Students are admitted to Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania for the fall semester, spring semester, or a summer term. The university calendar should be consulted for specific starting dates. Applicants are considered for admission
on a rolling basis. Criteria and deadlines used to determine admission to
the university are defined by an applicant’s admission category. Admission to the university may be subject to space availability and criteria used for admission to the university are subject to change.

Freshmen Applicants

Any high school graduate (or anyone who will be a high school graduate prior to attendance) or anyone who has passed the General Educational Development test (GED) who has not yet enrolled at a college, university, or other post secondary educational institution and intends to enroll at Slippery Rock University to pursue a degree granting program shall apply for admission as a new freshman. Students who enroll in dual-enrollment college credit programs prior to high school graduation are still considered new freshmen students.

Admission Guidelines for New Freshmen

New freshmen are admitted to Slippery Rock University on a rolling basis for all terms. Admission criteria used to evaluate an applicant usually include the student’s previous academic record and standardized test scores. Admission guidelines are based upon the academic profiles of previously successful students. First-time, full-time students (new freshmen) who succeed most often at Slippery Rock possess a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in high school as well as SAT or ACT scores that are above average at the time of admission. Other students who apply may be asked to supply additional information and may be considered for admission on an individual basis using a Waitlist process. Additional admission criteria for applicants on the Waitlist may include: high school course rigor, grade trends, grades in core college preparatory courses, class rank, service and leadership, special talent, essay quality and letters of recommendation. Waitlisted applicants are offered admission on a rolling, space available basis and applicants closest to the academic and standardized test admission guidelines are offered admission most frequently.

Slippery Rock University recommends that entering freshmen complete a college preparatory curriculum in high school consisting of four years of English; four years of social studies; three years of science with two years laboratory science; three years of mathematics with a fourth year recommended, including algebra one, algebra two and geometry; and two years of the same foreign language.

How to Apply for Admission as a New Freshman

Applicants need to supply the following credentials to apply for admission:

• A completed Application for Admission (admission applications are available through the Office of Admissions and via the web at www.sru.edu)
  
• A $ 25.00 application fee (non-refundable)
  
• Official high school transcripts or GED, and senior year (12th Grade) class schedule if enrolled in high school

Official transcripts are those that either 1) are sent directly from the school to Slippery Rock University’s Office of Admissions, or 2) are delivered to Slippery Rock University’s Office of Admissions in a sealed envelope from the school. No other transcripts will be considered official. Transcripts should reflect all grades up through the end of the junior year (six completed semesters). Final official high school transcripts documenting graduation from high school will be required upon graduation prior to the start of the initial semester of enrollment. Failure to document high school graduation will result in the revocation of admission.

Slippery Rock University recommends that official transcripts include a student’s complete curricular and grading history, semester and cumulative grade/quality point averages (both weighted and un-weighted if weighting is practiced), and class rank if calculated. If the high school uses a percentage grading scale, any conversion guide to a 4.0 scale is also recommended. Home schooled students should supply transcripts of home school curriculum as well as any previous high school transcripts if applicable.

If an applicant is submitting a GED rather than a high school diploma, the GED documentation must be a copy of the diploma and include the official test results.

Slippery Rock University accepts either the SAT or ACT for the purposes of an admission decision. SAT or ACT scores are required for admission consideration for current high school students, home schooled students, or students who graduated from high school less than 2 years ago. Adult students who graduated from high school more than two years ago are not required to submit standardized test scores. Official SAT or ACT scores are results that arrive at the Slippery Rock University Office of Admissions either 1) electronically directly from the testing agency, 2) directly from the high school records office, or 3) delivered on hard copy to the Slippery Rock University Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency.

Credentials should be directed to the Office of Admissions at Slippery Rock University. Once all credentials are received, Slippery Rock University admits new freshmen on a rolling basis for all terms. Applicants will either be offered admission or placed on a Waitlist. Once capacity is reached, the admission of new freshmen students is restricted, and any Waitlist applications not acted upon will be denied admission. The date that new freshmen student admission is restricted is subject to change. Applicants who are offered admission must reply to Slippery Rock to accept their offers of admission, along with remitting an orientation deposit, before they are considered admitted. Admission offers not acted upon are subject to rescission once enrollment capacity is reached. New freshmen students seeking admission for the fall semester are encouraged to apply beginning the preceding August and not later than the preceding April.

Freshman admission is valid for the term it is offered, or any subsequent term for not later than one academic year, defined as starting in summer and ending with the spring semester. Students wishing to defer admission should contact the Office of Admissions.

Freshmen Residence Requirement

All new freshmen are required to live on campus. Freshmen students living with their parents or legal guardian within a reasonable commuting distance may request a release from this requirement in order to commute from home. The Residence Life Housing Appeals Board will review all written requests for this exception.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are students who have graduated from high school and have subsequently enrolled in coursework at another college, university, or other type of post-secondary institution without completing a baccalaureate degree and intend to enroll at Slippery Rock University to pursue a degree- granting program. High School students who complete post-secondary coursework prior to their high school graduation are considered new freshmen. Transfer students must be in good standing and eligible to return to the last institution attended in order to receive an offer admission to Slippery Rock University. Transfer applicants who receive offers of admission generally possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale from all institutions attended. Students who were suspended or dismissed from Slippery Rock University and subsequently attend another institution do not apply for transfer admission. These students should consult the appropriate college dean’s office.

Students who plan to transfer to Slippery Rock University must apply for admission to the university by submitting the following credentials to the Office of Admission:

• A completed Application for Admission (admission applications are available through the Office of Admission and via the web at www.sru.edu)
  
• Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.
  
• Official high school transcripts are required if the student will not hold an associate degree at the time of enrollment at the university or has not completed 60 semester hours of enrollment at the time of application. Students who hold a GED and not a high school diploma, should submit:
  
• Official High School transcript, that delineates completed coursework, and
  
• Official copy of the GED test scores.
  

A qualified student who is enrolled at another institution at the time of application to Slippery Rock University may be granted conditional admission until all current coursework is successfully completed and final official transcripts are submitted to the Office of Admissions.

How Are Transfer Credits Evaluated?
An unofficial evaluation of credits earned at post-secondary institution is provided upon request. An official evaluation is provided when a student accepts the offer of admission. Courses, in which grades of C- and higher are earned, are accepted in transfer provided the student meets all regular admission requirements. Students who qualify for the Academic Passport program may be allowed to transfer credits for which a D grade has been earned (see Academic Passport). A maximum of 67 semester credit hours will be considered for transfer from a two-year institution. The University will also maximize the number of transfer credits at 67 semester credit hours for students who last attended a two-year institution. There is no limit to the number of credit hours a student may transfer from a baccalaureate degree granting college or university; however, students are subject to Slippery Rock University residency requirements.

To qualify for graduation a student must fulfill all Slippery Rock University academic requirements and complete the last 36 credits in residence at the university. To be considered for graduation with honors, students must earn a minimum of 61 credits at Slippery Rock University (see Honors at Graduation).

What is Academic Passport?

The Academic Passport is a transfer program designed to facilitate the transfer of students from Pennsylvania community colleges to State System of Higher Education universities, and to support the transfer of undergraduate credits earned by students at other State System of Higher Education universities. Students who meet the established criteria will be granted an Academic Passport that guarantees admission to the university and the fullest consideration of transfer credits.

Academic Passport Criteria and Privileges
Students transferring with an Associate Degree

• Students who have earned a Pennsylvania community college Associate in Arts (AA), or an Associate in Science (AS) degree, which has a liberal arts component of a minimum of 30 credits, will be granted an Academic Passport and will be guaranteed admission to the university if the student has earned a minimum QPA of 2.000 from all institutions attended. The student must apply for admission in accordance with the established university policy on admission.
  
• Guaranteed admission to the university through Academic Passport does not necessarily guarantee admission to specific academic programs. Some academic majors may require higher admission standards than the Academic Passport requirement.
  
• For those students holding the appropriate associate degree, the letter grades of “D” or above are acceptable to the university. Some academic majors may require that the letter grade of “C” or above be earned for specific course-work.
  
• Students must meet all of the established program admission standards required of all Slippery Rock University students.
  
• In the acceptance and application of transfer credits for students holding an Academic Passport, the university will strive to apply all credits (to a maximum of 67 of the credit hours for the baccalaureate degree) earned at the community college level toward the completion of the baccalaureate degree. Up to a maximum of 45 credits earned at the sending institution shall be used to meet liberal studies. In certain circumstances, such as a change in major or intended program of study, it may not be possible to apply all credits earned at the community college.

Students Transferring From Other State System of Higher Education Universities

• Students transferring from other State System of Higher Education universities who have attained a 2.000 QPA or higher in a minimum of 12 credit hours of college level course-work and hold a minimum 2.000 QPA from all institutions attended hold an Academic Passport and are guaranteed admission to the university.
  
• Guaranteed admission to the university through Academic Passport does not necessarily guarantee admission to specific academic programs. Some academic majors may require higher admission standards than the Academic Passport requirement.
  
• For those students holding the Academic Passport, the letter grades of “D” or above are acceptable to the university. Some academic majors may require that the letter grade of “C” or above be earned for specific course-work.
  
• Academic Passport students must meet all of the established program admission standards required of indigenous students.
  
• In the acceptance and application of transfer credits for students holding an Academic Passport, the university will strive to apply all credits to the completion of the baccalaureate degree. In certain circumstances, such as a change in major or intended program of study, it may not be possible to apply all credits earned.

Transfer students are reminded that only the credits, not the grades, earned at other colleges/universities are accepted in transfer by Slippery Rock University. Transferred credits do not affect a student’s Slippery Rock University Quality Point Average, which is based only on credits completed at Slippery Rock University.

Transfer students must list all institutions previously attended on their application for admission and submit official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions regardless of the dates/time in attendance. Failure to do so may lead to withdrawal of admission status and/or dismissal from the university. In addition, students failing to list coursework from other colleges will not be permitted to petition for the acceptance of these transfer credits after they have been admitted or readmitted to the university.

Due to the logistics of obtaining transcripts from other educational institutions, and the time required to evaluate previous course work, prospective transfer students are strongly encouraged to apply for admission and request the required credentials as soon as possible, and not later than one month prior to the first day of classes for the term they wish to begin enrollment.

Post Baccalaureate Students

Students who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree from an approved institution may qualify for admission to earn additional undergraduate credit beyond their degree (see same title in College of Education).

Students interested in post-baccalaureate study may take course work for self-enrichment or may earn a second degree or academic certificate. Students pursuing an additional degree must earn a minimum of 36 credits at SRU beyond their first baccalaureate degree and meet all department requirements for the degree in that department.

Post-baccalaureate students may not enroll at SRU to add a second major, minor, or other academic credentials to their undergraduate degree without meeting all requirements for a second degree.

Students interested in pursuing post-baccalaureate admission should contact the university’s Office of Undergraduate Admission at 1-800-929-4778.

Admission Guidelines for Post Baccalaureate students seeking a second degree or teacher certification
A baccalaureate degree awarded from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required. Certain programs, such as teacher certification and nursing programs, require applicants to meet additional or more stringent admission criteria, including minimum Quality Point Average requirements. Interested applicants should contact those college or department offices for admission guideline information prior to applying for admission. Post Baccalaureate students seeking to earn a second degree and/or teacher certification may be eligible for financial aid, and should contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

How to apply for admission as a Post Baccalaureate student seeking a second degree or teacher certification
Applicants need to supply the following credentials to apply for admission:

• A completed Post Baccalaureate Application for Admission
  
• A $ 25.00 application fee (non-refundable)
  
• Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, or other post-secondary educational institutions attended.
  
• Other program specific documentation may be required. Contact the Office of Admissions or see the Post Baccalaureate Application for Admission for further information.

These credentials should be sent to the Slippery Rock University Office of Admissions. The application process for teacher certification and nursing programs may require additional application credentials. Generally, for non-selective/non-teacher certification degree programs, most students who successfully graduate from a college or university are offered admission.

Due to the logistics of obtaining transcripts from other educational institutions, and the time required to evaluate previous course work, prospective post baccalaureate students seeking a second degree or teacher certification are strongly encouraged to apply for admission and request the required credentials as soon as possible, and not later than one month prior to the first day of classes for the term they wish to begin enrollment.

Admission Guidelines for Post Baccalaureate students seeking to enroll for enrichment
Individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university may seek to enroll in a course, or courses, for personal enrichment, preparation for graduate study or examination, or ACT 48 credit. Slippery Rock University welcomes these students on a space available basis.

How to apply for admission as a Post Baccalaureate student seeking to enroll for enrichment
Applicants need to supply the following credentials to apply for admission:

• A completed Post Baccalaureate Application for Admission
  
• Official transcripts from the accredited college, university, or other post-secondary educational institution that awarded the baccalaureate degree. Other transcripts are not required for admission but may be necessary to support individual course prerequisites.
  
• Current teachers are required to submit a copy of a valid teaching certificate in place of transcripts when applying for ACT 48 credit.
  
• Applicants should see the Post Baccalaureate Application for Admission for information regarding the $ 25.00 application fee (non-refundable)

Special Student Admission

A special student is a student who does not possess a baccalaureate degree and wishes to enroll for undergraduate level credit coursework at Slippery Rock University for enrichment who does not intend to use the course work toward a degree program at an institution of higher education. Special student non-degree admission is valid for one semester at a time. Students who wish to enroll as special students may reapply for admission for subsequent terms until a maximum of 30 semester hours have been completed, at which time further enrollment is precluded in the special student non-degree status. Special students are not eligible for financial aid.

Admission Guidelines for Special Student Admission
A special student must be high school graduate or have a GED to enroll. Special student applicants sign a statement on the application for admission to that extent and have one semester of attendance to supply proof of high school graduation (generally either a high school transcript or GED). The Slippery Rock University Fast Track Program also offers admission as special students to qualified high school students seeking to enroll at the University prior to high school graduation. Students interested in the Fast Track program should contact the Office of Admissions directly for more information, and to schedule a meeting to discuss the Fast Track application process.

How to apply for Admission as a Non-Degree Student
Applicants need to supply the following credentials to apply for admission:

• A completed Special Student (non-degree) Application for Admission
  
• Special student applicants pay no application fee
  
• Official high school transcripts with a graduation date posted (or GED) are required during the term of enrollment. Other credentials may be appropriate for special Slippery Rock University programs. Other transcripts may be required to meet specific course prerequisites.

Special students must enroll and make payment by registration and fee payment deadlines as published in the Class Schedule for the term in which they wish to enroll.

Transient Students

Any current undergraduate student from another regionally accredited institution of higher education who wishes to enroll for one semester at Slippery Rock University for credit course work while pursuing a degree program at their home college or university may apply for admission as a transient student. Transient students enroll for one semester at Slippery Rock with the intent of returning to their home institution to pursue their degree.

How to apply for Admission as a Transient Student
Applicants need to supply the following criteria to apply for admission:

• A completed Non-Degree Application for Admission with transient status requested or summer school transient application
  
• Generally no other documentation is required, although transient students are strongly encouraged to review their transient attendance and course selection with their academic advisor at their home school. Other transcripts may be required to meet specific course prerequisites.

Contact the Office of Academic Records and Summer School for this information.
Transient students must enroll and make payment by registration and fee payment deadlines as published in the Class Schedule for the term in which they wish to enroll.
Transient students are admitted through the Office of Admissions for fall and spring semester, and admitted through the Office of Academic Records and Summer School for summer semester.

Visiting Students

Any current undergraduate student from one of the other 13 member universities of the State System of Higher Education in Pennsylvania that wishes to enroll for one semester at Slippery Rock University for credit course work while pursuing a degree program at their home college or university may apply for admission as a visiting student rather than a transient student. Visiting students enroll for one semester at Slippery Rock University with the intent of returning to their home institution to pursue their degree. Eligible students should contact the academic records office at their home institution to review visiting student grading policies prior to enrolling as a visiting student at Slippery Rock.

How to apply for Admission as a Visiting Student
Applicants need to supply the following credentials to apply for admission:

• A completed Visiting Student Application for Admission

Visiting students must enroll and make payment by registration and fee payment deadlines as published in the Class Schedule for the term in which they wish to enroll.

Visiting students are admitted through the Office of Admission; however, application forms are to be routed through the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

Faxed Transcripts/Documents
Transcripts and documents faxed to Slippery Rock University on behalf of students may be accepted unofficially for the purpose of making a temporary admission decision. No final decision will be made pertaining to acceptance to the university or acceptance of transfer credit until the university receives the official documents.

Note: All credentials submitted to Slippery Rock University become the property of Slippery Rock University and will not be returned to the student or forwarded to third parties.

Student Right-to-Know and the Clery Act
Notification of Availability of Student Consumer Information (Clery Act) including:

• Annual Security Report
  
• Freshman and scholarship athlete graduation rates
  
• Students’ Rights of Privacy (FERPA)
  
• Other information of importance to students

Slippery Rock University’s Annual Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occured on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Slippery Rock University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.

You can obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report at the following website: www.sru.edu.pages/1406.asp or by contacting the Office of University Police at 724-738-3333.

You may access the University’s Student Consumer Website at www.sru.edu/pages/1257.asp or by contacting the Office of Academic Records and Summer School at 724-738-2010.

International Students

Slippery Rock University actively seeks international students to provide diversity to its student population. Diversity expands the cultural awareness of students and others. The number of students admitted from individual countries may be limited to ensure a balanced representation of cultures. To be considered for admission, the following credentials must be submitted to the Office of International Initiatives:

• Completed application for admission for international students.
  
• Official certified true copies in English of all secondary and post-secondary school transcripts that show year-by-year listing of courses, grades earned for each course, and credits earned for each course.
  
• Official certified true copies in English of all secondary and post-secondary school certificates, diplomas, degrees, and examination results.
  
• Proof of English language proficiency. This usually is determined by a score of 500 (paper test) or 173 (computer based test) or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or by proficiency at the 109 level or better from one of the ELS (English Language Schools) language centers in the United States.
  
• Verification of applicant’s ability to meet educational costs. Financial status is not used to determine academic qualification for admission to the university but must be verified to satisfy the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service requirements.

The deadline for submission of all application and supporting credentials is May 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. New international students are not admitted for summer terms. All applicants are considered automatically for financial aid.

For an application packet or further information, please contact the Office of International Initiatives or e-mail kelly.slogar@sru.edu