Entering Freshmen

Students who have completed fewer than 15 semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours of college work after high school are regarded as entering freshmen and are considered for regular admission on the basis of the following general expectations:

• Graduation from an accredited high school (in a college-preparatory curriculum)¹ or completion of a GED certificate
• One of the following:
  • ACT composite score of at least 19
  • Equivalent combined SAT scores (Math and Critical Reading)
• Official transcripts of all high school and previous college work must be provided

¹

Aurora University defines a college preparatory curriculum or its equivalent as totaling at least 16 academic units as specified below:

• English 4 years
• Mathematics 3 years
• Social Studies 3 years
• Science 3 years
• Electives 3 years

Test Optional Admission

Entering freshmen may choose to be reviewed for admission without standardized test scores (ACT or SAT). If a student chooses to be reviewed as test-optional, their admission and scholarship (if applicable) will be based on their academic record. 

Final official high school transcripts, documenting date of graduation should be submitted to the Office of Admission and Financial Aid prior to the beginning of the student’s first semester of classes. Final official high school transcripts must be submitted prior to the end of the student’s first semester of classes, or financial aid may not be disbursed and/or a hold may be placed on future registration. 

The Vice President for Enrollment, or designee, may grant admission with conditions to applicants for admission who do not meet the minimum requirements but are deemed by the Vice President for Enrollment, or designee, to warrant special consideration based on one or a combination of the following:

1. Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) that indicate a potential for academic success at Aurora University.
2. Previous high school academic success (i.e., grade point average and class rank) that indicate a potential for academic success at Aurora University.
3. Two references from teachers who can speak of the applicant’s potential for success in college. It is preferred that one of these references be written by a current or former English teacher.
4. A personal interview with the Vice President for Enrollment or designee.
5. A detailed, written, personal statement by the applicant to the Vice President for Enrollment explaining the applicant’s previous academic performance, his/her academic/career goals and his/her interest in Aurora University.
6. Other pertinent information that the Office of Admission deems sufficient and appropriate to warrant an admission decision.
7. Any combination of the above upon which the Vice President for Enrollment, or designee, may deem sufficient and appropriate to warrant an admission decision.

Transfer Students

Any applicant for traditional undergraduate admission, who has completed at least 15 semester hours of transferable college coursework from a regionally accredited college or university after high school, will be considered a transfer student. Applicants with less than 30 semester hours of transferable college coursework may be required to meet the academic qualifications for freshman applicants and provide official high school transcripts with proof of graduation and ACT/SAT test scores. All transfer applicants must present proof of graduation or satisfactory completion of the GED if not evident from college transcripts. Students who have been enrolled in high school and have concurrently taken college courses should check with an admission representative about their entry status.

The Vice President for Enrollment or a designate may grant full approval for admission to transfer applicants based upon the following criteria:

1. The student was in good academic standing at the college or university last attended and whose overall college record yields a GPA of at least 2.4 on a 4.0 scale for coursework that could normally be considered applicable to degree programs at Aurora University. Individual programs may set stricter admission requirements, including requirements for proficiency in written and/or spoken English subject to the approval of the Chief Academic Officer.
2. The Vice President for Enrollment may admit an applicant for admission to Aurora University on academic warning if the applicant was on academic probation or had been dismissed from a college or university previously attended or whose overall college record yields a GPA of less than a 2.4 on a 4.0 scale for coursework that could normally be considered applicable to degree programs at Aurora University. The criteria upon which a transfer applicant may be approved for admission on warning will be identical to the criteria used in consideration of conditional freshmen applicants, as noted above. Admission to programs with approved standards of their own is to be governed by the standards of those programs.

Any student who has been dismissed from another college or university must attend a community college for at least two semesters (not including summer) prior to being considered for admission. Any student who would like to appeal this policy must do so in writing to the Vice President of Enrollment.

Special Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Online Program Students

• Transcripts (official, sealed) from all previously attended colleges and universities;
• A resume demonstrating two or more years of work experience, military service, or relevant adult responsibilities; and
• A personal statement addressing why the applicant wishes to enroll in an online program and a description of how they will structure their lives and time to be successful. 

Students who do not meet these admissions requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Vice President for Enrollment or designee.

Adult Student Admission

Available at the Woodstock Center location

Aurora University is proud of its long tradition of service to non-traditional, adult students. These students, known as Adult Degree Completion students, are considered for admission under guidelines established by the faculty. The university recognizes that many factors besides prior academic record may be important indicators of an adult student’s potential for success in college. If a student has taken courses at other colleges, transcripts will be required; however, the university also considers such factors as career experience and community service in evaluating adult students for admission. Proof of high school graduation or completion of the GED may be required, but high school grades are not normally used as an admission criterion for adult students. A nontraditional age student may be required to show proficiency in written and/or spoken English.