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Undergraduate Admissions

In reviewing applications for admission, the following items are considered by the Committee on Admissions.

Freshman Admission

1) Course Selection and Performance

Most emphasis is placed upon student course selection on the secondary level and grades earned in those subjects.

All applicants must have completed a minimum of 16 units in academic subjects which should include the following:

  Required Units* Recommended Units
English 4 4
Modern or    
Classical Language 2 3
Science    
(Lab Sciences) 2 3
Mathematics** 3 4
Social Studies 3 3
Electives 2  

At the discretion of the Committee on Admissions, quantitative requirements may be modified for applicants with strong records who show promise of doing well in college work.

** This includes algebra, geometry, intermediate algebra/trigonometry (sequence 1,11 and 111).

2) SAT and/or ACT Scores

Applicants are required to submit one of these entrance examinations to the Committee on Admissions. Scores are not considered solely but do give an indication of a student’s potential.

3) Recommendations

Grades and examination scores alone do not adequately evaluate a student’s ability to be successful in college. Therefore, appropriate character references are considered important when reviewing candidates for admission.

4) Personal Statement

Applicants are required to submit a brief, personal statement detailing their reasons for applying to Manhattan College.

5) The General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.)

is accepted in lieu of a high school diploma for admission to some programs of the College.

6) In rare instances the Admissions Committee will consider waiving the above requirements for admission. Please contact the Office of Admissions for further information.

Campus Visit

A visit to the Manhattan campus is strongly recommended to all prospective students. By contacting the College in advance, (1-800-MC2XCEL), students can arrange to have an interview with a member of the admissions staff, have a tour of the campus, speak with faculty and visit with other students. Tours are offered Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Saturday morning information sessions are also available during the fall for high school seniors and their families.

Early Decision

Students who submit a completed application for admissions prior to November 15 and indicate consideration for this special program will be notified of a decision by December 1. Occasionally the Committee will request additional information before making a final decision. This option is available to students who consider Manhattan College their number one choice of college. If accepted under this program, it is assumed the student will enroll at Manhattan College and withdraw all pending applications for admission to other institutions.

Scholarship Applicants

All freshmen applicants seeking consideration for merit-based scholarships must have their application for admission on file by February 15th.

Early Admission

Manhattan will consider for admission any qualified student upon completion of the junior year. Students must present required academic credentials and qualifications for admission. It is important to note that secondary school graduation requirements must be met, and a diploma issued, to qualify for this program.

Notification of Admission

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis. When a student has filed a completed application (high school transcript, College Board scores, and recommendations) with the Admissions Office, the committee will act upon it. In many cases, before a decision is made students will be asked to submit copies of their senior grades in January. All acceptances are contingent upon the successful completion of senior year of high school and proof of graduation.

Transfer Admission

1.  With an Associate Degree (A.A. or A.S.)

2.  Students who are transferring without an associate degree or with an A.A.S. degree must submit:

1.   A high school transcript.

2.   Official college transcripts,

3.   A list of courses presentlybeing taken,

4.   College catalogs from all institutions previously attended,

5.   Financial aid transcripts from all collegiate institutions previously attended (even if you only took one or two courses while in high school).

With this information the Admission Committee will make a preliminary evaluation of a student’s record. The applicant will be notified of acceptance or rejection. He/she will also be informed of the number of transfer credits granted. Ordinarily transfer students must earn fifty percent (50%) of the credit for graduation at Manhattan College. “P” grades may be accepted for credit but only if they represent a “C” or better as defined by the regulations of the institution of origin. All of the above credentials must be on file in the Admissions Office before an application is reviewed for admission. All acceptances for students who have work in progress at another college or university are conditional upon successful completion of work in progress without withdrawals and with a minimum index of 2.50. Transfer Articulation Agreements do exist with a number of two-year colleges, i.e., Rockland Community College, Westchester Community College, Nassau Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Bergen Community College, and Morris Community College.

Readmit Students

Any student who unofficially or officially withdraws from the College must be readmitted through the Admissions Office. Credits earned at other institutions after leaving Manhattan College will be evaluated according to existing school policies.

Students returning after an official leave of absence will be readmitted by the Dean’s Office that initially granted the leave. Only students making satisfactory progress will be granted an official leave of absence. Students transferring to another school within the College must first seek clearance from the original Dean.

Veterans

Any veteran who has not attended college since being discharged from the service and who has a high school or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) and has been satisfactorily interviewed by an admissions counselor is eligible for admission to Manhattan. Special tutoring is available and every effort is made to work out a program of study which meets the student’s potential. Advanced standing will be granted in appropriate circumstances after consideration of previous college work.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Life, located in Memorial Hall, is responsible for arranging any V.A. benefits. Veterans should bring a copy of their DD 214 form to the office with their letter of acceptance. The eligibility for the V.A. benefits is for the semester or session for which they are in attendance. To continue to be eligible for these benefits in subsequent semesters, veterans must report to the Office of the Vice President for Student Life to renew the certification of attendance at the beginning of each semester for which they are registered.

The following information is important:

a.  Veterans are paid benefits for actual credit hours in attendance. Twelve semester hours is considered full time for V.A. benefits.

b.  Any change of status—withdrawing from a course, non-attendance in a particular semester, failure to register for a subsequent semester—must be reported by the student to the Vice President for Student Life immediately.

Programs of Credit By Examination

Credit by examination will be awarded only for courses in consonance with the prescribed or elective courses applicable to the degree. Such credit is awarded and will be so identified on the student’s record after he/she has registered and is attending class. The academic dean concerned determines courses which are equivalent to the examinations taken.

Total credit by examination to entering, as wells as to enrolled students, in any or all programs in which the college participates may not exceed one-fourth of the total number of credit hours normally required for the degree. No grades are assigned to courses credited.

Advanced Placement

Students who have successfully taken one or more of the Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board may ask for advanced placement and/or credit. The Dean of the School to which application is made will decide on the amount of credit to be granted and the college course or courses that may be omitted in place of the Advanced Placement Tests.

Scores of 3, 4 or 5 are required for such action. The decision to grant advanced placement and/or credit is based on such other factors as the Advanced Placement’s equivalence to the content of courses in the College’s curricula and the applicability of the area of advanced study to the prescribed or elective requirements of the program in which the student is enrolled.

Advanced placement and/or credit action is taken only if the student has specifically requested such consideration and has submitted official score reports from the College Board. No grades are assigned to courses credited.

At times, students with an Advanced Placement score of 3 who intend to major in the area where they have taken an Advance Placement course, or who are required to take upper-division courses in the same area, will be advised to repeat the college’s course rather than accept Advance Placement credit. This advice is based upon the college’s past experience with such students, and applies especially to students pursuing upper-division courses in the natural sciences.

College Proficiency
Examination Program (CPEP)

Manhattan College is a participant in the New York State College Proficiency Examination Program (CPEP) and subscribes to its policy of credit by examination regardless of the individual’s background or formal preparation. For further information, contact:

CPE Program

Cultural Education Center

Albany, New York 12230

College Level Examination
Program (CLEP)

Newly matriculated students may apply for CLEP credit for examinations taken prior to matriculation. Students enrolled in the college will not be given credit for CLEP tests. The minimum CLEP score for credit will be 50. A higher minimum score for “level 2” credit for foreign languages will be required. The college will follow the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines for awarding credit. Individual departments should examine the minimum score and number of credits for CLEP examinations. For further information, contact:

College Board

P.O. Box 6600

Princeton, NJ 08541

International Baccalaureate

Manhattan College welcomes applicants with International Baccalaureate credits or the International Baccalaureate diploma. Manhattan will grant credit for higher-level examination scores of 5, 6, or 7 if the examination is in an appropriate academic area. The Dean of each School will make the decision on appropriate academic level in consultation with individual departments.

Student Status

Qualified persons may be admitted to either matriculated or non-matriculated status.

1.  Matriculated Students: These are persons who have completed the equivalent of a regular college preparatory program in high school or beyond and who meet the normal entrance requirements of the program for which they have applied. They are considered to be candidates for a Manhattan College degree in the program for which they are enrolled at the college. In order to be matriculated, applicants must present to the Admissions Office an application for admission with all supporting documents to indicate that they are qualified for matriculation to the college. Only the Admissions Office can allow applicants to matriculate.

2.  Non-matriculated Students are academically qualified persons following one or more regular courses without the intention of earning a degree at Manhattan College. Applicants wishing to enroll as non-matriculated students must apply to the Admissions Office and present evidence that meet requirements for admission. In exceptional circumstances, the Committee on Admissions may invite a candidate who does not qualify for matriculated status to enter the college as a non-matriculated student for a limited period of time. The student must in turn demonstrate adequate preparation and motivation to pursue the program of studies for which he/she has applied. Non-matriculated students may not pursue more than 9 credits at Manhattan College. The student’s program will be prescribed by the Dean of the school in which the student will be registered. Qualified non-matriculated students who wish to pursue more then 9 credits at Manhattan must apply formally to the Admissions Office for matriculation.

Non-matriculated students may fall into either of the following categories:

1.  Non-degree Students: students who are matriculated at another institution and wish to follow a course or courses for credit at Manhattan College. All such students must present to the Admissions Office official correspondence noting good standing, together with an authorization to follow courses from a responsible official of the college at which they are matriculated.

2.  Auditors: Non-matriculated students may audit one or more course with the clear understanding that no college credit will be earned. All persons must apply to the Admissions Office and present evidence that they are qualified to follow the courses which they request.

International Students

Manhattan College requires applicants for admission whose native language is not English to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To apply for this test, write to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540 U.S.A.

In addition, the College also encourages, and at times requires candidates to file scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Transcripts submitted for admission must be official and must be translated into English. Applicants should contact World Education Services Inc., P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, New York 10011 for a course by course evaluation of credits.

Prior to an I-20 form being issued to an accepted student, the accepted applicant must submit a letter of credit from a United States bank or a certified check from a financial institution in the amount of one semester’s tuition. If the student is accepted as a resident student at Manhattan College a certified check from a financial institution, covering the cost for one semester of room and board fees must be submitted to the Admissions Office. It is strongly encouraged that international students file this material with the application for admission before a decision is rendered by the Admissions Committee.

Source: Manhattan College Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2008 (Current as of date of publication)