Admissions

IX. ADMISSIONS AND FINANCES

ADMISSIONS

The Admissions Office seeks to identify, attract, recruit, and enroll high school graduates whose attributes are complementary to Bethany College, while communicating the values, opportunities and benefits of our private, liberal arts based education.

Bethany College welcomes inquiries and applications from individuals interested in the College’s academic programs and co-curricular experiences and activities. Individual attention is given to each student applying for admission to Bethany, and each application is considered based on the student’s academic qualifications and probable success at Bethany. This is determined by the evaluation of several criteria, including: grade point average, course selection, class rank, trends in grades, and standardized test scores.

To be well prepared for Bethany College, it is highly recommended that high school students pursue:

• four years of English, • three years of mathematics, • three years of natural science (including two years of laboratory science), and • three years of social science.

Students are also encouraged to complete at least one year of a foreign language, preferably two.

Other factors are considered when evaluating a candidate, including:

• participation and leadership history in school and community activities, • artistic and musical ability and promise for potential art and music majors, and • the interest a student demonstrates regarding Bethany

College.

Campus Visits and Interviews

Bethany encourages students to visit the campus and meet with a variety of people. The campus visit is highly recommended as this is an opportunity to exchange information and discuss degree programs and campus life. Appointments with faculty, financial aid staff, instructors and coaches can be arranged to suit individual interests. The Admissions Office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays during the academic year 9 a.m. to noon, by appointment.

To schedule a campus visit, please contact the Admissions Office at (785) 227-3380, Ext. 8113 or (800) 826-2281.

Application for Freshmen Admission

Students may apply for admission to Bethany at any time after the junior year in high school. The application process is on a “rolling” basis, which means that as soon as Bethany has received all materials, the Admissions Committee will review the application. Applicants will generally receive an admissions decision within a few days from the time all materials are received by the Admissions Office.

All candidates for freshman admission must submit the following:

• Application for Admission, • Official secondary school transcripts (with at least six semesters), • All official post-secondary school transcripts.

Students seeking admission to Bethany must meet following criteria to be considered: minimum high school GPA of 2.0 (based on a 4.0 scale).

Occasionally the Admissions Committee may admit students on a conditional basis. Individual attention will be given to candidates who demonstrate academic promise but need strengthening in a skills area.

The VP of Enrollment Management and the Admissions Committee will evaluate the student’s academic history to determine if the student is accepted “conditionally” or denied acceptance.

The Admissions Office will confirm all student high school transcripts arrive with a CEEB code, as well as the high school seal and/or signature. If a transcript is from a high school that lacks a CEEB code or seal/signature, the Admissions Office will investigate to confirm the school is recognized by the state department of education or home school association. The Admissions Office may request a copy of the student’s diploma at any point in the admission process. If a diploma is determined invalid, a GED may be required for admission consideration. All final high school transcripts showing a graduation date must arrive in the Admissions Office by the first day of the semester. If they are not received by said date, Bethany College reserves the right to administratively withdraw the student. Bethany has adopted a test-optional pathway towards admission for qualified incoming first-time freshmen students applying for fall 2022. Admissions to Bethany is based on holistic review of the student’s application materials, and significant weight is placed on achievement in high school.

Application for Transfer Admission

Bethany welcomes applications from students interested in transferring from other colleges. Any student who takes postsecondary classes from a regionally accredited institution after graduating from secondary school will be classified as a transfer student. Transfer students will be directly admitted to Bethany College if they meet the following criteria:

• Cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or above in all academic courses (courses will be determined by the Admissions

Office).

All candidates for transfer admission must submit the following:

• Application for Admission • Official final secondary school transcripts • All official final post-secondary school transcripts

All official transcripts must be received by Bethany College by the first day of the semester. Students who do not provide all official transcripts will not be eligible to enroll in subsequent semesters. Transfer course work from regionally accredited institutions will be added to the student’s Bethany College transcript from official copies only.

However, if a student intends to participate in intercollegiate athletics during the first semester at Bethany, ALL transcripts must be received by the Registrar’s Office before the student will be evaluated for the purpose of determining eligibility for participation; this includes the transfer student’s high school transcript.

Transferring Credit to Bethany. Transferring Credit to Bethany College. Bethany accepts credits from regionally accredited institutions for all courses transferred for which the student earned a grade of D- or higher. Transfer credit for all courses required to complete the Bethany College Core Experience and all majors, minors, and degree programs must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Courses transferred for credit toward Bethany College Core Experience College Requirements or electives are approved by the Registrar. Courses transferred for credit toward the major, minor, or degree programs are approved by the major coordinator.

A maximum of 62 semester hours of college work will be accepted from regionally accredited community colleges. Bethany College will not accept, for credit, any activity course unless an equivalent or similar course is offered at Bethany for credit. See Section III, Transfer Credit Policy, page 34.

Reverse Transfer Program. Bethany College participates in the Reverse Transfer Program with Kansas community colleges. This program allows students to receive an associate’s degree from their most recent community college by combining credits earned at Bethany with credits earned at the community college. Students who transfer at least 45 credit hours to Bethany from Hesston College, Donnelly College, or any Kansas public community college are eligible to participate in the Reverse Transfer Program.

Students who wish to participate must sign a Reverse Transfer Program Agreement. At the end of each semester, Bethany will submit an official transcript (at no cost to the student) to the most recent community college for each student who has earned at least 60 cumulative hours and is participating in the Reverse Transfer Program. Once the student has met all degree requirements for their declared associate’s degree, the community college will award and mail the associate’s degree to the student.

Students must request an official transcript bearing the degree be sent to the Registrar’s Office at Bethany College. Upon receipt, the degree will be noted in the student’s permanent record and the transcript evaluation will be updated accordingly and the student notified.

Associate of Arts or Science Block Transfer. An Associate of Arts or Science degree is designed to prepare students for transfer with advanced standing into Bachelor of Arts programs at four year colleges. Courses taken for completion of an A.A. or A.S. degree constitute a broad general education program, and share many of the goals and outcomes of the Core Experience Program at Bethany College.

Therefore, a student who is transferring to Bethany College and has graduated from a regionally accredited college with an Associate of Arts degree or an Associate of Science degree (or an Associate of Applied Science degree for students wishing to transfer into the Digital and Media Arts Department), may transfer as a block all the courses completed as part of the requirements for these degrees and is excused from completing the College Requirement component of the Bethany College Core Experience. Students will choose from the remaining required Core Experience courses as outlined on the Bethany College Core Experience worksheet (page 20).

Four Year Degree Block Transfer. A student who is transferring to Bethany College and has graduated from a regionally accredited institution with a four year degree may transfer as a block all the courses completed as part of the requirements for that degree and is excused from completing the College Requirement component of the Bethany College Core Experience. Students will choose from the remaining required Core Experience courses as outlined on the Bethany College Core Experience worksheet (page 20).

Advanced Credit Standing

A student may be awarded a total of 32 semester hours for Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, or a combination thereof for achievement in prior learning.

Bethany College recognizes high academic achievement by reviewing student participation in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program of The College Board. Students who receive a score of three or higher on an AP examination may receive college credit and/or be exempt from an equivalent Bethany College course.

College credit may also be granted through the examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Credit for the examinations is awarded based upon the recommended scores of the American Council on Education (ACE).

Bethany College also participates in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Students with a score of 5 on Standard Level examinations and/or 4 or higher on Higher Level examinations will be awarded Bethany College credit.

Questions regarding AP, CLEP and IB credit should be directed to the Chief Academic Officer.

Initial Enrollment Reply Dates

Enrollment in classes are awarded on a first-come first served basis. Bethany College asks that all admitted students who wish to enroll notify the College before May 1 by submitting a $150 enrollment fee to the Admissions Office. After Bethany receives the enrollment fee, course registration can take place. Should a student make the decision to cancel their enrollment, an enrollment fee refund is available if the request is received in writing to the Admissions Office by May 1 for fall enrollment and by December 1 for spring enrollment.

Initial housing assignments are also awarded on a first-come first-served basis. The completed Housing Registration Form for new students must be received by the Student Development Office before August 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring Enrollment. Housing assignments will only be made after Bethany receives this completed form.

Finally, each entering student is required to have a medical information packet completed. The medical information packet is completed online and the information required to access this system will be sent out to the student after submitting the enrollment fee. The medical information packet should be completed before August 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring enrollment.

Special Admission

International Students. Bethany College values a learning environment enriched with many cultures and ethnicities. International students interested in attending Bethany should apply using the Application for Admission. Official secondary school and any college transcripts must be submitted. It is the students responsibility to have their transcripts from all schools (secondary or college) outside of the USA submitted to InCred for evaluation and have the results forwarded to Bethany College. The student will incur all costs associated with the InCred evaluation. If the student is from an English speaking country, results from ACT (composite score of 18) or SAT (score of 940 on the Evidence-based Reading & Writing + Math) must be sent to Bethany. If English is not the native language of the student, results from English proficiency tests must be submitted to Bethany from the following options: TOEFL: minimum score of 525 on paper-based test (pbT) or 71 on internet-based test (ibT); IELTS: minimum score of 5.0.; PTE: minimum score of 50. In addition, students must also send a signed affidavit of support, a copy of their passport with photo, and a bank letter showing adequate funds to cover the cost of the first year of school at Bethany or $50,000 minus Bethany Award (must be in English and US Dollars).

GED Students. Students with GED scores must complete the Application for Admission and submit their GED scores to the Admissions Office. Students with GED composite scores of 500 or more will be strongly considered for admission to Bethany College. Students who took the GED prior to January 2000, with GED composite scores of 50 or more, will be strongly considered for admission to Bethany College. Admission is not guaranteed.

Veterans. Armed Forces Veterans wishing to attend Bethany College must apply using the Application for Admission and must comply with all admission requirements for either freshman or transfer students. Bethany College has been approved for veterans training by the Kansas State Approving Agency. The following policies governing credits have been adopted:

• Bethany College will grant credit for War Training and

Experiences in conformity with the recommendations of the American Council on Education in establishing a uniform and equitable system for evaluating and accrediting service training programs. • Credit may be allowed for college courses completed through the Armed Forces Institute by correspondence study, off duty classes, and self-teaching courses. • Individuals who can demonstrate competence by passing tests prepared by the College will receive credit as determined by the College.

Veterans who wish to apply for financial assistance through the Veterans Administration should contact their nearest Veterans Administration Office. The Financial Aid Office coordinates all VA documentation for Bethany College.

Readmission of Service Members

Bethany College readmits students who are service members and cannot attend school due to military service. The student will be enrolled in the same academic status as they had when last attending or accepted for admission. The student must notify Bethany of their military service leave and intention to return to school by written notice.

Swede Bridge Program for Area High School Students. Mature high school students are often ready for college, academically and socially, before they graduate from high school. Area high schools and Bethany College cooperate in a program which enables students to participate at both levels. The principals and guidance counselors of area high schools work closely with Bethany College to ensure the quality of the students and of the program.

Qualified junior and senior students may enroll in Bethany courses (for college credit) while completing their high school curriculum. Students wishing to enroll in the Bridge Program must have the recommendation of their high school counselor. The cost per credit hour is $100. The amount of credit students can take through the Bridge Program will be limited to two courses per semester, with a maximum number of eight courses under the program.

High school freshmen and sophomores of exceptional ability and preparation may petition for admission into the Bridge Program. Two letters of recommendation (from the principal or guidance counselor and one teacher), addressing the