Undergraduate Admissions

First-Year Students

Application Process

The Academic Record

To be considered for admission, applicants must satisfactorily complete a college preparatory program in high school. Because high school programs and grading systems vary widely, secondary school programs cannot be rigidly prescribed. However, the Admissions Committee is most interested in the student with solid academic achievement in five or more college preparatory courses each of the four years of high school. 

Minimum preparation must include the following: 

1. Four years of English;
2. At least three years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II;
3. Three years of natural science;
4. Two years of social science; and
5. Two consecutive years of a foreign language (American Sign Language is recognized as a foreign language).

Suitable college preparatory electives will complete the applicant’s program. A grade point average of greater than 3.0 is typical for students accepted to Stetson.

Stetson University expects all applicants to provide complete, accurate, and truthful information throughout the admissions process. Any falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of information on the application or in supporting documents is considered a serious offense. If such discrepancies are discovered at any stage, the university reserves the right to deny admission, rescind an offer of acceptance, or withdraw enrollment, regardless of the timing of the discovery. 

Early Entry

Occasionally, high school students are interested in attending Stetson as full-time students prior to their high school graduation. Such students may be considered for admission if their secondary school work is exemplary, standardized tests show great academic potential, and an interview with the Director of Admission indicates that the student is mature and able to handle the academic as well as social challenges of college. Such students must submit the same materials required of all first-year student applications. NOTE: It is important for Early Entry candidates to be aware that students who enter college without a high school diploma or GED are ineligible for all state and federal financial assistance. 

Enrollment Deposit

International Students

Stetson encourages applications from international students. Students are expected to meet the regular admission requirements and demonstrate proficiency in English by scoring no less a 79 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (“TOEFL”) of the College Entrance Examination Board or a 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ("IELTS"). Admission of international students is based primarily on records of previous achievement. The Admission Committee will not admit students who are not proficient in English and whose records do not indicate potential successful academic performance at Stetson. 

Application Process

Fees

International students are required to make an enrollment deposit of $500 which is nonrefundable, toward their cost of study at Stetson. This deposit must be received before the I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility” form is issued by the University and returned to the student for his/her application for a student visa.   

Insurance

Per University policy and per U.S. Immigration law under the Cultural Exchange Act, International students are required to have adequate health insurance coverage while enrolled as an active student at the University. All International Students will be required to enroll in the student insurance plan offered by the University’s insurance agent unless they have other, comparable insurance and provide their current insurance information. Please contact WORLD: International Learning for more information at: 386-822-8165, or go to the WORLD: International Learning website. 

Getting your I-20

Initial I-20

All students who will need an F-1 student visa in order to attend Stetson University will need to first be fully admitted, then provide the following documentation:

• Completed Certification of Finances
• Proof of Funding (most commonly a bank statement)
• Photocopy of Passport Information Page

Students will need to show that they can provide the funding for one year of study at Stetson University, which includes the Undergraduate Tuition & Fees for one year as well as approximately $4,200 for books and other expenses. This amount includes any and all scholarships that the student is awarded by Stetson University or other entities.

Students who are not fully admitted or who cannot prove that they have sufficient funding for one full year at Stetson University will not receive an I-20 for their F-1 student visa application.

Transferring an I-20

Any students who are already in the United States studying under an F-1 student visa will need to provide the above information. In addition, we will need the following:

• Photocopy of Current I-20
• Photocopy of Current F-1 Student Visa

Once all of the forms have been received, the student will receive a Transfer Clearance Form so that he or she can arrange for their current institution to release their SEVIS record to Stetson University.

Transfer Students

Applications to transfer to Stetson University operate on a rolling admission so it is best to apply as early as possible, but applications will continue to be accepted until the class is filled. Transfers may also enter in the spring semester (deadline is December 15), and in the summer session (deadline is May 1). Transfer candidates will receive notification of admission on a rolling basis upon completion of the application. An online application is available on our website at www.stetson.edu/admissions. 

Transfer Application Process

Transfer applicants must submit the following:

Music students must also satisfactorily complete an audition.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to also submit a writing sample, which can be a graded paper or an essay. Transfer students with less than 30 college credits have the option to have her/his SAT or ACT scores considered, but this is not required. Letters of recommendation are also welcome but not required. 

Admission Requirements

A student who wishes to transfer to Stetson University must

Detailed information regarding Stetson University transfer policies can be found in the Records, Grades, and Registration section of this Catalog.

Stetson University honors suspensions of the last institution, and credit will not be awarded for work taken during the suspension period. It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide the Office of Admission at Stetson University with official transcripts of work from all colleges attended. Concealment of previous attendance at a college or university is cause for cancellation of admission and registration. 

Exit, Absence, and Readmission of Former Students

Students who wish to permanently leave the University must complete the Approved Leave/Exit Form, available on the Campus Life and Student Success website. This includes students who intend to transfer to another institution.

Additionally, students who wish to take a leave from the University during a Fall or Spring semester (excludes summer term) with an intent to re-enroll in a future term, must also complete the Approved Leave/Exit Form. Students then apply for readmission by completing the Application for Readmission Form on the Office of Admissions website.

Students who attend other colleges or universities during an absence must have their official transcript(s) sent to the university for evaluation. Transfer credit for such courses is subject to the University’s regular transfer policies as stated in the Pre-College Credit and Transfers section of this Catalog.

After an absence of more than two regular semesters (excluding summer term), students must meet the degree requirements of the University Catalog in effect at the time of re-entry.

Students may be asked to provide additional documentation pending the reasons provided for your Leave of Absence.  This may include proof of employment, medical documentation, counseling support letters, and/or recommendations of resources needed for support to return.

In accordance with the Higher Education Re-authorization Act, Stetson University will readmit veterans at the same academic status in which they left the institution, provided the veteran notifies the college in advance of their deployments and are not absent from the institution for more than five years, cumulatively. Those students who fail to provide advance notice may re-enroll after providing proof of service.