Undergraduate Admissions

Please click on the line below for information:

• Academic Exception
• Admissions Requirements
• Denied Admission Appeals
• International Applicants
• International Student English Proficiency
• Readmission/Reactivation
• Transcripts

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 who have successfully completed a college preparatory high school curriculum at a regionally accredited high school with a minimum GPA of 2.75 will generally be admitted to Brenau University. (Please see GPA calculation section.) Evidence of satisfaction of this requirement shall only be in the form of an official transcript from authorized school personnel or an official G.E.D. certificate.

All home schooled students will be asked to complete an interview as well.

Submission of SAT/ACT scores, while not a requirement for admission, will be considered if submitted for higher scholarship consideration and also may be required of athletes for eligibility. SAT/ACT scores can be used for English placement. Scores must be sent directly from the testing company.

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, the university uses the cumulative weighted GPA listed on the official high school transcript. If there is not a weighted GPA on the transcript, the unweighted GPA will be used. GPAs listed as numeric averages will be converted to grade point average using a standard formula. If no GPA is listed, the GPA will be hand calculated using the school’s grading scale. Grades listed on the transcript are most often weighted by the school, so no additional weighting will be added during calculation. All courses are used to calculate GPA for admissions to Brenau University.

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

Admissions Procedures

Application  Applicants must complete an application for admission. To apply online, go to www.brenau.edu/apply.

Documents can be mailed to:

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

Transcripts   If a student is a freshman or transfer student with less than 30 semester hours of earned credit, 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 month, day, and year of graduation, must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions prior to the 1st day of classes of the term applied for. 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, may disqualify the applicant, and may affect financial aid awards.

Tuition Deposit

To confirm acceptance and ensure enrollment, a 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. Deposits are fully refundable prior to May 1. If the deposit is made on or after May 1, the deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is applied to the student’s account.

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  Transcripts from institutions that are not accredited by a U.S. Regional Accrediting body must be completed by a NACES accredited professional service, and the student will bear the cost of this evaluation. If the transcript is in a language other than English, the student may be required to have the transcript translated. Some credentialing agencies offer this service. 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.

English Language Proficiency for International Students

In addition to the regular admissions requirements, non-native English speaking students on an international visa must also submit proof of English proficiency.  A non-native English speaker is considered to be anyone from a country whose primary language is NOT English.  Students who feel they qualify for an exemption must submit a request and supporting information to the Office of Admissions in order to be considered for admission.  (For example, a student from France who attended an English high school may be exempt from the testing requirements or a student may be personally interviewed by a designated and qualified representative of the University who recommends admission based upon mastery of spoken and written English.) In general, application for such exemptions is not encouraged.  All international students must meet at least one of the English proficiency requirements below unless exempted as previously described.

1. ACT English score of 19
2. SAT Verbal score of 450
3. SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 500
4. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 497 on the paper-based test
5. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 170 on the computer-based test
6. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 59 on the internet-based test
7. IELTS score of 5.5
8. Students who test below a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 70 on an internet-based test must enroll in an ON Language program their first year.
9. grade of “C” or better in EH 101 and EH 102 from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
10. Students must have their language proficiency evaluated by ON Language using their standardized language fluency test that combines sections of the Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) with ON Language-developed assessments to determine placement into various instructional levels. Under this scenario the university may require intensive English instruction within the residing country and at Brenau University. The university hereby appoints specific individuals as “designated and qualified” representatives of Brenau who can recommend admission to the university based upon a student’s potential to master spoken and written English: the university president, the provost and vice president for academic affairs, the vice president of enrollment management, the vice president of student services, the president or CEO of ON Language, TESOL instructors (employed by Brenau or by ON Language), and the director of international initiatives.

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

English language proficiency needed for admission into Brenau University:

Admissions Committee

The Admissions and Financial Aid Committee functions in an advisory capacity to 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.This committee only meets at the request of the Vice President for Enrollment Management.

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 Associates and Bachelors 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.

Denied Admission Appeals

Students who receive a denial letter from undergraduate admissions must follow the steps below to begin an appeal process. The denied student must provide a one-page letter that contains the following:

• Detailed academic and personal background, including specific reasons why the student’s current academic record is below Brenau’s academic threshold for admittance.
• Rationale for consideration as a candidate for an amended admissions decision, which grants admission for a specific term and program
• Verifiable evidence that the student is on a positive trajectory through continued successful employment and/or life changes that merit consideration beyond academic records.

At least one letter of recommendation on behalf of the student must be mailed to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville GA, 30501. No more than two letters may be submitted.

If additional test scores need to be submitted for consideration, notify the admissions office that they are en route.

A face-to-face interview with the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management is not required, but may be scheduled.

Within ten days of receipt of the required documentation, the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management will notify the student of the results of the appeal.

Readmission after Leaving Brenau

Reactivation: A student whose enrollment in a Brenau undergraduate or graduate program has been interrupted for more than one semester and wishes to re-enter the same program at Brenau, within two years of the last semester of attendance, will submit a Reactivation Form to the Office of the Registrar. A link to the form is available on the Registrar’s Office website. 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. Note: Nursing students may not reactivate. All nursing students who have a lapse of enrollment must contact the admissions office and the School of Nursing to reapply for admission. Students who were suspended for disciplinary reasons may  not reactivate. These students must contact the Dean of Students for readmission.

Defer Start-Term: If a student wishes to defer their start-term to a later term, the student may submit a Reactivation Form (referenced above) to the Registrar’s office. This form has an option to defer the student’s start-term - as long as the term is not past summer semester. Students may not defer past summer semester because a new catalog goes into effect each fall with the beginning of the academic year. These students must reapply for admission so they can be re-evaluated for the correct catalog.

Reapplication: If students enrolled in other colleges or universities during the period since attending Brenau, they do not qualify for reactivation. In those cases, the applicants must reapply for admission and submit official, sealed transcripts of all academic work undertaken at the other institutions.

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.