Undergraduate Admissions

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First-Year Students

Our mission at Stetson University is to provide an excellent education in a creative community where learning and values meet, to foster in students the qualities of mind and heart that will prepare them to reach their full potential as informed citizens of local communities and the world. Stetson University seeks students who dare to be significant, are hardworking, open-minded, caring, and serious about learning. Students who will thrive in the classroom, add diversity, and bring vibrancy to the University, where impassioned teaching and engaged and rigorous learning are the hallmarks of the Stetson experience.

Stetson University centers her academic and campus life programs on a rigorous examination of values that support meaningful lives. We seek academically talented individuals with leadership potential and records of personal growth and community service. We review each application individually and holistically, taking into consideration qualities of academic preparation (which includes both rigor of course work and grades and the quality of the learning environment), extracurricular activities, leadership potential, potential for adding a unique perspective, individual talents and character, recommendations, and with the exception of test score optional candidates, ACT or SAT test scores.

Stetson University values academic achievement, commitment to personal values, leadership, character, talent, and initiative above standardized testing. Therefore, submitting standardized test results for admission consideration is optional. Score optional consideration is an alternative for students who believe that their test scores do not adequately reflect their level of academic achievement and/or predict their potential.

However, if test scores are a good reflection of ability, they should be submitted and they will be considered along with the other application items. In most instances, students will choose the traditional method, which includes submission of standardized (SAT or ACT) test scores. Once enrolled, SAT and ACT test scores will need to be evaluated to ensure that first-year students are placed in the appropriate classes during their first year. Stetson codes are as follows: SAT Code #5630 and ACT Code #0756.

Stetson University Office of Admission operates on a rolling admission, so it is best to apply as early as possible. The university offers priority application dates for the fall term on November 1, January 15, and March 1. To preserve the faculty-student ratio, classes are limited. The university reserves the right to close the class earlier than dates specified if enrollment goals are met before those dates. Applications should be submitted early in the first semester of the high school senior year. To obtain an application, please visit the Stetson University website at www.stetson.edu/admissions; call 800-688-0101; or e-mail admissions@stetson.edu. Use of the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) is also encouraged.

Application Process

First-year applicants must submit the following:

  1. Completed application and $50.00 non-refundable application fee;
  2. Official secondary school transcript;
  3. A writing sample;
  4. Letter(s) of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher;
  5. SAT or ACT scores (unless choosing the score optional process)

Optional additional submissions provide opportunities to strengthen the application for admission.

Students may submit any or all of the following:

  1. Additional recommendations
  2. Portfolio of materials representative of student achievements

Music students must also satisfactorily complete an audition.

First-Year Admission Requirements

Admission to the University is competitive. Stetson seeks students with the potential to contribute to and benefit from the University’s diverse range of academic and co-curricular programs. Admission decisions are based upon the following:

  1. Academic record, including course selection, grade point average and quality of the learning environment;
  2. Standardized testing, if submitted;
  3. Applicant’s writing sample: essay/short answer questions/graded paper, if submitted;
  4. Demonstrated leadership potential; co-curricular and service-related activities; and the potential to contribute a unique perspective to the University community.

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, the secondary school program 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.

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

Accepted students who plan to attend Stetson are required to make an enrollment deposit to indicate an intention to enroll. The non-refundable deposit is $500 all students. Students with less than 22.5 units (or 90 credits) are required to live on campus unless they meet criteria of the exemption policy. These criteria are listed on the Residential Living and Learning website.

The enrollment deposit is due by May 1 and is not refundable.  Candidates who are accepted after May 1 and plan to attend Stetson are expected to pay the enrollment deposit within two weeks after acceptance. Applicants are encouraged to pay the deposit after acceptance in order to have access to the housing application and other enrollment forms.

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

A student should proceed as follows:

  1. Completed application and $50 (U.S.) nonrefundable application fee;
  2. Submit results of the TOEFL or IELTS;
  3. Provide secondary school transcripts, English translations, and a professional equivalency evaluation of these transcripts; and
  4. Submit the International Student Certification of Finances                                                                                                                  

Optional additional submissions provide opportunities to strengthen the application for admission. Students may submit any or all of the following:

  1. SAT or ACT scores;
  2. A writing sample: personal essay, short answer questions, or graded high school paper; and/or
  3. Letter(s) of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher.

Students wishing to transfer college credit to Stetson University must also provide the following:

  1. An official transcript from all universities attended; and
  2. A certified equivalency evaluation of those transcripts.

When all of these documents are received by the Office of Admission, Stetson University will determine the appropriate transfer credit to be awarded.

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 $2,000 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 on-line application is available on our website at www.stetson.edu/admissions.

Transfer Application Process

Transfer applicants must submit the following:

  1. Completed application and $50.00 non-refundable application fee
  2. Transcripts from all colleges attended
  3. An official high school transcript is also required of a transfer applicant who has completed fewer than 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit hours.

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

  1. Have completed a semester of academic work at a regionally accredited college or university at the time of entry, and not be concurrently enrolled in high school,
  2. Be in good standing and eligible to continue or be readmitted at the last institution attended, unless all work has been completed or the student has graduated from that institution,
  3. Have earned at least a “C” cumulative grade point average (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in a college parallel program. Most successful transfer candidates have earned at least a 3.0 grade-point average, and
  4. Meet all criteria for first-year admission if less than 30 college-level credits have been earned post-graduation from high school.

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.

Internships and ELE

At Stetson University, we promise you can take the ideas and theories you learn, research and study in the classroom, and test them out. It’s called putting “theory to practice.”

At Stetson University, it’s known as an Experiential Learning Experience. As a comprehensive university, Stetson prioritizes experiential learning in all of its schools and colleges, both graduate and undergraduate alike. Stetson defines experiential learning as:

  • Experiential learning is a pedagogy (by means of a designed learning experience) that takes the theory learned in the classroom and puts it into practice through real-world learning experiences that relate to your academic coursework.

Stetson University fulfills this promise to you by providing different ELE opportunities that meet the requirements of the colleges, schools and programs, however students are responsible for meeting all requirements to qualify for their experiential learning.

Many students do it through internships, working with the companies and industries that have the potential career paths they plan to take, but internships are just one way to participate in experiential learning. Others participate in research with faculty, sometimes leading to personal credit on academic papers or a chance to present or co-present research outcomes at regional and national conferences.

  • In the College of Arts and Sciences, the entire student body conducts a senior research projects in areas of study or career opportunity. Once a year we literally take the entire day to celebrate student research and outcomes at “Stetson Showcase.”
  • In the School of Music, students put “theory to practice” through public performances and venues, sometimes taking their talents on regional road trips.
  • In the School of Business Administration, all business majors are required to have at least two internships or other theory-to-practice opportunities that can include study abroad, study away (an internship or field study within the United States), community engagement, student leadership position, music performance, senior research or faculty-student research project.

Academics and Faculty

At Stetson University, we promise you will have an opportunity to experience excellent faculty in outstanding and distinctive programs.

Our pledge to you is that you will experience outstanding academics and mentoring relationships, and have the opportunity to participate in one of Stetson’s distinctive academic programs within our colleges and schools. Stetson delivers on this pledge by emphasizing teaching, learning and the faculty-student relationship (not ratio).

Here’s how Stetson’s colleges and schools deliver their own special commitments.

Stetson University College of Arts and Sciences supports a traditional liberal learning environment with a curriculum that leads students to mastery of their subjects while developing and sharpening critical thinking skills.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, our faculty and staff want you to develop your potential. Success is measured by the extent you surprise yourself in your ability to exceed your expectations. Arts and Sciences is also known for its innovative curriculum in behavioral sciences, such as psychology and counseling, environmental science, and aquatic and marine biology.

Other examples include The Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience, which brings together policy and science of water management; and computer science, with its innovative process for teaching the practical aspects of cybersecurity and hacking, and its annual Central Florida Tech Faire + Hackathon.

The College of Arts and Sciences is in the planning stage for an expansion of science and collaborative space with the recent $18 million donation from two longtime Stetson supporters, Hyatt and Cici Brown. A partnership with AdventHealth University makes this move a significant one for health science students.

Stetson’s School of Business Administration is well-known for its high-impact programs in sales, entrepreneurship, finance and accounting/taxation. It is also known for its ELR, or Experiential Learning Requirement. All students in the School of Business Administration are required to participate in real-world experiences, either as an internship in their area of study, or a study abroad or study away (domestic) program. There are alternative opportunities through a community engagement program that tests students’ leadership abilities and skills in a collaborative environment.

Stetson’s School of Music is unique in Florida, if not the entire U.S., in that it is an undergraduate-only school that requires students to participate in performance opportunities (it’s in their handbook!). As an undergraduate-only program, students never have to take a back seat to graduate students in any public performance or learning experience. Undergraduate students leave Stetson with a full complement of performance roles in their area of study. The School of Music also is well-known for its vocal training programs in both operatic and choral, and its emphasis on performance and academics. Many of our students go on to graduate school to pursue a deeper understanding of their specific performance discipline. At Stetson, we don’t limit participation in music to only declared music students. We know the love of music crosses all disciplines, so we continue to encourage students from all of our schools and colleges to participate.

Our College of Law delivers a high caliber of commitment to the study of law in its J.D. and L.L.M. programs. The College of Law is ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in Advocacy and No. 3 in Legal Writing. The College of Law delivers its promise to prepare students for the practice of law by blending legal doctrine with practical training, and encouraging their participation in more than 400 clinics and externships they offer, as well as housing centers for Advocacy and Elder Law, and institutes for Biodiversity and Veterans Law.

Explore

At Stetson University we offer more than 100 areas of study and we believe in cross-disciplinary fields of study. Take the time to explore the different majors and minors we offer, and you'll realize that many students leave Stetson with double majors or majors and minors from both the College of Arts and Sciences and Music or School of Business Administration. It’s certainly not unheard of for students to graduate with a major in chemistry and minor in music.

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.