Admission

Requirements and Procedure

Xavier University of Louisiana uses a holistic assessment of a student’s completed application when making admissions decisions. All submitted information is considered by the admissions committee before a decision is made.

Deadlines: Applications and supporting documents must be submitted by the following dates:

* Applications for admission received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis. The on-line application is the preferred method to apply to Xavier. For additional information, please visit the admissions website at http://www.xula.edu/admissions.
**The College of Pharmacy acceptances are made for the fall term only.  The College of Pharmacy utilizes a centralized application system under PharmCAS (www.pharmcas.org).  PharmCAS allows an applicant to upload an application, grade information, references, a statement of interest, PCAT scores, and TOEFL scores (where applicable). For evaluation, the applicant sends directly to PharmCAS official transcripts from all U.S. schools attended and foreign transcript evaluations. After a PharmCAS application is complete, the College of Pharmacy will invite qualified applicants to submit a supplemental application and other materials for admission consideration to the Xavier University College of Pharmacy.
*** See Graduate Programs  sections for information about admission deadlines for the summer.

Freshman Applicants

The following are needed for freshman applicants:

1. An application for admission.  The University expects that answers to all questions on the application be accurate and truthful. Any falsification of information in the application may result in denial of admission or University disciplinary action.  No application fee is required.
2. A transcript of credits from a regionally- and/or state-accredited high school indicating that the applicant has, or will complete, a minimum of sixteen academic units of secondary school work in college preparatory subjects, which include:
    

   	English	4 units
   	Mathematics	2 units (including Algebra)
   	Science	1 unit
   	Social Science	1 unit
   	Languages or Other Academic Electives	8 units

Students interested in majoring in any of the mathematics-related fields (accounting, computer science, mathematics, mathematics education, or any of the natural sciences) ideally should have four years of college preparatory mathematics courses, including two years of algebra, one of geometry, and at least one semester of trigonometry. It is recommended that natural science majors, in addition to the above-mentioned mathematics courses, should also take biology, chemistry and physics in high school.

In special instances where one or more of the required documents are unfavorable or the high school is unaccredited, the applicant may be admitted on a restricted schedule at the discretion of the Office of Admissions.

Veterans and other applicants who have not completed a regular high school program but who have taken the General Education Development test and obtained satisfactory grades or who have completed a Home School curriculum or earned a high school diploma from a school that has not received accreditation from a state or a regional accrediting association may be admitted by presenting official General Educational Development (GED) examination scores, HiSET® exam scores, or a high school equivalency certificate in lieu of a complete high school transcript. This certificate may be obtained through the official state agency.

3. Scores from the College Board (SAT) or the American College Testing Program (ACT). Scores from tests taken between April of the junior year and January of the senior year are preferred.
4. Recommendation from high school counselor.

Admissions Policy

Applicants to Xavier University of Louisiana may receive one of two types of admission: regular and conditional. Students will receive conditional admission if their application is accepted by the Office of Admissions and their ACT/SAT scores indicate that they are required to enroll in two or three developmental courses.

1. Students who receive conditional admission and are required to complete three developmental courses will receive regular admission and be allowed to enroll at Xavier after having completed at least one of the following:
   • Enroll and pass at least two of the required developmental courses prior to regular enrollment, OR
   • Send in new ACT or SAT scores to the Admissions Office that indicate scores in the regular admission range, or a requirement of at most one developmental course, OR
   • Take the designated placement test and receive placement scores that indicate scores in the regular admission range, or a requirement of at most one developmental course.
2. Students who receive conditional admission and are required to complete two developmental courses will receive regular admission and be allowed to enroll at Xavier after having completed at least one of the following:
   • Enroll and pass at least one of the required developmental courses prior to regular enrollment, OR
   • Send in new ACT or SAT scores to the Admissions Office that indicate scores in the regular admission range, or a requirement of at most one developmental course, OR
   • Take the designated placement test and receive placement scores that indicate scores in the regular admission range, or a requirement of at most one developmental course.
3. Students who receive regular admission and are required to complete one developmental course SHOULD do one of the following:
   • Enroll and pass this course prior to the fall semester, OR
   • Send in new ACT or SAT scores to the Admissions Office that indicate scores in the regular admission range, OR
   • Take the designated placement test and receive a placement score that does not require developmental coursework.

Developmental Courses

Students who score in a certain range on the ACT or SAT are required to enroll in a developmental course at Xavier. These developmental courses are:

• ENGL 0990, Preparatory English ,
• MATH 0990D, Preparation for College Mathematics ,
• RDNG 0992i, Intensive Reading and Study Skills , and
• RDNG 0992, Reading and Study Skills .

Developmental or intensive course placement ranges can be found on the Xavier Admissions webpage at: http://www.xula.edu/faq/new-student.html.

Transfer Applicants

A student transferring from an accredited institution must present an official copy of his/her transcript from each college-level institution attended. Secondary school records and standardized test results (ACT or SAT) may be required if the applicant has fewer than 20 semester hours of transferable credit. A recommendation from an appropriate university official (e.g., Registrar, Academic Dean, the Dean of Students, etc.) at each institution attended as a full-time student may also be required. The transfer applicant should be in good standing with the institution or eligible to return to it. A resume’ or statement of activities may be required to account for extended periods of non-enrollment. Additional requirements may apply for admission to the College of Pharmacy (See the College of Pharmacy  section for more information).

The University grants transfer credits only for courses in which the student has received a grade of “C” (2.00/4.00) or better and which are comparable to Xavier courses. Ordinarily the grades of transfer courses are not computed in the Xavier GPA. Not more than one-half of the credits required for the degree may be transferred from a community and/or junior college.

The University will confer a degree only after the applicant has fulfilled the requirement of at least 25% of course credit in residence. Eighteen hours of the 25% must be in the major with a grade of “C” (2.00/4.00) or better in each course and nine hours must be in the minor. At most 50% of transfer credit can be fulfilled from community college credits.

Transfer Students with an Associate Degree

Transfer students with an associate degree from a community college or who have achieved junior standing at a four-year institution will generally be required to take six hours of coursework (one three-hour course in African American and Diaspora Studies and one three-hour course in Theology) to complete core curriculum requirements towards a Xavier degree. However, the requirement for one or both courses will be waived if the transcripts show that a student has taken at least three hours of coursework in that area.

Applicants to Graduate Programs

Applicants to graduate programs should see the Graduate Programs  section for more information.

Special and Non-Degree Seeking Students

Students may apply as non-degree seeking candidates at Xavier University and, if admitted, are eligible for enrollment on a semester by semester basis in the undergraduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Applications must be submitted and approved through the Office of Admissions.

Visiting (Transient) Students who are degree-seeking students at another institution may apply for enrollment at Xavier.

Special Non-Degree Seeking Students are those students taking courses for enrichment or other special purposes. Students in this category must be high school graduates and provide evidence that they are eligible to take college-level courses at Xavier. Students in this category may accumulate a maximum of eighteen semester hours.

Concurrent Enrollment Program: The Xavier University Concurrent Enrollment Program allows a limited number of high school students with high-level academic ability to earn up to 12 semester hours of college credit while enrolled in high school.

Admission of Visiting and Special Non-Degree Seeking Students: The Office of Admissions will review the application, and if approved for admission, the applicant will receive official approval for enrollment. These students do not qualify for Xavier administered federal financial aid. Visiting students may inquire at their home institution for information on financial aid. Students may seek other sources of external financial aid.

After Admission

Upon notification of acceptance to the University, an applicant will be required to submit a deposit which will indicate intent to attend the University. This deposit is deducted from tuition, fees, books, etc. and is in addition to any room deposit required of residence hall students.

Health Clearance is required. This requirement and all necessary forms can be found at: http://www.xula.edu/student-health/documents/ProofofImmunizationComplianceForm.pdf.

Prior to enrollment, accepted freshmen must submit a final high school transcript that certifies graduation from high school. Transfer students must submit transcripts of work that was in progress at the time of admission.

International Applicants

In order to be considered for admission to the University, applicants should submit the following items prior to the appropriate deadline:

1. OFFICIAL school records/transcript;
2. Letter of Recommendation from a secondary school official;
3. Original certificate of national examination taken by the student;
4. Notarized Affidavit of Support indicating who will pay the cost of attendance;
5. Non-English speaking natives are required to submit official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores.

APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE MARCH 1 FOR THE SUMMER OR FALL TERMS AND SEPTEMBER 1 FOR THE SPRING TERM.

The I-20 form for immigration purposes will not be issued until ALL of the above-listed conditions have been satisfied. Students have found it beneficial in expediting passport procedures to have these requirements satisfied six to twelve months prior to their intended date of departure. If an applicant has had previous college work outside the United States, the applicant must have his/her records evaluated by a private agency. The recommended agency is listed below with its address.

Educational Credentials Evaluators
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400

An applicant must contact this agency and request an application form.

U.S. federal financial aid is not available to international students attending Xavier University of Louisiana. However, international students should review the list of financial aid/private scholarship opportunities on the university website to determine eligibility. International students should also investigate funding resources from organizations outside of the university in such categories as:

1. Academic/Professional Organizations,
2. Advocacy Associations,
3. Corporations or Corporate-Sponsored Foundations,
4. Employer/Parent’s Employers,
5. Foreign Governments,
6. Foundations,
7. Loans, and
8. Non-Profit Organizations

International students in need of financial assistance should begin the university selection process at least one year in advance to allow sufficient time to research and identify possible sources of funding, sit for required examinations, and complete the admission and financial aid applications before the stated deadlines.

Veterans

Xavier University is approved for the training of Veterans, War Orphans, and Children of Veterans under those provisions of law currently enforced. Returning veterans should obtain from their local Veterans Administration Office a Certificate of Eligibility to be presented to the Registrar for completion.

Veterans and others eligible for benefits under this legislation must comply with and meet all standards as set forth in this catalog and in particular those regarding:

1. Probation and Dismissal,
2. Attendance,
3. Conduct, and
4. Withdrawal.

No veteran will be considered to have made satisfactory progress when he/she fails or withdraws from all subjects undertaken when enrolled in two or more subjects.

A veteran transferring from another institution will not be certified to the V.A. unless he/she has been counseled by the V.A., if he/she was suspended for unsatisfactory progress or conduct. A veteran student suspended from this institution will not be certified to the V.A. until counseled by the V.A. professional counselor.

A veteran who takes a course that does not count toward the chosen objective (normally a degree) is not considered to be making progress. A veteran cannot repeat a course he or she has passed unless his/her program requires a higher grade (e.g., a grade of “C” or better).

Readmission

A student who desires readmission to the University after an interruption of attendance for any reason must apply for readmission following the procedure outlined at: http://www.xula.edu/admissions/Apply/readmit.html.

Course Placement

The Office of Admissions at Xavier University has the initial responsibility for placement of students entering the University. SAT/ACT, high school GPA in selected courses, and placement tests in English, mathematics, reading, and languages are the main tools in this placement. Results of these tests are used to place students into regular, honors, or developmental freshmen courses.

All entering freshmen whose ACT or SAT scores indicate that further testing is warranted should take placement tests in the recommended areas. Also, transfer students with fewer than 60 semester hours, or whose academic program at Xavier still requires course work in mathematics or English, may be required to take placement tests. Students who do not take the tests in the recommended areas will be required to complete developmental courses in those areas. The Xavier Student Academic Success Office coordinates placement testing.

Failure of a placement test in any area invalidates transfer credit in that area.

Credit by Examination

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

Students with AP scores of 3 or higher can generally receive college credit for the appropriate course at Xavier. College credit is also awarded for students who participated in IB programs and made the scores required by Xavier. Some medical and dental schools do not accept credit for AP and IB. Therefore, students should consult with their academic advisor regarding these courses. In order to receive credit, students should have official AP or IB scores sent to the Admissions Office.

An appropriate math score on the ACT or SAT allows a student to by-pass pre-calculus (MATH 1030 ) and enter calculus (MATH 1070 ). Upon receiving a grade of “C” or better in MATH 1070  taken at Xavier University of Louisiana, the student will receive 4 semester hours of credit for MATH 1030 .

For information regarding by-pass credit in a world language other than English, refer to the University’s Language Placement and Credit Policy found on the University’s website at: http://www.xula.edu/cas/documents/lang_placement_pro.pdf.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Credit may also be awarded in certain subject areas on the basis of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Subject Examinations. However, credit will not be awarded on the basis of CLEP General Examinations. For information regarding which CLEP subject exams are honored by the University, the minimum passing scores, and their equivalent courses, visit: http://www.xula.edu/cas/credit-clep.html.  A maximum of thirty semester hours of credit by examination will be accepted toward the degree.