Undergraduate 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 or other course offerings 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 may be granted by the VPAA for non-degree-seeking students who 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. A ruling will be provided if the student may proceed with enrollment.

Criteria for Admission

• No single factor determines an applicant’s successful admission to Lakeland; the university seeks learners who have earned (a) a high school diploma and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above or (b) the equivalent of a high school diploma.
• 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 education.
• Students who do not meet the stated admission requirements but whose academic records reveal significant potential for academic success may be accepted through the Qualified Admission process to Lakeland University.
• Note: Refer to the Nursing Program Student Handbook for admission and program policies for the nursing program.

Qualified Admission Policy

Students considered and approved as a qualified admission candidate will:

All undergraduate students:

• Meet attendance requirements for the class(es) the student is taking.
• Receive no grades of “F” for the first 15 semester hours of enrollment.
• Achieve a Lakeland University cumulative GPA of 1.75 or higher upon completion of the first 15 semester hours.
• Meet with an advisor a minimum of one time per semester during the first 15 semester hour period.
• If entering as a full-time student: limit enrollment to no more than 15 semester hours.

Undergraduate traditional campus students (Aspire Program):

• Also enroll in the GEN 103: College Success Seminar.

Upon completion of 15 semester hours:

• Students who successfully meet all criterion are fully admitted to Lakeland University OR
• Students who do not meet all criteria may be placed on probation, suspension, or denied full admission.
  • Note: Students who have not yet completed 15 semester hours continue with their qualified admission status and enrolment is limited to the amount of semester hours remaining up to 15.
  • Students who complete a full-time term (12 semester hours minimum) in good academic standing in their first term of enrollment may be considered for full admission during the satisfactory academic progress evaluation process at the end of that term

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 if an entering first-time freshman.) 

   • Students should remit the appropriate $35 admission fee (Lakeland Centers) or $100 commitment fee (traditional on-campus program participants) as called for in the application process. 

2. An official high school transcript.
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges or universities, if any.
   • Military transcripts, if applicable.
4. 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.

Note: Students who would like to share their ACT and SAT scores with the admission committee have the option to do so. These materials are not required as part of the application for admission.

• Decisions are made on applications files after the conclusion of the applicant’s junior year (if in high school) and prior to the intended enrollment year.
• All applicants are notified promptly by the admissions office. 

International Applicants also require these additional items:

• Official English evaluation of all official transcripts via an international evaluation organization, such as Educational Credential Evaluators (ece.org) and World Educational Services (wes.org). The evaluation must include cumulative GPA.
• 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.
  • 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.