Admission Requirements

First-Year Admission Requirements

First-time college students applying for admission to a degree program are expected to present the following qualifications:

1. Graduation from an accredited high school or its equivalent or successful completion of a high school equivalency exam (GED, HiSET or TASC).
2. Submit an official high school transcript.
3. Satisfactory class rank in the high school graduating class.
4. Satisfactory completion of a high school curriculum preparing the student for college. Although no specific distribution of high school credits is required for admission, a college preparatory curriculum is recommended, including:
   1. four years of English (grammar, composition, literature).
   2. two years of a foreign language.
   3. three or four years of college preparatory mathematics (algebra, plane geometry and advanced algebra as a minimum).
   4. two or three years of laboratory science (at least two from among biology, chemistry and physics).
   5. two years of social science (selected from U.S., world and European history; government; sociology; psychology; geography; economics).
5. Personal reference information from the student’s high school guidance counselor or principal. Appropriate references from other people may be submitted by applicants 25 years of age or older.
6. A final official transcript is to be submitted to the admissions office from the high school or learning institution, validating the completion of degree.

Application Procedures

1. Apply online at manchester.edu, or via the Common Application at www.commonapp.org.
2. Once your application is submitted, please provide an official high school transcript, including current course work and most recent grades available.
3. Students should submit their completed application as early as possible following completion of their junior year in high school, but at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester in which they plan to enroll.

Fast Forward

Students motivated to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years may consider the Manchester University Fast Forward program. Fast Forward students can complete most majors through a combination of AP/dual credit and individualized academic advising. In addition to the first-year admissions requirements, applicants to the Fast Forward programs are required to:

1. Select a specific major.
2. Apply by May 1 prior to beginning first-year classes.

Admission and Enrollment 

1. An admission decision will be made when the application is complete. The applicant will usually be notified within two weeks.

2. A $100 enrollment deposit is expected of all admitted students to confirm their intention to enroll. This fee is refundable through May 1 for the fall semester.

3. Course selection and registration for new fall students will begin in the spring and is completed in coordination with the summer orientation experience (Black & Gold Day).

4. Residential life information is sent to all enrolled students. Students complete a Housing Agreement to live in University facilities or a Request to Live Off Campus form to commute from home.

5. All full-time and part-time students are required to complete a health record form that requires personal history, a complete immunization record and an emergency record card. The completed Health Record forms must be on file with the University prior to the start of classes in the student’s first semester.

Advanced Standing (Transfer) Admission

In addition to the first-year admission requirements, a student transferring to Manchester must have official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions at Manchester from the registrar of each post-secondary institution previously attended.

A transfer candidate must have a cumulative transfer grade point average of a 2.0 (4.0 scale) to be eligible for admission. A transfer candidate who is ineligible to re-enroll at the last attended college will normally be considered ineligible to enter Manchester University for at least one semester.

Transfer credit evaluation is completed only after all official transcripts from other institutions have been submitted to Manchester. If only partial information is available, a tentative evaluation may be requested but cannot be considered official until all documents are received.

Credits earned at regionally accredited institutions with a grade of C or higher may be transferred upon approval through the credit evaluation process. Grades, however, are not transferable. Credits accepted will be applied toward LARC and major requirements as appropriate and verified by the Transfer Credit Report. Students currently enrolled at Manchester University who wish to transfer credit for courses taken at other academic institutions (for example, in summer school programs) should secure approval from the registrar’s office before taking the course. Without prior approval, no assurance of transfer credit can be made.

Admission Classifications

Each student admitted to the University is classified in one of the following categories:

High school students with strong academic backgrounds may be admitted to take Manchester University courses for credit on campus or virtually through the Manchester University Academy Program. Interested students must submit the Manchester University Academy Application to the Admissions Office. The University reserves the right to limit course options for high school students.

Non-degree status is designed for the high school graduate who desires to take college work for self-improvement, developing or maintaining skills for employment, transfer of credit toward a degree or program at another institution or teacher certification. Students may apply by completing an application for admission as a non-degree candidate, available in the Office of Admissions. Students with a prior bachelor’s degree may pursue additional work as a degree-seeking student if the student is working toward a new major. The Office of the Registrar will determine which courses from the prior degree will satisfy the new major’s requirements.

Students who have previously attended Manchester University but who have not been enrolled in the immediately preceding regular semester must file an application for readmission with the Office of Admissions in advance of the anticipated return.

A student who has been disqualified from further attendance may apply for reinstatement by submitting an application for readmission accompanied by a letter presenting evidence that the applicant is prepared to meet the minimum academic standards of the University.