Recruitment and Admissions

Recruitment and Admissions

The Office of Recruitment is committed to assisting prospective students in the decision-making process of choosing the right university for their higher education studies. Our Enrollment Counselors encourage prospective students to attend ULM by providing information about the academic advantages and opportunities our University offers. Our counselors promote campus tours, inform students of the available school services, provide informational brochures and application packets, conduct college information/career day programs, and coordinate and sponsor special recruiting events. They also assist high school counselors, community colleges and businesses in their effort to encourage prospective students to attend ULM.

The Office of Recruitment is also responsible for Student Orientation. Orientation serves as an opportunity to become familiar with all aspects of the University. New freshmen who have been accepted for the fall semester are required to attend one of the five scheduled sessions during the summer. Students will meet with advisors, schedule their fall classes, meet new friends, and become knowledgeable about our campus. Orientation sessions are also offered to parents which will help their son or daughter make the transition from high school much easier. Students and parents will receive information about how to register for the summer orientation program.

The Office of Admissions is responsible for the processing of all applications for admission without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, physical or mental handicap, marital status, or veteran’s status. The Admissions Office accepts and certifies the validity of transcripts and ACT/SAT test scores for high school and college transfer students.

The Office of Admissions serves as the point of contact for students who need assistance with establishing Louisiana residency for tuition purposes in accordance with State Board regulations and establishes eligibility for and processes the out-of-state fee waiver.

All students are encouraged to apply for admission. ULM offers students who do not meet eligibility requirements the right to appeal for admission to the University. The Appeals Committee’s decision will be affected by the student’s potential for success and the need to enhance the University’s demographically diverse student population, as well as age, ethnic background, experience, and talent.

The Office of Recruitment/Admissions is located in Sandel Hall. For more information concerning admission to ULM, please call (318) 342-5430 or toll free (800) 372-5127 or e-mail admit@ulm.edu. To schedule a campus tour or to receive additional information about our University, please call (318) 342-3806 or toll free (800) 372-5127 or e-mail hawkseekers@ulm.edu.

Admission to the University

General Admission Policy

For admission as a regular undergraduate student, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited high school. A graduate of a non-accredited high school, however, may apply for admission, acceptance of which will be determined by the Recruitment/Admissions Office. Students who have received a high school equivalency diploma from a high school on the basis of completing the General Education Development (GED) tests may apply for admission to the freshman class. Students’ registration at the University may be canceled at any point during the semester if they are determined not to have a high school diploma or GED.

Every degree-seeking beginning freshman and every undergraduate transfer student (full-time or part-time) who has earned fewer than 12 semester hours (exception: adult learners) must complete the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and have official scores sent to ULM directly from ACT or SAT. Since certain courses (English/mathematics) have ACT/SAT prerequisites, all students are required to have official ACT or SAT scores sent prior to their enrollment.

All applicants entering through any type of application for admission or readmission must submit the non-refundable application fee. Only general admission is offered to applicants by the Admissions Office. For admission requirements to degree and professional programs, see the appropriate sections of the catalog by college.

The University reserves the right to deny admission in instances which would be detrimental to the student or which would interfere with the capacity of other students to benefit from the educational experience.

Please refer to the Admissions Enrollment Eligibility Policy section for additional information.

Admission by Undergraduate Application

Beginning Freshman (under age 25):

1. Complete and submit an undergraduate application for admission with the appropriate application fee. NOTE: Students may visit the ULM website at www.ulm.edu/apply to complete and submit an application electronically.
2. The Admissions Office will request high school transcripts electronically for all in-state students. Home-schooled and out-of-state students must provide a copy of their current high school transcripts. After graduation, home-schooled and out-of-state students must also provide an official high school transcript which specifically notes the final grades and graduation date, by mail to the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Recruitment/Admissions Office, Monroe, LA 71209-1160.
3. Students who have a GED (high school equivalency diploma) should submit the official GED examination results.
4. Complete the American College Testing (ACT - University Code 15980) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT - University Code 6482) Program tests and request that the scores be mailed directly to the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The ACT/SAT scores must be received prior to a student’s enrollment. ACT tests are given at designated centers throughout the United States on five established dates during the year—October, December, February, April, and June. In certain foreign countries, the tests are given at designated centers in October, December, February, and March. Registration for the tests must be made to the ACT Registration Department, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, Iowa 52240 approximately one month in advance of the desired test date. Registration information can be obtained at the ACT website “www.ACT.org” or by calling (319)337-1270. Detailed information and application forms may also be obtained from high school principals or counselors, or from the ULM Office of Recruitment/Admissions (318)342-5430. The SAT is administered six times annually. Additional information is available at www.collegeboard.com.

Selective Admissions Criteria for Fall 2011 Beginning Freshmen (under age 25):

Fall 2011 Minimum Admission Requirements

• Louisiana residents must complete the Regents High School Core Curriculum (listed below)
• Require no more than (1) remedial course (requires minimum ACT subscore of 18 in English and 19 in math or SAT equivalent)
• 2.0 cumulative high school GPA

And meet one (1) of the following requirements:

• 2.3 cumulative high school GPA
• ACT composite score of 20 (or SAT equivalent)
• Rank in upper 50% of high school class

Regents Core

All students are encouraged to apply for admission. Students not meeting the above criteria will be considered for admission based on an individualized evaluation of their likelihood of success at ULM.

Transfer Students (under age 25)

1. Complete the application for admission and submit with application fee. NOTE: Students may visit the ULM website at www.ulm.edu and connect to the Prospective Students link to complete and submit an application electronically.
2. Request the Registrar of each college or university previously attended to forward to the Recruitment/Admissions Office a complete and official transcript of work. An official transcript is defined as one mailed directly from one institution to another. It bears the institution’s seal, the signature of the registrar, and the date of issuance.
3. Submit scores of the American College Testing (ACT - University Code 15980) Program or Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT - University Code 6482) tests if the applicant has earned fewer than 12 semester hours from a regionally-accredited institution. ULM reserves the right to require ACT scores on transfer students if grades earned do not reflect satisfactory college level performance.

Selective Admissions Criteria for Transfer Students (under age 25):

Students who have earned a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.00 from a regionally accredited institution will be considered for admission (A) if they have completed at least 12 semester hours of college-level credit with no more than one remedial course requirement, or (B) if they have completed fewer than 12 semester hours of college level credit but meet ULM freshman admission requirements.

The requirements listed above are for general admission only. Admission to specific/professional degree programs will be determined at the college level.

All students are encouraged to apply for admission. Students not meeting the above criteria will be considered for admission based on an individualized evaluation of their likelihood of success at ULM.

Applicants with previous college or university work from regionally accredited institutions may apply for admission if eligible to return to the college or university from which they are transferring. The Recruitment/Admissions Office will make an acceptance evaluation upon receipt of the application and official transcripts from each college and university previously attended. Transcripts of students who enroll are retained by the University for its official files.

Students will be admitted on probation according to current probation policy.

Transfer students will be placed on Provisional Academic Probation until all official transcripts have been received and their academic status has been determined. Those students placed on Provisional Academic Probation will be suspended from the University should they fail to earn at least a C average (2.0) on all hours pursued.

Students on Provisional Academic Probation will not be allowed to enroll at ULM for subsequent enrollment periods, nor will an official ULM transcript be released, until all official transcripts or other required missing credentials have been received.

Students from any other institution of higher learning will not be permitted to enroll while under suspension unless appeals criteria are met. Previous academic suspensions will be counted.

Transfer students under academic suspension for indefinite periods of time (length not specified) will not be considered for admission until such intervals of time would have elapsed had the suspension been incurred at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Evaluations concerning probation, suspension, grades, grade point average, and hours pursued and earned are based on prevailing ULM standards, regardless of previous determinations at other institutions the student has attended.

Please refer to the Admissions Enrollment Eligibility Policy section for additional information.

Non-Traditional Students (Adult Learner)

Adults aged 25 and over who are defined as entering freshmen are not required to meet the minimum admission criteria for first-time freshmen. Students in this category must be a high school graduate or have a GED (General Educational Development equivalency diploma). To apply for admission, submit the credentials listed below to the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Office of Recruitment/Admissions, Monroe, LA 71209-1160.

1. Complete and submit an undergraduate application for admission with the appropriate admission fee. The online application may be found at www.ulm.edu/apply.
2. Submit an official copy of their high school transcript which includes graduation date or official GED results.
3. If the ACT or SAT test was taken, official scores should be submitted. These scores will be used to determine developmental course requirements or students have the option to take test-out examinations.

Adults aged 25 and over who are defined as transfer students are required to meet the minimum admission criteria for transfer students and must be eligible to return to the last accredited collegiate institution attended. Students who do not may be admitted under the transfer admission exceptions category.

The requirements listed above are for general admission only. Admission to specific/professional degree programs will be determined at the college level.

Transfer Credits Policy

1. Students wishing to transfer credits from another institution to the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) must file an official transcript from that institution with ULM’s Office of Recruitment and Admissions.
2. The extent to which credit earned in other colleges and universities is accepted toward fulfilling degree requirements at ULM is determined by the dean of the student’s college. Only work that applies toward the curriculum the student selects at ULM and that demonstrates satisfactory final grades will be applied to the student’s degree plan.
3. No credit will be granted or recognized for work done by a student while under suspension from any educational institution unless the student meets ULM admissions and appeal requirements for that enrollment period.
4. The Statewide Student Transfer Guide and Articulation System Matrices (Board of Regents’ E-matrix) indicate transfer equivalences of courses among Louisiana’s public colleges and universities and may be accessed through the Board of Regents’ Web page at www.regents.state.la.us. The matrices are not all-inclusive; there are additional courses that articulate between campuses. Students are advised to contact their dean’s office or the Office of Recruitment and Admissions if they are unclear as to whether academic credit at other institutions is transferable.
5. Freshmen English courses taken from colleges and universities where English is not the native language will not transfer to satisfy ULM’s requirements of ENGL 1001 -ENGL 1002 . A student with such credit must take ULM’s ENGL 1001 -ENGL 1002  or pass the appropriate CLEP tests for credit in freshmen English. This policy will apply to all international, resident alien, and U.S and naturalized citizen students.
6. After students enrolled at ULM have earned 60 semester hours of non-developmental credits, they may not transfer credits earned in a two-year college to fulfill degree requirements, unless authorized to do so by their academic dean. Earned hours/credits refer to those associated with a course in which the student’s final grade is A, B, C, D, or CR.
7. If the college does not approve a transfer course for general education credit, the student may petition the Office of Academic Affairs for a decision.
8. All hours pursued by a student are used in determining the cumulative grade point average of that student, and all course work is posted to that student’s ULM transcript.
9. Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions, by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, is used as a basis for determining the accreditation status of other institutions. The policies and publications used to determine the acceptance of credit earned through nontraditional means and the acceptance or nonacceptance of credits granted by another institution through nontraditional means (e.g., military credit, credit by examinations, or other methods) are on file in the Registrar’s Office.

International Student Programs and Services

International Student Programs and Services welcomes international students and helps them achieve a successful and positive experience at ULM. The social and cultural enrichment these students bring to our campus is immeasurable. International students who have questions regarding admission, may contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at (318) 342-3059, Fax (318) 342-1915, or jordan@ulm.edu. Students who have questions about maintaining student status, F-1 and J-1 visas (J-1 may contact the Registrar), arrival information, etc., may contact the International Student Programs and Services, Hanna Hall, Room 207, (318) 342-5225, fax (318) 342-6764, or e-mail; international@ulm.edu.

International Student Programs and Services provides information and assistance regarding University regulations, immigration, and other matters. All international students are required to visit and maintain the contact with the International Student Advisor as soon as they arrive on campus.

Undergraduate international students must submit the following application materials before eligibility for admission can be determined.

Six Steps to Admission:

1. Application for admission with the $30 US application fee. (www.ulm.edu/enrollment/international)
2. Statement of Financial Backing signed by student and sponsor with sponsor’s bank statement.
3. Proof of Immunization form.
   (www.ulm.edu.enrollment/international/documents.html)
4. SAT score (school code 6482) or ACT score (school code 1598), if available.
5. ** Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language — school code 6482) minimum score of no less than 500 on the paper-based test, 61 on the Internet-based test, or a 173 on the computer-based test or official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of no less than 5.5.
6. Submit official academic transcripts from all college/universities attended or secondary education transcript (in English) if college work has not been attempted (a 2.2 GPA is required as determined by the Recruitment/Admissions Office, using a 4.0 scale; [foreign student athletes must meet NCAA requirements] for all undergraduate and transfer students). Academic credentials must be evaluated by a professional evaluation service (such as World Education Services Inc. at www.wes.org)

**International students whose native language is not English and score less than 100 on the Internet-based, 250 on the computer-based, 600 on the TOEFL paper-based, or less than 7 on the IELTS score, will be required to take an English proficiency test upon arrival on campus. Enrollment in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses is required if an English language deficiency is determined. International students may apply for exemption from the ULM English proficiency test if the students have attended four academic years and graduated from a U.S. regionally-accredited college or university, or have submitted an official TOEFL or IELTS, as stated above or have submitted a satisfactory passing score in English Language on the University of Cambridge/London G.C.E. examination. International students who earn the minimum score on the English proficiency test, who complete the ULM English as a Second Language course series or who meet one of the prescribed exemption requirements are not required to enroll in developmental English courses. ULM reserves the right to test those students whose first language is not English for English language proficiency, in spite of any credentials which may be submitted. International students may not circumvent the ESL requirement by taking freshman English at another institution while concurrently enrolling at ULM. If there are deficiencies, the student must complete ESL 103 satisfactorily before accumulating more than 24 hours of credit.

All above materials must be submitted before the following deadlines: When applying for fall semester (Aug-Dec), May 1; for spring semester (Jan.-May), October 1; for summer sessions (June/July), February 1. Graduate students should apply well in advance since admission to graduate programs is a lengthy process, and some programs have earlier application deadlines.

Group hospitalization insurance is mandatory for all international students. Enrollment in the student group hospitalization insurance program is mandatory at time of registration unless proof of comparable coverage by a private or government sponsored agency is provided. Proof of comparable coverage will be determined by the Office of Student Services.

For more information visit our website: www.ulm.edu/international.

GOLD — Gateway to Online Degrees

University of Louisiana at Monroe GOLD program is designed to enable adult learners to utilize the convenience and flexibility of online learning to earn a college degree. The opportunity to accelerate the process is offered through non-traditional course schedules of four and eight week sessions. There are a variety of degrees offered online. For a complete list of online degrees, visit the website at www.ulm.edu/gold

Visiting Students

Visiting students are those currently enrolled at another institution who wish to attend one semester or summer term at ULM and transfer the credit back to their home institution. They may be admitted by filing a visiting student application and an official letter of good standing from the Registrar of their home institution. However, students wishing to enroll in classes with pre-requisites must submit official transcripts to verify eligibility to enroll in those courses. Students who decide to transfer to ULM after one contiguous term as a visiting student will be required to submit a regular undergraduate application. Visiting students are not eligible to receive any federal financial aid.

Readmission

Returning students who have missed six consecutive terms (attending or applying for one or both summer sessions is considered participation in a term) or longer are required to submit a new application and application fee for readmission before the student will be eligible to re-enroll. All students must be advised before they are permitted to enroll in their classes. If a student has attended other institutions in the interim, it is the student’s responsibility to request official academic transcripts be mailed from those institutions to the Recruitment/Admissions Office. If a student attends ULM during a period of suspension from another institution and does not meet the appeal criteria, all credits earned under the suspension will be voided.

Collegiate Programs

The Collegiate Admissions Program provides an opportunity for exceptional high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to earn college credit. Applications for the Collegiate Admissions Program are available through high school guidance counselors or the ULM Office of Recruitment/Admissions. Classes are taught on the ULM campus.

Admission Requirements:

• of at least sophomore year (10th grade) standing
• pursuing the Regents Core Curriculum
• minimum ACT composite score of 18
• minimum ACT subscore of 18 in English or 19 in mathematics
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Meet all course prerequisites

Students who have a 2.5-2.9 cumulative GPA will be considered for admission if they have an ACT composite score of 23 or higher.

Students must submit an application for admission along with the admission fee, recommendation from their high school principal and proof of immunization form. ULM will obtain an electronic copy of the high school transcript for all Louisiana residents. Official ACT scores are required.

Students participating in the collegiate program are not allowed to receive talent grants, academic scholarships or dependent fee waivers.

Tuition for students enrolled in collegiate program classes will be $150 per 3-hour course.

Students participating in the collegiate program are limited to a maximum of 9 hours per semester for a total of 6 semesters, exclusive of summer sessions.

Early Start (Dual Enrollment) Program- This program allows students to earn college credit while enrolled in selected courses taught in their high schools.

Students must:

• be of at least sophomore (10th grade) standing
• be pursuing the Regents /TOPS Core or the Louisiana Core 4 curriculum
• have a PLAN composite score of at least 18 or an ACT (or an equivalent SAT) composite score of at least 18 to enroll in a college degree course
• have a PLAN or ACT (or an equivalent SAT) English sub-score of at least 18 to enroll in an entry level English college degree course
• have a PLAN or ACT (or an equivalent SAT) mathematics sub-score of at least 19 to reenroll in an entry level mathematics college degree course
• have a minimum 3.0 cumulative gpa or a 20 ACT composite score
• meet all course prerequisites

Students who have a 2.5-2.9 cumulative gpa will be considered for admission if they have an ACT composite score of 23 or higher. Students with less than a 2.0 cumulative gpa are not eligible to participate in the Early Start (dual enrollment) program.

In addition, students must submit necessary applications, transcripts, ACT scores and pay fees and tuition. To receive college credit, the student must be enrolled in the high school course for a full year and complete all course with a grade of A or B. If a student is pursuing an academic endorsement to his or her diploma, acquiring college credits may satisfy one of the components of the endorsement.

Tuition for students enrolled in Early Start (dual enrollment) program classes will be $150 per 3-hour course.

Students participating in the Early Start (dual enrollment) program are not allowed to receive talent grants, academic scholarships or dependent fee waivers.

Students participating in the Early Start (dual enrollment) program are limited to a maximum of 9 hours per semester for a total of 6 semesters, exclusive of summer sessions.

Special Non-Degree Academic Program (SNAP)

Undergraduate students wishing to enrich their educational background without pursuing a degree at the University of Louisiana at Monroe may enroll as special non-degree students. This program is available to the following applicants:

1. Students 19 years or older
2. High school graduates and non-high school graduates
3. Students who have attended other collegiate institutions and are eligible to return

Applicant must:

1. File an application for admission as a special non-degree student with the application fee.
2. Submit an official transcript from the last college attended, if attendance was within the past year.

Non-degree-seeking students are cautioned that course work pursued while in this classification may not necessarily apply toward a degree at ULM. Once non-high school graduates have earned 24 semester hours, they may petition the Registrar for instatement as degree-seeking students. When collegiate transfer students wish to enter degree-seeking status, they must present official transcripts from each collegiate institution attended so their academic standing can be determined.

Applicants admitted as non-degree students may not be eligible for financial aid or Veterans Administration educational benefits, since both require students to be enrolled in degree-awarding programs. Also, applicants may pursue only undergraduate courses and are limited to a maximum of 6 semester hours in a regular semester or summer term. Since certain university courses require prerequisites, applicants should check the University catalog for course sequences.

Please refer to the Admissions Enrollment Eligibility Policy section for additional information.

Admissions Enrollment Eligibility Policy

Applicants who submit an application but fail to enroll for the term indicated on the application will be permitted registration for six consecutive terms (attending or applying for one or both summer sessions is considered participation in a term.) Applicants who do not enroll for the applied term must call the Office of Recruitment/Admissions to reactivate their application. After six terms of no enrollment, applicants will be required to submit a new application, an application fee, and all required credentials.

Applicants who enroll and maintain academic eligibility will remain eligible for registration until there is a lapse of enrollment for six consecutive terms or until graduation.

It is the responsibility of the student to inform ULM of any attendance at other institutions once eligibility is determined by the Recruitment/Admissions Office. Students under academic suspension from another institution are not eligible to enroll at ULM. Should a student fail to inform the ULM Recruitment/Admissions Office of ineligibility and attend while under suspension, credits earned will be voided.

Resident and Non-Resident Classification

The residence status of an applicant or student is determined in accordance with State Board regulations and is based upon evidence provided in the application for admission and related documents. Residence status is determined by the Office of Recruitment/Admissions after the completed application for admission has been submitted. The regulations are based primarily on the location of the home and the place of employment. Residence status may not be acquired by an applicant or student while residing in Louisiana for the primary purpose of attending school. Resident status is not determined for undergraduate students registered for six semester hours or less; graduate students for three semesters or less; or all non-resident students enrolled in up to six semester hours of graduate or undergraduate courses offered through web-based instruction, when domiciled outside of the state of Louisiana and not enrolled in any other courses at the University. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the University with the evidence deemed necessary to establish the residence status.

1. Applicants living with their parents are classified as residents, if the parents have established a bona fide residence in Louisiana. Ordinarily, a parent is considered to have established a residence in Louisiana if he/she actually resides and is employed full time in the State. A parent who is unable or chooses not to be employed, may be considered to have established a residence in Louisiana if there is convincing evidence that he/she continuously resides in Louisiana. If only one parent qualifies as a resident of Louisiana, the student shall be classified as aresident provided that student resides with the parent who is a resident of Louisiana. An individual who resides in Louisiana and is employed full time in another state may be classified as a resident. In such a case, appropriate documentary evidence must be presented.
2. Students residing with their parents and enrolling as non-residents are classified as residents if the parents move to Louisiana and acquire residence as defined in these regulations.
3. Persons may be classified as residents of Louisiana at the end of twelve consecutive months of residence, if they have been employed in Louisiana, and if during that period they have not been registered in an educational institution for more than six semester hours or its equivalent in any semester. Persons who are unable to be employed and who have not been registered in any educational institution for more than six semester hours or its equivalent in any semester, may acquire residence in Louisiana if there is convincing evidence that they continuously resided in Louisiana for twelve consecutive months immediately preceding registration.
4. A student who is married to a Louisiana resident may acquire the residence status of his or her spouse.
5. Persons who reside in Louisiana for at least two years (exclusive of military service) and who then move to another state or foreign country, retain the right to enroll themselves or any of their dependents as a resident for a period equal to the number of years they resided in Louisiana, but the right shall expire for a person who resides for a period of two years in another state or foreign country.
6. Members of the Armed Forces currently stationed in Louisiana and their dependents shall be classified as Louisiana residents. Military personnel who were stationed in Louisiana immediately prior to their release from active duty may enroll themselves or their dependents as residents during a period not to exceed 6 months after the date of release, provided that the term of active duty shall have been no less than 12 consecutive months.
7. Members of the Armed Forces who were residents of Louisiana immediately prior to entering the Armed Forces retain the right for themselves or any of their dependents to be classified as a resident as long as they are in the Armed Forces and for a two-year period after leaving the Armed Forces.
8. A resident of Louisiana does not lose the right to be classified as a resident during periods of employment in a foreign country.
9. An alien who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence as an immigrant (proof of such status in his possession of his Form I-551-Alien Registration Receipt Card or passport officially stamped “approved as resident alien”) and who has established residence under any of the foregoing provisions shall be declared a resident of the State.
10. A student may be declared a resident if either parent is a graduate of the institution which the student attends.
11. A student who graduates with an associate or higher degree may be classified as a resident for subsequent enrollment at that same institution.