Admission

Enrollment Prior to Admission

• A student may apply to enroll as a non-degree seeking student in up to three courses (9 semester hours of coursework) prior to seeking admission to a Lakeland degree program or major. This does not include dual credit courses taken through Lakeland’s Concurrent Academic Progress Program (CAPP) completed at the high school level or specific non-degree programs Lakeland offers.
• Before enrolling in coursework that would exceed nine (9) semester hours, a student must seek admission to a degree program or major at Lakeland.
• Approval from the Registrar or his/her delegate is required if non-degree-seeking students wish to exceed this limit in order to meet external requirements for certification or are not a specialized program participant. Students should submit requests to the Registrar’s Office and specify the plan for completing the certification requirements or additional coursework outside of a degree program.

Criteria for Admission

While no single factor determines an applicant’s successful admission to Lakeland, the university seeks high school graduates with a cumulative grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. This GPA, standardized test scores (either ACT or SAT), a personal statement, and a school counselor recommendation are all considered when admission decisions are made.

The university also accepts transfer students who have earned at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and are in good standing at other accredited institutions of higher learning.

Exceptions to the above admission criteria may be justified by personal recommendations or other documented evidence of probable academic success at Lakeland. Admission exceptions are made by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Students are conditionally accepted and will have probationary status for their first semester (see policy on Academic Probation and Suspension ). Probationary status will include conditions set by the Director of the Hayssen Academic Resource Center.

Policy on Non-Discrimination

Lakeland University provides equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to sex, race, age, religion, national origin, marital/parental status, or handicap. All equal opportunity questions should be referred to the university’s President. Lakeland University is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Application for Admission

When applying for admission to the university, students are asked to submit the following credentials to the Office of Admissions:

1. An Application for Admission. (Note: An Application for Admission may be submitted at any time after the successful completion of the junior year of secondary school.)
2. An official high school transcript.
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges or universities, if any.
4. Military transcripts, if applicable.
5. American College Test (ACT) scores or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores.
6. Evidence of English proficiency. This may be demonstrated by completion of a high school degree or equivalency in English, or an earned minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of transferable post-secondary coursework taught in English. If the applicant does not have evidence of English proficiency, refer to the information outlined in the international student admission section under letter a. below.

Decisions are made on applications files after the conclusion of the applicant’s junior year and prior to the intended enrollment year. Applicants are notified promptly by the admissions office. Following acceptance, students intending to enroll are required to submit a $100.00 non-refundable commitment fee.

International students are required to follow steps 1 through 3. Foreign university transcripts must be accompanied by an official course-by-course evaluation of all academic coursework translated in English. Approved foreign credential evaluation organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators (ece.org) and World Educational Services (wes.org) can be used for evaluation purposes. The course-by-course evaluation, English translation, and official transcripts are required as part of the admission process. The evaluation must include cumulative GPA. The evaluation can take several weeks to complete, so please plan accordingly. Submission of ACT or SAT scores is not required.

In addition, international students applying for admission must also:

a.  Submit, if their native or first language is not English, proof of English proficiency as demonstrated by one of the following:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - minimum score of 500 on the paper-based test or 61 on the internet based TOEFL (iBT) is required. Under certain circumstances, international students who complete the language preparation of the college’s own English Language Institute may be admitted with scores less than 500. TOEFL scores must be no more than two years old at the time of application;
• IETLS - minimum score of 6.0;
• Successful completion of ELS English for Academic Purposes Level 112;
• Documentation from WESLI, MESLS, or other approved English Language School with which Lakeland University has an official agreement;
• Acceptable GCE Ordinary or Advanced Level results or acceptable WAEC test results.

b.  Provide financial documentation (certification of finances) that shows the student’s ability to pay for college and living expenses while studying and residing in the United States.

Note: Upon receipt of the commitment fee and completed housing and health forms, international students will be sent the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) form required to obtain a student F-1 visa.

Aspire Program

Students who do not meet the stated admission requirements but whose academic records reveal significant potential for academic success, may be invited to apply for entry into Lakeland’s Aspire Program. The Aspire Program admits a small number of students each year and provides them additional support for the transition to collegiate expectations through GEN 103 - College Success Seminar , a course designed to strengthen study skills, provide career exploration opportunities, and personal mentoring. Students invited to apply for the Aspire Program are asked to submit an additional statement of interest and participate in an interview with members of the university’s admissions, academic affairs, and student affairs teams. 

Students admitted to the Aspire Program must enroll in GEN 103  and must limit their enrollment to no more than 15 semester hours in their first full-time semester at Lakeland. They must also pass at least 9 semester hours and earn a 1.75 term GPA or higher in their first semester of Lakeland coursework. Failure to meet these expectations may result in suspension.