Chapter 2
ADMISSION OF
STUDENTS NEW TO Clayton State University
READMISSION OF
FORMER Clayton State University STUDENTS
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL APPLICANTS
To be admitted to Clayton State University, a new student must qualify under one of the admission categories listed below. Applicants in all categories must submit (1) a completed application for admission with immunization form, (2) the required application fee, and (3) all documents required by the appropriate category under which they are applying. The admissions application and immunization form may be obtained from the Office of Recruitment in the Student Center Building or on-line at www.clayton.edu. If you need assistance or have questions about admission, please contact the Office of Recruitment by email Clayton State University-info@mail.clayton.edu or call 770-961-3500. If you have questions after your application has been submitted, please contact the Office of Enrollment Services (770-961-3511).
Application
DEADLINES
To insure admission consideration for a given term, applicants in all categories must meet the appropriate application deadline*
as follows:
Fall Semester...........................July 1
Spring Semester......................December 1
Summer
Semester...................April 1
* Next business
day when the first falls on a weekend.
Applications received after the
deadline may be considered if workload allows, but the University cannot
guarantee that processing will be completed in time for the beginning of the
upcoming semester. Students admitted
late may find that class availability is limited and access to limited space
programs may be unavailable. Procedures
for late applications may be found at www.clayton.edu.
TRANSCRIPTS AND TEST SCORES
High school and/or college transcripts must
be official copies in sealed envelopes provided by the high school and/or
college; student copies are not acceptable.*
Test scores (SAT I & II, ACT, AP) must be submitted to Clayton State University directly
from the testing service or on the official high school transcript; copies
provided by the student are not acceptable. In cases requiring the SAT II, the University will provide information about which tests are needed and
what scores are acceptable.
*Clayton State University will accept electronic
transcripts from some University System of Georgia institutions.
Admission
Categories
Applicants for admission to Clayton State University are classified into one of the following categories:
• Recent High School
Graduates (graduation class in the past five years)
• Non-traditional Applicants
(graduation class more than five years ago and not a transfer)
• Transfer Students
• Freshmen Scholars
(concurrent high school/university enrollment)
• Transient Students
• International Students
• Other Categories
(post-baccalaureate, auditors, age 62 and older)
These categories are defined and explained under the headings that
follow.
Program admission
General admission to the University does
not guarantee admission to certain programs that have limited enrollment capacity
and/or additional standards. This
includes such programs as nursing, dental hygiene, music, teacher education,
and information technology. Please
consult the appropriate chapters of this catalog for full information.
The new student orientation program is an
important set of activities designed to acquaint new students with the
resources available at Clayton State University. The program is
tailored for the unique needs of all students, and there are programs for
freshmen, transfer students, transients, and families of new students. All new
students are encouraged to participate. During the program, students will have an opportunity to meet
faculty and students, become familiar with campus facilities, and be introduced
to the wide variety of student services and activities available to the campus
community. At the conclusion of
orientation, students will meet with faculty advisors and register for
courses. New freshmen are strongly
encouraged to enroll in Clayton State University 1000 - Student Success Seminar. Orientation details are provided after the
student has been accepted to the University.
Call 770-961-3510 for additional information.
This category is designed for students who
have recently graduated from high school or who will do so soon. Students in their senior year of high school
who anticipate graduating prior to their admission to Clayton State University (Clayton State University) are in this category.
Applicants in this category must have graduated from high school within
the past five years and if they have been to college they must have completed
fewer than 30 semester hours (or quarter equivalent) of college-level credit.
Applicants who have 30 or more credit hours of college-level work must apply
under the transfer category.
Clayton State University’s
admission standards are based on grade point average, College Prepatory
Curriculum, and standardized test scores as explained under the headings
below. Depending of their level of
achievement in high school, accepted applicants are classified into “regular”
or “limited” admission status.
·
“Regular”
Admission Status. This status
applies to high school graduates whose records indicate a high likelihood of
academic success in college. Any recent
strong school graduate who meets the Clayton State University’s standards for “regular” admission
is guaranteed acceptance provided that the applicant has applied by the
published deadline and has complied with all procedural and documentary
requirements.
·
“Limited”
Admission Status. A restricted number of students who have not achieved the
standards for “regular” admission but who do meet University’s minimum
admission standards will be admitted on a “limited” basis. Students admitted on
this basis may be required to take special placement tests and may be placed in
Learning Support courses if indicated by the results.
STANDARDS FOR
“REGULAR” ADMISSION STATUS
1.
College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) Completed. To qualify for regular admission to Clayton
State, an applicant must have graduated from an accredited high school and
completed the “college prep” high school courses specified by the University
System of Georgia College Preparatory Curriculum as follows:
·
four years of college prep
English
·
four years of college prep
mathematics
·
three years of college prep science
·
three years of college prep social studies
·
two years of college prep foreign language
·
two approved academic electives
In general,
“approved academic electives” excludes courses such as office aide, physical
activity, and many vocational courses.
Applicants with questions about academic electives or any other aspect
of CPC should contact their high school counselors or call the Clayton State University Office of
Recruitment (770-961-3500). Alternate
ways to meet the CPC requirement are explained later in this chapter under the
heading CPC Alternates.
2. Freshman Index
(FI) of 2000. The FI is
calculated based on a sliding scale between high school grade point average in
CPC courses (HSGPA) and standardized test scores (SAT or ACT). To qualify for regular admission to Clayton State University, an
applicant must have achieved the following:
·
SAT-ACT Minimum: SAT-I score of
at least at least 830 with subscore minimums of 430 verbal and 400 math (or ACT
score of at least 17 English and 17
math).
·
Freshman Index
(FI) of at least 2000. The FI is
calculated as follows:
-- Using
SAT-I: SATV + SATM + (HSGPA x 500).
-- Using ACT:
(ACT composite score x 42) + (HSGPA x 500) + 88.
For example, using the SAT, a student
with scores of 510V and 520M and a HSGPA of 3.00 would have an FI of 2,530 (510
+ 520 + [3.00 x 500] = 2,530).
STANDARDS FOR
“LIMITED” ADMISSION STATUS
Students who meet
the minimum standards for “limited” admission but not for “regular” admission
will be reviewed by the Admission Appeals Committee, and a restricted number of
students will be admitted based on the committee’s judgment of the applicants'
likelihood for academic success. Students
admitted in this status may be required to take additional placement tests and
may be required by the institution to take Learning Support courses if
indicated by test results.
1.
College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) completed except electives. Same as “regular” status except that the
two additional academic electives are not required.
2. Freshman Index (FI) of 1830.
· SAT-ACT Minimum: Same as “regular” status; i.e., SAT-I score of at least at least 830 with subscore minimums of 430 verbal and
400 math (or ACT score of at least 17
English and 17 math).
·
Freshman Index
(FI) of at least 1830. See the “regular”
status heading for details on calculation of the FI.
Vocational ONLY Admission
Students who wish to enter a certificate
or career associate degree program (except Information Technology) may be
admitted under the limited category if they do not qualify for regular
admission. This applies especially to
students in “Tech Prep” programs in high school. Certain substitutions in CPC requirements may be made for such
students. Students who are limited, on
a vocational only basis may not change majors to a non-vocational major until
they have exempted or exited from all Learning Support requirements and have
completed all of the Core Curriculum courses (Area A-E) in the A.A.S. (minimum
18 hours) with a GPA of at least 2.00 in core.
Contact the Office of Recruitment for details (770-961-3500).
HOME SCHOOL GRADUATES
Clayton State University can admit home-schooled students
whose SAT/ACT test scores indicate strong potential for academic success. Contact the Office of Recruitment for
details (770-961-3500).
Alternate Methods to meet CPC Requirement
Students who did not meet CPC requirements
by coursework at a recognized high school may meet the requirements by earning
the required score on the appropriate SAT II examination(s). Contact an Office of Recruitment for details
(770-961-3500). In certain cases, a student who has a deficiency in the 16
required CPC units may be admitted by Presidential Exception. Such students will be required to take one course
in each area of deficiency. The
approved courses are as follows:
Science
(laboratory): BIOL 1111/1111L, SCI 1111/1111L, CHEM 1151/1151L, or PHYS
1111/1111L.
Social Sciences:
SOCI 1101, PSYC 1101, POLS 2201, HIST 1110.
Foreign
Languages: any course numbered 1001.
Courses
taken to meet CPC requirements cannot be used to satisfy any other requirements
but may count as prerequisites.
Students are strongly encouraged to enroll
in CPC deficiency make-up courses during their first term of enrollment. Any students who have not made up their
College Preparatory Curriculum deficiencies by the time they have earned 24
semester hours of college degree credit must
be enrolled in CPC deficiency courses.
Students who have not removed College Preparatory Curriculum
deficiencies by the time they have earned 30 hours of college degree credits
may not enroll in any college degree courses until all CPC deficiencies are
satisfied.
Special Admission Circumstances
A recent
high school graduate otherwise not eligible for admission may be considered for
admission in two circumstances: (1) if the applicant has (SAT I or ACT) scores
in the upper five percent of national college-bound seniors and shows other
evidence of college readiness. (2) If
the President determines that the applicant shows exceptional talent and
promise for success such "Presidential exceptions" are very
limited. Contact the Office of
Recruitment for details.
The non-traditional category applies to
applicants who have been out of high school for at least five years and who
have no (or very little) college credit.
Non-traditional students are encouraged to consider taking the “Academic
Skills Tune-up” or other courses offered in Continuing Education (770-961-3550)
prior to applying for University admission. Applicants in this category do not
have to meet the same standards as recent high school graduates and do not have
to submit SAT or ACT test scores.
(Non-traditional applicants may submit recent SAT/ACT scores if they
wish to.)
To qualify for
non-traditional admission, all four of the following criteria must apply:
1. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited or approved high school or have satisfactorily completed the General Educational
Development (GED).
2. Applicants must have been out of high school for at least five years. (For GED holders, their original high school class must have
graduated at least five years ago.)
3. Applicants
who have attended college must have earned fewer than 30 semester hours of
transferable credit.
4. Applicants
who have attended college must either
a) have
not attended within the past five years, or
b) have
been admitted to their last college as a non-traditional student and be in good
standing at that institution.
Students admitted in the non-traditional
category must take the COMPASS placement test prior to enrolling in any
classes.* If the COMPASS indicates the
need for Learning Support courses, the non-traditional student will be required to enroll in such courses and
must exit Learning Support in accordance with general Learning Support
policy. (See the Academic Information
chapter.)**
* A
non-traditional applicant is exempt from taking the COMPASS if he or she has
taken the SAT within the past seven years and scored at least 500V and 500M (or
ACT 21E and 21M).
** Prescreening
tests may be required before the student is admitted. When this requirement is in effect, applicants are notified.
TRANSFER APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Like all applicants, transfers must submit
a Clayton State University application form and immunization form by the deadline mentioned earlier
in this chapter. In addition, transfer
applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended regardless of whether the
student has any transferable hours from the institution. Official transcripts must arrive in sealed
envelopes. (Clayton State University will accept electronic
transcripts from certain other University System institutions.) Student copies of transcripts are not
acceptable.
Special
note for transfer applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours of transferable
credit*: In addition to meeting the
transfer standards explained below, applicants in this status must also meet freshman
admission standards as either a "recent high school graduate" or
"non-traditional student" depending on the date of high school
graduation. This requires submission of
the official high school transcript (or GED record) in addition to submitting college
and university transcripts.
TRANSFER ADMISSION STANDARDS – REGULAR ADMISSION
1. Students transferring to Clayton State University must have a
transfer GPA** of at least 2.00.
2. A student transferring 30 or more semester hours*
from within the University System of Georgia must have met any CPC deficiency
or Learning Support requirements of the sending institution before transferring
to Clayton State University.
Any student who meets the regular status
transfer admission standard and complies with all deadlines and document
requirements will be admitted to Clayton State University.
Admission to selective admission programs such as nursing, dental
hygiene, teacher education, and information technology is not guaranteed and
may require a separate application form.
* Transferable credit excludes institutional
credit courses, CPC deficiency make-up courses, and vocational courses unless
accepted to apply to a Clayton State University program.
** The GPA is based on all transferable hours plus attempted but unearned hours in
courses that would have transferred to Clayton State University if credit had been awarded.
TRANSFER ADMISSION STANDARDS – LIMITED
A restricted number of transfer students
who do not have a transfer GPA of at least 2.00 may be admitted if they show
“promise for success” as determined by the Clayton State University Admission Appeals
Committee. (Often this involves cases
in which recent grades are acceptable but older grades keep the overall GPA
down.) Applicants may be required to
submit essays or documentation in support of their applications. If granted admission, the student may have
to abide by certain restrictions.
GENERAL POLICIES ON TRANSFER STUDENTS
1. Appeal
of Admission Rejection. Transfer
applicants who are rejected for either of the following reasons may submit an appeal
for reconsideration:
a. any applicant who fails to meet the standards
for Regular Transfer admission as described above, i.e., 2.00 transfer GPA and
other standards if applicable.
b. any applicant who
is ineligible to return to his or her previous institution because of academic
or disciplinary suspension or dismissal (expulsion, exclusion, etc.).
The applicant
must file a statement of appeal and may be required to submit
documentation. Admission to Clayton State University will
be based on the Admission Appeal Committee’s judgment concerning the likelihood
of the individual’s academic and/or disciplinary success at Clayton State University.
2. Academic
Standing. A student
admitted as a transfer is subject to the academic standing regulations at his
or her previous institution(s) and
to the academic standing regulations for students already attending Clayton State University. This means that all probations, suspensions,
and dismissals (exclusions, expulsions, etc.) carry over from the sending
institution(s). In certain relatively
rare cases, this can also mean that a student who was in good standing at his
or her previous institution will be admitted to Clayton State University on probation because of
the student’s total transfer GPA.
3. Acceptable
Credit. Clayton State University will normally and
routinely accept credit for all college-level work earned with acceptable
grades (see item 4) at regionally accredited colleges and universities provided
that the courses are comparable to one ones offered at Clayton State University or otherwise
appropriate for application to the Clayton State University curriculum. Credit from non-accredited institutions is not normally
accepted.*
Important note: Due to variations in curricula in
specific majors (e.g., nursing, information technology), courses completed at
another institution may not apply to the major at Clayton State University.
* An applicant with credit from institutions
that are not regionally accredited may appeal for acceptance based on evidence
that the work is equivalent to college-level courses offered by accredited
institutions. The burden of proof rests
with the applicant. The appeal will be
reviewed by the Registrar and the appropriate dean with the final decision
resting with the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
4. Grade
Requirements. A minimum grade of D
will be accepted for transfer credit in lower division (1000‑2000)
courses except ENGL 1101, which requires a grade of C. A minimum grade of C is required for transfer credit in
upper division (3000‑4000) courses.
Some programs of study (majors) at Clayton State University
require a grade of C or better (or K) in all or some courses in the
field. Acceptance of a course with a
grade of D by the University does not
guarantee acceptance in the specific program.
5. “2 + 2” Programs. A student who
has earned a career associate degree (A.A.S., A.A.T., A.S.N., A.S.D.H., etc.)
may be admitted to a “2+2” baccalaureate program (B.S.N., B.A.S.) in accordance
with the policies in the Technology and Health Sciences chapters.
6. Placement Examinations. Transfer
students may be required to participate in the University’s placement
examination process and, based on those results, may be strongly recommended or
required to enroll in specified courses or other learning experiences. Specifically, any applicant without credit
for MATH 1111 or higher must take the math placement test before enrolling in a
math class at Clayton State University.
7. Learning Support. Transfer
applicants will be screened for previous participation in the University System
of Georgia Learning Support program. Previous participants must furnish Clayton
State with a complete record of their test performance on all required tests.
Students who have not exited an area at the sending institution will be bound
by Clayton State University’s Learning Support requirements, and
the University may require additional testing to help determine an applicant’s
qualifications for admission.
Important Note: Transfer students who have questions
about the evaluation of their transfer work should contact the Registrar’s Office
(770-961-5110). Specific concerns about
the transfer or degree applicability of core curriculum courses from University
System of Georgia institutions should be directed to the Associate Vice
President for Academic Affairs (Transfer Ombudsman), 770-961-3538.
Concurrent High
School / University Enrollment
The Freshman Scholar Program offers
outstanding high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to accelerate their
academic programs by taking courses at Clayton State University. The Freshman Scholar
Program includes three options available to qualified high school students:
• The Joint Enrollment Program allows
outstanding high school students to accelerate their education by earning college
credit at Clayton State University. This program enables participants to fulfill high school
graduation requirements and, at the same time, acquire fully accredited college
credits. Qualified students may enroll
in the program at the beginning of any academic semester.
• The Postsecondary Option Program (PSO) offers the same opportunities as
the Joint Enrollment Program but also involves a grant for tuition. PSO is available to both qualified juniors
and seniors enrolled in Georgia’s public high schools. Matriculation fees for students electing the
PSO program are paid through the Tuition Grant Program. A student wishing to enroll in the PSO
program must obtain a Tuition Grant form from his or her high school guidance
counselor prior to registering for classes each semester. (This program is not available during Summer
Term.)
• The Early Admissions Program allows
qualified high school seniors to accelerate their education by enrolling as
full‑time students at Clayton State University before they
actually graduate from high school but credit does not apply to high
school. Qualified students may enroll
in this program at the beginning of any academic semester at Clayton State University.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To be considered
for Freshman Scholar admission, a student must submit the following
documentation by the deadline for the academic term:
·
Freshman Scholar application
·
Clayton State University application and immunization form
·
official high school
transcript(s)
·
SAT or ACT scores.
Because the Freshman Scholar Program
involves close cooperation between Clayton State University and
the high school, it is important that students considering one of these options
work closely with their high school counselors and/or principals. For further
information, students should contact the Freshman Scholar Advisor in the Office
of Counseling and Career Services (770-961-3518).
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be admissible as a Freshman Scholar at Clayton State University,
a high school junior or senior must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Have
a minimum combined SAT I score of 1060 or ACT composite score of 23.
2. Have
a 3.00 or higher HSGPA (3.50 if a junior) in required College Preparatory
Curriculum (CPC) courses.
3. Have
the recommendation of the high school principal or counselor.
4. Have
parental or guardian approval (if the student is a minor).
5. Be
on schedule to complete CPC courses by the end of the senior year.
SUBSCORE RESTRICTIONS
Students must