Undergraduate Admissions

Please click on the line below for information:

• Admissions Requirements
• Admissions Procedures
• Admissions Test
• Transcripts
• Health Certificate
• Transfer Credit Policy
• English and Math Placement
• Modern Language Policy
• International Student English Proficiency
• International Applicants
• Readmission/Reactivation

Basis of Selection
All prospective students are considered impartially on the basis of academic and personal qualifications and potential. Brenau University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, handicap or national or ethnic origin.

Certain majors reserve the right to apply technical requirements for admission and have supplemental applications. Applicants in the following fields should consult the appropriate section of this Catalog for further admissions information:  Performing/Fine Arts; Nursing; Occupational Therapy; and Education regarding their program of choice.

Admissions Requirements

Freshman applicants will generally be admitted who satisfy the following criteria:

• Successfully completed a college prep high school curriculum at a regionally accredited high school with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (Please see GPA calculation section)
• Composite SAT scores of at least 900 (ACT of 19)
• Subscores of SAT 450 for both reading & math or ACT of 18 for both reading and math

Evidence of satisfaction of these requirements shall only be in the form of an official, sealed transcript from authorized school personnel or an official, sealed G.E.D. certificate. Applicants who completed high school more than seven years prior to application are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores. SAT/ACT scores must be sent directly from the testing company or be included on official transcripts. All home schooled students will be asked to complete an interview as well.

Transfer applicants who present a minimum GPA of 2.0 (please see GPA calculation section) will ordinarily be granted admission. Students who have successfully completed over 30 semester hours of college level work at a regionally accredited post-secondary institution may be exempt from the need to submit high school transcripts or standardized test scores. Evidence of satisfaction of these requirements shall only be in the form of an official, sealed transcript from authorized school personnel or an official, sealed G.E.D. certificate. Some programs have more stringent cumulative GPA requirements. Applicants should consult the appropriate section of this Catalog for further admissions information. Brenau encourages applications from these prospective students in the belief that its academic programs and personnel can assist them in completing their baccalaureate programs. These students add desirable diversity and heterogeneity to the student body. Applicants for advanced standing shall submit an official, sealed transcript and some applicants will be asked to submit a statement of good academic standing from each institution previously attended. Transfer students generally must be in good standing as of the date of application. In some cases, letters of recommendation may be submitted or requested, in addition to the other documents.

GPA Calculation for Admission:
Freshmen Applicants: For admissions purposes and Honors Program selection, all AP, Honors and IB courses and content courses in English, mathematics, social sciences, science and foreign language are used to calculate GPA for admissions to Brenau University. Additionally, .5 credit is added for any Honors or Pre-IB course and 1 credit is added to any AP and IB courses. No elective or professional coursework is included in GPA calculation.

Transfer Applicants: Institution GPA and Institution credit hours for each institution previously attended is used to calculate GPA for admission to Brenau University. No development or pass/no-credit grades are included in admission GPA calculation.

Admissions Procedures

Application  Applicants must complete an application for admission. This application must be submitted with a non-refundable application fee of $35.00 to the Office of Admissions at the appropriate Brenau campus.  To apply on-line, go to www.brenau.edu/apply.

Documents can be mailed to:

Brenau University
Office of Admissions
500 Washington St. SE
Gainesville, GA 30501

Admissions Test   Each applicant for admission must submit either SAT or ACT scores. If the student is transferring from another university or college with more than 30 hours, these tests are not required. Admissions tests may be waived if a first-time applicant has completed his high school or G.E.D. program over seven years prior to the date of application for admission. If admissions tests are waived, the applicant may be required to take the Brenau English placement test and Brenau Math placement test. Test scores are not required for admission to the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program. International students may submit an English language proficiency score instead of SAT or ACT.

Transcripts   If a student is a first-time university applicant, an official, sealed high school transcript or G.E.D. certificate must be submitted. An official copy of the final high school transcript, showing the date of graduation, must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions prior to enrolling for the second semester. Transfer students must submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended. An official copy of transcripts, showing completed coursework (no in progress grades), must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions prior to enrolling for the second semester. Failure to submit transcripts from all colleges previously attended, through omission or misrepresentation, will disqualify the applicant.

Health Certificate   All students living on campus must complete Student Health Forms. In addition, Brenau denies all responsibility for injuries or other problems that may result from failure to properly advise Student Services personnel of the student’s medical status through the filing of the health certificate.

Brenau University Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy

A grade of “C” or better is required for transfer. Transfer credit is awarded for courses taken at regionally accredited institutions and can not be awarded based on placement tests or non-class credit awarded at other institutions. Please click here for possible transfer equivalency information.

1. The university will accept ALL liberal education courses regardless of the date of satisfactory completion unless the liberal education course is also a major course. 
2. The university will accept major courses taken within 15 years unless listed below. 
3. The university will accept major courses taken within 5 years for the specific courses listed below. 
4. Exceptions to any policy above will go to the dean of the appropriate school for a final decision. 
5. Courses with technical content (e.g. computer programming/applications, etc.) taken over five years prior to admission may not be eligible for transfer. 
6. Changing majors after an admissions decision has been made may alter the eligibility of course that have been already designated on a previous program plan. 
7. Developmental Studies and English as a Second Language Courses do not transfer. 
8. In no case will a student be permitted to transfer more than 65 semester hours of credit (97 quarter hours) from two year institutions to a Brenau program. This 65-hour limit represents the total of all credit taken at all 2 year colleges the student might have attended before applying for admission to Brenau. This 65-hour maximum does not affect Brenau’s minimal residency requirement. 
9. Departments reserve the right to require a student to take a prerequisite course for a Brenau course at a four year institution. 

 Five Year Exception Rule Applies to the following Courses:

English and Math Placement

English   Students who have not completed EH 101 (Written Communication) or its equivalent prior to admission will be placed into developmental EH 099 (Writing Laboratory) or college-level EH 101 based on ACT or SAT scores. The minimum ACT/SAT score for placement into EH 101 Written Communication is ACT English 20 or SAT Critical Reading 490. Students who do not meet the EH 101 placement criteria (based on SAT or ACT scores) may contest the placement. The student may contact the Humanities Department to take the web-based Accuplacer English Placement Test. Students who do not have an ACT/SAT score will take the web-based Accuplacer English Placement Test unless they choose to place themselves in EH 099. Contact the Humanities Department to make arrangements to schedule the test. Based on the results, the student will be placed into either EH 099 or EH 101. In order to progress to EH 102, a grade of C or better is required for EH 101.

Note: EH 099 carries no academic credit for financial aid purposes and enrollment status (part time, full-time), but does have associated laboratory fees.

Mathematics  Placement into mathematics courses is determined by placement exam only for all students. Women’s College and Undergraduate School students can take the math placement exam available via the internet through Canvas under Placement Tests. Based on the results of the placement exam, the student will be placed into college level math (MS 101, MS 111 or MS 210) or remedial level math.

The Placement Exam cut-offs for math placement are:

• MS 098, Survey of Basic Mathematics - placement exam score less than 20
• MS 099, Basic Algebra - placement exam score of 21-54
• MS 101, College Algebra - placement exam score of 55-79
• MS 111, Pre-calculus/Trigonometry - Math placement exam score of 80 or higher
• MS 210, Calculus - Calculus placement exam score of 80 or higher.

Note: Students who place into MS 210 may not elect to take MS 101 or MS 111 without departmental approval. Students who place into MS 111 may not elect to take MS 101 without departmental approval.

Note: MS 098 and MS 099 carry no academic credit for financial aid purposes and enrollment status (part time, full-time), but do have associated laboratory fees.

Modern Language Requirement

Brenau University’s Liberal Education (LE) Modern Language Requirements and Related Policies

LE Requirement:

All Brenau University students entering as of fall 2011 must meet a Liberal Education Modern Language requirement by demonstrating at least the high beginner level of language competency at the 102/112/115 level. The following policies apply to this requirement:

Exemption:  Exemption of the language requirement may be achieved by:

1. Transfer of equivalent credit from an accredited university.
2. CLEP test in languages taught at Brenau, for credit. CLEP of other languages will provide exemption but without credit. (We can not award credit if we do not teach the class at Brenau.) Contact: Brenau University Learning Center at 770-534-6133
3. BYU FLAT test available in 50 languages; test must be proctored, takes about 2.5 hours, and costs $50 plus a $20 proctoring fee. Scores of 60% or above will provide exemption only. NO credit is awarded for FLAT tests. In the Gainesville area, the Brenau Learning Center offers the FLAT test; students in other locations must make arrangements with a local public library or college testing center to proctor, pending approval of the Chair of the Brenau Department of Humanities or his designee. Contact: Brenau University Learning Center at 770-534-6133
4. Students entering with an AA degree (as defined by the Brenau Registrar) or with a previous bachelor’s degree are exempt from any additional Liberal Education requirements per Brenau policy.

Advanced Placement:
Students unsure of their skills and not wanting to take the longer exemption tests may elect to take the WEBcape “snapshot” placement test ($10, online, immediate results in approximately 20 minutes). They may be placed into 101, 102, 201 or an approved study abroad 215 immersion experience based on the results. If placed into a 102/112/115 or 200 level course, that course would complete their language requirement.

Cut-off scores are:

* Students concerned that the test does not reflect their knowledge of the language may request further evaluation by a faculty member who can evaluate listening, speaking and/or writing skills to determine if enrollment in a higher level course is advisable.

Heritage speakers:  “Heritage” speakers and others with advanced skills in a second language may NOT take 101; they should seek advanced placement or exempt the language requirement as described above.

International Students:  International students accepted to Brenau with an official TOEFL score will be exempt from the modern language requirement with the assumption that English is their second language.

Communication :  The 102/112/115language course fulfills the Liberal Education requirement in Modern Languages. All other language courses taken by the student (101 or 200 level) may count toward the Communication requirement. Motivated students are encouraged to continue study at the 201 or 215 Applied Language level including study abroad.

English Language Proficiency for International Students

In addition to the regular admissions requirements, international students must also submit proof of English proficiency. All international students must meet at least one of English proficiency requirements below.

1. ACT English score of 19
2. SAT verbal score of 450
3. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 550 on the paper-based test
4. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 213 on the computer-based test
5. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 79 on the internet-based test
6. IELTS score of 6.5
7. grade of “C” or better in EH 101 and EH 102 from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university

In addition, the English placement test will be administered to all international students admitted on a student visa in order to place students in the appropriate English course.

International Students who meet this proficiency also meet the Liberal Education Modern Language requirement.

Tuition Deposit  To confirm acceptance and ensure enrollment, a non-refundable deposit is required of all Women’s College students. On-campus housing is assigned in the order that tuition deposits are received and priority is given to the student with the earliest deposit date in the room selection process. Several Nonresidential programs require deposits also.  Please refer to the appropriate section of the catalog for this information

Additional Information Regarding Admission

If admission deadlines cannot be met for reasons beyond the student’s control, the undergraduate applicant for The Undergraduate School can be permitted to register for a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours under Conditional Enrollment. This option is not available to Women’s College applicants. All twelve credit hours must be completed within one semester. The student’s admission file must be completed and acceptance granted by the end of the conditional enrollment period in order to allow continued enrollment. Any student receiving a cumulative grade point average below a 2.0 during the conditional enrollment period and who meets all admission requirements will be accepted on probation. The conditionally enrolled student must understand that acceptance to Brenau University is not guaranteed.  Financial Aid cannot be awarded until the student is fully admitted; therefore students choosing conditional enrollment should be prepared to meet all financial obligations. Conditional Enrollment is not permitted for students requesting an I-20.

International Applicants

Brenau is authorized under the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Applicants needing a student visa must complete the admissions procedures outlined below before a Form I-20 will be issued. Conditional enrollment is not permitted for students requesting an I-20. Students requiring an F1 student visa are not eligible for admission to Online Studies. Permanent resident aliens who are proficient in English will provide a copy of Resident Alien Card and follow the regular admissions policies described earlier in this section of the Catalog.

Non-immigrant alien students are required to follow the regular admission procedures, submit an International Supplemental Application and provide proof of English proficiency.

Credential Evaluations  Credential evaluations of transcripts in languages from countries other than the U.S. must be completed by a NACES accredited professional service and the student will bear the cost of this evaluation. Evaluations by an outside agency such as World Education Service or Education Credentials Evaluators are required to assure accuracy in determining U.S. equivalents and the student will pay for that service. Information regarding these services may be obtained by contacting the admissions office.

Financial Requirements  All international students, residential and commuting, must have sufficient funds to pay full university tuition fees, textbooks, living expenses, transportation expenses, health insurance and other incidental expenses while attending a university in the United States. Documentary evidence of means of financial support must be provided to Brenau for admission purposes and issuance of the Form I-20. This evidence is also required by the United States Embassy or Consulate when applying for a student visa to enter this country.

United States Immigration and Naturalization Service Laws and Regulations  It is the student’s responsibility to know and to comply carefully with all non-immigrant visa requirements as stated under the United States laws under Section 101 (a) (15) (F) (I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Admissions Committee

The Admissions and Financial Aid Committee functions in an advisory capacity to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President of Enrollment Management with regard to cases in which the stated criteria are not met; in which special admissions situations warrant a collective decision; in which probation or suspension issues are raised; and in which readmission after exclusion is desired. The Committee shall also periodically review the admissions criteria and their execution, thereby ensuring compliance with overall Brenau admissions standards. The student may be officially accepted as a student with one or all of the following conditions being imposed.

1. Accept the applicant on a probationary basis for one or more semesters.
2. Accept the applicant on condition that remedial or developmental course work be completed at this or another college or university.

Academic Exception

Brenau University recognizes that an academic record completed over five years ago may not appropriately reflect the current academic abilities of the applicant. Applicants who have not met the minimum GPA for entry into the Associate’s and Bachelor’s degree programs may petition to have special consideration during the admissions decision process.

To be eligible for consideration, the applicant must provide the following information:

• Application for admission
• Explanation regarding what circumstances hindered their academic progress in the past, how their current situation is conducive for academic success, and how a Brenau degree will assist them with their future goals and plans.
• Current Resume
• Official Transcripts from all institutions attended (students with more than 60 attempted hours will not be considered for academic exception)

The Admissions Committee or designated representative will review the Academic Exception application and make the final admissions decision.

Catalog policies for Suspension and Probation apply. All courses will remain on the student’s transcript and be calculated within their Cumulative GPA.

Readmission after Leaving Brenau

A student whose enrollment at Brenau has been interrupted for any reason for two or more semesters, including summer, must reapply for admission. If students have enrolled in other colleges or universities during the period since attending Brenau, the applicants must also submit official, sealed transcripts of all academic work undertaken at the other institutions.

A student whose enrollment in a Brenau undergraduate or graduate program has been interrupted for more than one semester and is applying for re-admission to the same program within two years of the last semester of attendance, must submit a Reactivation Form to the Office of the Registrar or print out the form from the Registrar’s Office website and fax to (770) 538-4790. The student must be in good academic and financial standing, not have attended any other school during the period of interruption and meet current admission requirements. Students may complete their degree under their previous program plan if it is still in effect. Note that academic departments reserve the right to make changes or additions to the program plan of a reactivated student. 

Students re-applying after the two-year time limit will be evaluated based on the catalog in effect at the point of readmission. Transfer credit will be examined based on current transfer credit criteria and a new program plan drafted based on the program plan in effect at the point of readmission. Students must be in good academic and financial standing, have no record of misconduct and must meet current admission requirements. Students returning to Brenau beyond the two-year time limit must submit a new application via www.brenau.edu. Students who have attended another institution after they attended Brenau must re-apply and submit official, sealed transcripts from each school attended. They will be re-evaluated based on current catalog transfer credit policy and academic curriculum guidelines.