week are given for one credit. These lessons cost an additional fee per half hour per semester if credit is earned.