Admission and Enrollment

Enrollment Options

The University of Mary Washington offers a number of different enrollment options. Each is designed to meet the needs of a particular student population. All of the University’s degree programs may be pursued on either a full-time or part-time basis.

The University’s College of Arts and Sciences, which is located on the Fredericksburg campus, offers undergraduate degree programs and course work in the liberal arts and sciences. Most students are enrolled in the traditional Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs. Students may enter these programs as freshmen, usually immediately following the completion of high school, or as transfer students from other two-year or four-year colleges or universities.

Students interested in programs offered by the College of Business or the College of Education enroll initially as students in the Arts and Sciences college and then later apply for admission to either a Business or Education program.  See the specific sections in this Catalog under College of Business or College of
Education for further details.

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program offers a flexible degree option specifically designed to meet the needs of adult students who have substantial college experience and want to complete a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts or sciences.

Non-degree-seeking students are those who do not necessarily wish to earn a degree from the University of Mary Washington but who enroll in limited course work to satisfy particular needs or for general interest. The nondegree enrollment process is much simpler and less formal than that for degree programs. Individuals may enroll on a space-available basis as non-degreeseekingstudents for the regular session or the summer term.

The general enrollment procedures for each program are described in the following sections. Anyone considering applying to the University should consult the most recent publications of the particular program or contact the appropriate office for more information.

Admission To The Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.) Or Bachelor Of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs

Admission to the B.A. or B.S. programs is competitive. Candidates for admission should present evidence of sound academic preparation including solid  performance in a challenging academic program. Standardized test scores, extra-curricular activities, essays, and other factors such as recommendations
are also considered. The Admissions Committee offers admission to those candidates who present the strongest overall credentials in the particular applicant pool.

To be admitted as a degree-seeking student in the B.A. or B.S. programs, an individual must submit an application, official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary schools attended, and results of the SAT or ACT. The University of Mary Washington uses the Common Application exclusively. Non-U.S.  citizens also must submit the international supplement for admission and, if English is not the primary language, official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In lieu of the TOEFL, International students may also demonstrate English proficiency by completing Level 112 offered by ELS Educational Services.

Admission Following High School

A student who wishes to enter Mary Washington as a freshman immediately after graduating from high school should submit the Common Application  including the UMW supplement, along with the non-refundable application fee or an official fee-waiver form approved by a high school official.  High school transcripts should be submitted directly to the University from the school. The applicant should also request that results of the SAT, ACT, or any other  standardized tests be sent directly to the Office of Admissions at the University of Mary Washington.

High School Preparation. Each applicant must have graduated from an accredited secondary school or the equivalent with credit for at least 16 academic courses emphasizing college preparatory work.

Although the University does not require specific courses for admission, successful applicants usually have completed four years of English, three or more years of mathematics (including Algebra II), three or more years of laboratory sciences, three or more years of social sciences, and at least three years of one foreign language or two years each of two foreign languages.  In addition to the core academic courses, elective credits earned in subjects such as art, computer science, drama, journalism, and music are appropriate.The University strongly recommends that candidates for admission pursue advanced, honors, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge courses when appropriate. To ensure success at the  University of Mary Washington, the senior year in high school is extremely important. Applicants should enroll in core academic subjects such as English, mathematics, laboratory sciences, social studies, and foreign language through the final term of high school.

Character, Personality, and Interests. The University welcomes recommendations from appropriate school officials. The recommendations should assess academic potential as well as character, personality, or interests.  Activities that reflect leadership or intellectual interests are significant if they  reinforce sound academic achievement. Since the University of Mary Washington operates under an honor system, assurance of personal integrity is essential.

Standardized Tests. Students applying for admission immediately following high school must submit official results of the College Board’s SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. Tests should be taken no later than January of the senior year of high school. Admission Plans. Students applying for admission as freshmen may be considered under one of the following two plans:

Early Action. Students with exceptionally strong academic records who submit their applications by November 15 will be considered for early notification of their admission. The Committee will admit students under the Early Action plan on the basis of outstanding high school performance and standardized test scores. Students who receive Early Action admission will be notified by late January but need not make a commitment to attend the University until May 1.

Regular Admission. Most applicants will be considered for admission under the Regular Admission plan. All freshman applications for fall semester admission should be submitted by February 1; applicants who meet this suggested filing date will be notified of the admission decision by April 1.  Applications filed after February 1 will be considered as space permits. Various deadlines concerning final transcripts, deposits, and medical examinations
occur following the offer of admission. All students accepted for admission will be sent the necessary information concerning these requirements. The University adheres to the May 1 National Candidates’ Reply Date.

Deferred Enrollment. Accepted applicants may ask the University for the option of deferring enrollment for up to two consecutive semesters by notifying the Office of Admissions in writing. Any deposits paid by students who defer enrollment are held as a credit until the student matriculates.  In cases involving military deployment, mobilization, or change in duty assignment, accepted applicants may request to extend the enrollment deferment for longer than two consecutive semesters. Any such requests will be considered on an individual basis. A copy of the person’s military orders must be provided to the Office of Admissions to support such a request. Any accepted applicant who is eventually unable to matriculate to the University of Mary Washington because of  military service will have any deposits fully refunded. Those who are granted deferred enrollment are subject to rules, regulations, and financial charges in effect when they actually matriculate.  Students who enroll at another institution before enrolling at the University of Mary Washington may not defer and must reapply for admission.

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge.  Students may apply for college credit through the examinations in various academic subjects given by the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board and through the International Baccalaureate examinations. The completed IB Diploma will earn a minimum of 15 credits. Prospective students may consult the University website or contact the Office of Admissions to request  information on those AP and IB examination scores required for credit in particular subject areas. To apply for credit, students must have official examination results forwarded to the Registrar at the University before matriculation. The University of Mary Washington’s CEEB code is 5398.  Cambridge courses are evaluated by student request on an individual basis for college credit.

Dual Enrollment. Students earning college credit through dual enrollment while still in high school will have their credits evaluated for possible application toward degree requirements at the University of Mary Washington. Students participating in dual enrollment programs are considered as  freshman applicants. Only official transcripts sent directly to Mary Washington from the credit-granting college or university will be evaluated for the awarding of dual enrollment or transfer credit.

Admission BEFORE High School Graduation

On occasion, the University allows students with exceptional ability to enroll prior to graduating from high school. Three arrangements cover most circumstances: admission to the summer session; admission to part-time study during the regular session; or admission after the junior year. Details are available from the Office of Admissions or the Office of Academic Services.

Admission As a Transfer Student

The Transfer Admission Process. Prospective B.A. or B.S. program transfer students should submit the Common Application, supplement and the non-refundable application fee as early as possible.  Transfer applicants must arrange for their secondary schools and all post-secondary schools attended to send official transcripts to the University of Mary Washington. Standardized tests are not required for applicants who have completed at least 30 transferable credits (semester hours) at an accredited post-secondary institution. The University should receive all materials by March 1 for the summer session, April 1 for the fall semester, and by November 1 for the spring semester. After these dates, the Admissions Committee will consider applications as space permits. The Admissions Committee considers all aspects of the record in deciding whether or not to admit a transfer candidate. Factors considered in the selection process for transfer students include the application for admission, transcripts of all college work, high school transcripts, and standardized test scores. The admissions committee will place particular emphasis on the student’s academic program and record of academic achievement in post-secondary course work. Candidates may be considered for transfer admission only if they are in good standing at the last institution they attended. This includes academic or social probation or suspension as well as satisfactory financial standing. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the College of Business or the College of Education.

Transfer Credit. Previous college course work will be evaluated for transfer credit following an offer of admission. As a rule, transfer credit is granted for courses of the same type, on the same level, and taught under the same guidelines as courses offered by the University of Mary Washington.  Courses for which a student requests transfer credit must have a minimum grade of “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and must not overlap or repeat those which the student takes at the University. No credit will be awarded for courses taken on a pass/fail basis (except physical education courses when grades are not given), prior to matriculation. Transfer applicants should have official transcripts from other institutions sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Applicants also may be asked to provide a catalog or course descriptions for evaluating their credits.  In order to receive transfer credit, students must submit official transcripts by deadline dates specified in the Dictionary of Academic Regulations.

Virginia State Policy On Transfer

Admission Criteria. The University of Mary Washington is committed to enrolling transfer students from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Richard Bland College. Admission priority is extended to students who have completed specific Associate of Arts, of Science, or of Arts and Science degrees. Preference is also given to students from the local area. Admission to Mary Washington is competitive and the availability of transfer spaces varies from semester to semester. Admission criteria for applicants to the Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program specified below are different from those for the BA and BS; however, such applicants also are encouraged to complete an associate degree.

Acceptance and Application of Credits. Students who have earned a transfer associate degree (to include the General Studies degree only at certain approved VCCS campuses) prior to matriculating at Mary Washington will be considered to have attained junior status (60 or more credit hours) and usually to have met lower-division general education requirements, although additional speaking intensive, writing intensive, and foreign language courses may be required to meet the University’s complete general education program. The UMW Transfer Credit Guide, available on the University website (www.umw.edu), describes in detail the Virginia State Policy on Transfer and the University’s implementation of that policy.

Guaranteed Admission Agreement. The University of Mary Washington and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), recognizing the need to facilitate the transfer of students from the community college to UMW, have established a Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA). To be guaranteed admission to UMW, students must complete the requirements to become GAA students (graduation from a transfer-oriented degree program at a Virginia community college with a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher on a four-point scale with intent to transfer to the University of Mary Washington) and submit an official transcript showing completion of the associate degree to the UMW Admissions Office. In addition, GAA students must have earned a grade of “C” or higher in each community college course applicable to the transfer-oriented associate degree program. Students who were previously enrolled at UMW and transferred back to a VCCS college to complete the transfer-oriented associate degree are not eligible for participation in the GAA. VCCS students who do not meet the terms of the GAA may still be highly competitive applicants and are encouraged to apply through the regular transfer admissions process. The University of Mary Washington reserves the right to deny admission to students who have been suspended or dismissed, or to those convicted of a crime other than a traffic violation. A similar GAA also exists between UMW and Richard Bland College.

Admission To Bachelor Of Liberal Studies (BLS) Program

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) program is designed to meet the needs of non-traditional students who have some college experience and want to complete a bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts or sciences. A typical BLS student has at least one of the following characteristics: graduated from high school at least six years ago, is a veteran or active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, is married, has legal dependents, or is financially self supporting.  Students in the BLS program may choose from a multidisciplinary major in Leadership and Management, open only to students in the Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree program, any of the majors available to arts and sciences degree students or they may create a self-designed, interdisciplinary major (subject to approval by the Bachelor of Liberal Studies Committee).  To be admitted to the BLS program, applicants must have completed 30 transferable college credits with a minimum grade-point average of 2.5. A minimum of 15 of these credits should come from college courses taken at a regionally-accredited institution; nontraditional credits (for example, credits earned through the College Level Examination Program, credits for military experience or training, and credits documented by a life/work experience portfolio) are also accepted in transfer to the BLS program.  Students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer.  Prospective students should complete their applications by the established priority dates in order to allow for advanced course registration. Specific details and application dates are available in the current admission publications and on the University website. Applicants should submit an application, a nonrefundable application fee or official fee waiver, essays, documentation of high school completion or the equivalent of an associate degree, and official college transcripts from all institutions attended. Additionally, any standardized test scores or military course work transcripts may be sent to the Office of Admissions to be considered for academic credit.  Students who have registered for classes in the B.A. or B.S. program at UMW within the past calendar year and who have completed more than 30 credits at the University of Mary Washington may not enroll in the BLS program. The BLS degree requires 120 semester hours of course work for graduation distributed in three categories: general education, electives, and major. Courses that meet BLS Across-the-Curriculum requirements must be included in the student’s program of study. At least 30 credits must be taken at the University of Mary Washington after admission to the program. A cumulative GPA of 2.00 on all Mary Washington work is also required.

Admission As a Non-Degree-Seeking Student

Non-degree-seeking students are permitted to enroll in courses on either campus of the University of Mary Washington but are not matriculated in a degree program. An abbreviated application form is required. Admission decisions are made by the Registrar at the time of enrollment.  Non-degree-seeking students may register for as many as 11 credits per semester and pay tuition according to the number of enrolled credits. Under certain conditions, a non-degree-seeking student may seek permission from the designated university official to exceed the 11-credit limit. Non-degree students wishing to apply for admission to a UMW degree program must do so before completing 30 credits in residence.

Additional Requirements For International Students

In addition to the documents required for the admission process for each degree program, applicants who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents must submit the UMW International Student Application Supplement. The applicant must submit original academic records and, if those records are not in English, certified copies of the records translated into English. If the student has been educated in a non-English speaking country, all transcripts and documents must be submitted via an approved independent credentials evaluation service. If English is not the applicant’s native language, the University of Mary Washington requires the applicant to demonstrate English competency, normally by submitting results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or completing ELS Educational Services Level 112.

Visa Information. Non-U.S. citizens who are not permanent residents may need to obtain a student visa. To obtain a visa, a student must be accepted for admission, pay the deposit, and submit an Affidavit of Support. Once the Affidavit of Support is accepted by the University, the student is issued the I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant) to present to the U.S. consul or embassy in the country where the student will be issued an F-1 Visa to study in the United States. Students who are on F-1 Visas must carry a full-time course load while enrolled at the University.

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