ADMISSIONS

General Information

The Office of Admissions is responsible for conducting the University's student recruitment program, the admission of all students, and veterans' and international student affairs. Applications for admission can be obtained from this office or via the Internet at www.nicholls.edu.

Admission requirements for graduate programs appear in the section on GRADUATE STUDIES in this Bulletin.

Application Fees

A non-refundable application fee of $10 for United States citizens and $30 for others will be assessed each person applying for admission or readmission to Nicholls. The check accompanying the application should be made payable to Nicholls State University.

Students who apply online will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $20 plus a $5 convenience fee.

American College Testing Program

The ACT is administered at Nicholls and other designated testing centers five times yearly. Applicants may pick up a registration packet in the Testing Center or Admissions Office or may write to ACT Registration Unit, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, IA 52243. Students may also register or request ACT scores via the Internet at www.act.org. The University does not accept test applications nor can it forward applications to the ACT Registration Unit. The Scholastic Aptitude Test [SAT] will also be accepted. An ACT/SAT Concordance will be used to determine equivalent scores. Specific questions about individual scores should be directed to an academic advisor or the Testing Center.

Immunization Requirement

All enrolled students at Nicholls (born after January 1, 1957), must provide written proof of immunization confirming: two doses of measles (rubeola) vaccine, at least one dose each of rubella (German measles) and mumps vaccine, and a tetanus/diphtheria booster received within the last ten years.

This immunity can be documented by:

• written evidence of immunization against the disease,

• serological evidence of immunity to the disease, or

• written evidence of a doctor-diagnosed case of the disease.

All students must have on file in the University Health Services Office, a completed Proof of Immunization Form. Blank forms are available in the Admissions Office and in Health Services or on the Internet at www.nicholls.edu. The form should be completed and signed by a physician or parish/county health unit.

Draft Registration Requirement

In accordance with Louisiana R.S.17:3151  following is a requirement for admission:

1. Except as provided in parts 2, no person who is required to register for the federal draft under the federal Military Service Act shall be eligible to enroll in the institution until such person has registered for such draft and provides evidence of having done so. The applicant must also sign and swear to, under penalty of perjury, a statement of selective service status, verifying either:

   1. that the applicant is already registered for the draft, or

   2. that the applicant is not required to register because he is

   1. under eighteen years of age,

   2. in the U.S. armed forces on active duty, other than in a reserve or national guard unit, or

   3. excused from registration for any other reason allowed by federal law (reason must be stated).

2. A veteran of the armed forces of the United States may submit a copy of his discharge papers or his discharge certificate as evidence of compliance with this policy.

Resident and Nonresident Classification

The residence status of an applicant or student is determined in accordance with University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors regulations and is based upon evidence provided in the application for admission and related documents. Residence status is determined by the Office of Admissions after the completed application for admission has been submitted. The location of the home and the place of employment are especially important. Residence status may not be acquired by an applicant or student while residing in Louisiana for the primary purpose of attending school or college. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the University with the evidence deemed necessary to establish residence status. The following definition of residency applies:

A resident student for tuition purposes is defined as one who has abandoned all prior domiciles and has been domiciled in the State of Louisiana continuously for at least one full year (365 days) immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which resident classification is sought. "Domicile," as the term is used in the context of residence regulations, is defined as an individual's true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation at which the individual remains when not called elsewhere for labor, studies, or other special or temporary purposes, and the place to which the individual returns after an absence. A nonresident student for tuition purposes is a student ineligible for classification as a resident.

The individual's physical presence within Louisiana for one year must be associated with substantial evidence that the intent was to maintain a Louisiana domicile. Physical presence within the state solely for education purposes without substantial evidence of the intent to remain in Louisiana will not be sufficient for resident classification regardless of the length of time within the state.

However, discrete categories of individuals may be defined as special residents if such action is deemed to be in the best interest of Louisiana or as mandated from time to time by the federal or state government.

1. An applicant living with his or her parents is classified as a resident if the parents have established a bona fide residence in Louisiana. Ordinarily, a parent is considered to have established a residence in Louisiana if he or she actually resides and is employed full time in the state. A parent who is unable to be employed or who is a homemaker may be considered to have established a residence in Louisiana if there is convincing evidence that he or she continuously resides in Louisiana. If only one parent qualifies as a resident of Louisiana, the student shall be classified as a resident, provided that the student resides with the parent who is a Louisiana resident. An individual who resides in Louisiana and is employed full time in another state or an individual who resides in another state and is employed full time in Louisiana may be classified as a resident. In such cases, appropriate documentary evidence must be presented.
2. A student living with his or her parents and who enrolls as a non-resident is classified as a resident if his or her parents move to Louisiana and acquire residence as defined in these regulations.
3. A person may be classified as a resident of Louisiana at the end of twelve consecutive months of residence if he or she has been employed in Louisiana and if during that period he or she has not been registered in an educational institution for more than six semester hours or its equivalent in any semester. Anyone who is unable to be employed and has not been registered in any educational institution for more than six semester hours or its equivalent in any semester may acquire residence in Louisiana by providing convincing evidence of continuous residence in Louisiana for twelve consecutive months immediately preceding registration.
4. A student who is married to a Louisiana resident may acquire the residence status of his or her spouse.
5. People who live in Louisiana for at least two years, exclusive of military service, and then move to another state or foreign country retain the right to enroll themselves or any of their dependents as a resident for a period equal to the number of years they resided in Louisiana, but the right shall expire upon the person in question living for a period of two years in another state or foreign country.
6. A member of the armed forces currently stationed in Louisiana and his or her dependents shall be classified as Louisiana residents. Service personnel stationed in Louisiana immediately prior to release from active duty may enroll themselves or their dependents as residents during a period not to exceed six months after the date of release, provided that the term of active duty shall have been no less than twelve consecutive months.
7. Members of the armed forces who were residents of Louisiana immediately prior to entering the armed forces retain the right for themselves or any of their dependents to be classified as residents as long as they are in the armed forces and for a two-year period after leaving the armed forces.
8. A resident of Louisiana does not lose the right to be classified as a resident during a period of employment in a foreign country.
9. An alien who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence as an immigrant (proof of such status by possession of Form I-551-Alien Registration Receipt Card) and who has established residence under any of the foregoing provisions shall be declared a resident of the state.
10. An applicant shall be declared a resident if either parent is a graduate of Nicholls State University. A student that graduates with an associate or higher degree may be classified as a resident for subsequent enrollment at that same institution (this applies only to U.S. citizens).
11. A student who graduates with an associate or higher degree from Nicholls State University may be classified as a resident for subsequent enrollment at Nicholls. This applies only to U.S. citizens.

Waiver of Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has authorized exemptions of out-of-state tuition for certain non-residents of high ability. For more information about such waivers, contact the Office of Records and Registration.

Admission Classifications, Requirements, and Procedures

No student shall be denied admission to the University because of race, color, age, sex, creed, disability, or national origin.

Falsification of academic records, academic forgery, altering official academic documents, misusing University documents, or withholding information relating to admission, transfer credits, academic status or records may be cause for a student’s dismissal.

First-Time Freshmen

Effective Fall 2001
Minimum criteria for admission to the bachelor’s degree programs are as follows:

1. ACT composite score of 19, OR
2. Graduated in the upper 50^th percentile of the high school graduation class, OR
3. A high school GPA of 2.0 on 17 ½ core units:

• English - 4; courses emphasizing grammar, composition, and literature (English I, II, III, and IV)
• Mathematics - 3; two units of algebra; one unit of geometry or a higher level of mathematics for which algebra is a prerequisites.
• Social Studies - 3; one unit must be American History.
• Science - 3 - chemistry, physics, and biology preferred.
• Electives - 4½; recommended from foreign languages, social studies, science, mathematics, speech, fine arts, and computer literacy.  No more than three elective units may be in vocational subjects.

TOTAL:       17½

Students who meet at least one criterion with no developmental classes will be placed in a baccalaureate program and advised in the senior college.

Students who meet at least one criterion with at least one developmental class will be placed in a baccalaureate program and advised in Junior Division.

Students who do not meet any of the criteria will be placed in an associate’s degree program until they complete 24 hours of non-developmental hours (100 level and above) with a 2.0 GPA.

Graduates of secondary schools approved by the Louisiana State Department of Education are eligible for admission. Applicants for admission who are graduates of unapproved secondary schools or of home-schooling programs may be admitted by scoring at least a 17 composite ACT score.

All first-time freshmen seeking an academic degree must have a complete and official transcript mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the high school and official ACT scores sent by ACT. General Education Development (GED) graduates are required to have official copies of their credentials on file. The ACT composite score or its equivalent will be used to assign first-time students to the appropriate admission level.

GED graduates, as well as graduates of unapproved high schools and of home-schooling programs, will be admitted into either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program based on their ACT scores.

A first-time student must use a regular application form. The application form should be mailed or brought to the Office of Admissions with the non-refundable application fee of $20 (U.S. citizens) or $30 (others). Students may also submit an application via the Internet at www.nicholls.edu.

Levels of Freshman Admission

There are four levels of admission to Nicholls State University for first time entering freshmen working on a degree:

1. Honors Admission
An applicant who has achieved a minimum ACT composite score of 24 with no developmental course placement is allowed to enter the senior college of choice. This student may also be eligible for the Nicholls Honors Program.

2. Regular Admission
An applicant who places into English and Mathematics 101 or higher, with no Developmental Reading placement may enter the senior college of choice. An applicant whose ACT or placement scores qualify for placement in developmental English, Reading, or Mathematics will enter Junior Division.

3. Provisional Admission
An applicant who has not provided an official transcript from an accredited high school and a set of scores for the American College Test (ACT) or its equivalent will be admitted provisionally until these records are received.

4.Conditional Admission
An applicant who has scored less than 17 on the ACT or its equivalent, and who has either graduated from an unaccredited, unapproved high school or who has completed a home schooling program is admissible on a conditional basis: by the end of the first two regular semesters, the student must have completed successfully all developmental course work attempted and must be in good academic standing (not on probation or suspension). Failure to fulfill these conditions will result in being suspended from the University.

Early Admissions Program

High school students who have completed six semesters of high school and wish to complete their senior year requirements by attending Nicholls may do so if they have a B average (3.0) or better, have an ACT composite score of 25 or higher, and are recommended by their high school principal.

Upon earning 24 semester hours of University credit in courses numbered 100 or higher, the student may be granted a high school diploma by the appropriate school board upon presentation of a copy of his or her Nicholls transcript and a recommendation form provided by the Office of Records and Registration at Nicholls.

Students accepted into this program may choose the disciplines of their interest and will have a faculty adviser. The students will be enrolled in their respective college and subject to the rules, regulations, policies, fees, and expenses applicable to all University students. Campus housing with food service is available to early admission students.

Credit attempted or earned while in this program is entered on the student's permanent academic record at Nicholls. Credit earned in this program is transferable to another college or university, depending upon the policies of the institution in question.

High School Senior Program

High school students who have completed six semesters of high school and wish to take some university course work, but intend to complete their senior year at their high school, may do so if they have the recommendation of their high school principal or guidance counselor, have a minimum 2.5 average, a minimum ACT composite score of 19, and will complete 16.5 core units (as defined by the TOPS Program) by graduation. Students who have a minimum 3.0 average, a minimum ACT composite score of 19, who not complete 16.5 core units (as defined by the TOPS Program) by graduation, may be considered for admission if recommended by their school counselor or principal. Students may enroll during the summer session between their junior and senior years or during their senior year.

Students accepted into this program may choose the disciplines of their interest. Academic advising is provided by the respective college. Students in this program are subject to the rules, regulations, policies, fees, and expenses that apply to all students at the University. They are eligible for campus housing with food services.

Credit attempted or earned in this program is entered on the student's permanent academic record and becomes a part of the student's continuing record at Nicholls if the student continues his or her education at Nicholls after high school graduation. Credit earned in this program is transferable to another college or university, depending upon the policies of the institution in question.

Former Students

Former students not enrolled at Nicholls in the preceding semester must submit an application for readmission. If a student has enrolled in any institution of higher learning, including a summer session, after attending Nicholls, the student must have a complete and official transcript from each college or university attended, whether or not credit was earned, mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the registrar of the institutions previously attended. Nicholls students who attend only the summer session at another institution must furnish an official transcript to the Office of Admissions prior to the next registration period.

Transfer Students

Transfer students who have attended other institutions must meet requirements as outlined above and must be eligible to re-enter the institution from which they are transferring and have an academic record which meets the standards required of students in the same classification at Nicholls.

No credit can be earned while under academic or non‑academic suspension.

Transfer Freshmen with fewer than 24 non-developmental hours must submit a complete and official high school transcript mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the high school and official ACT scores sent by ACT in addition to a complete and official college transcript mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the registrar of the institutions previously attended. Such students will be placed in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in accordance with the criteria applicable to new freshmen, under the section titled “First-Time Freshman.”

Acceptance of transfer credit is limited to academic credit earned at regionally accredited institutions in the United States or through the appropriate accrediting agency for institutions of higher education abroad. Until further notice, when a student transfers from Baton Rouge Community College, South Louisiana Community College, or River Parishes Community College, the University will examine course equivalency, faculty credentials, and other appropriate indicators of competencies to determine if these courses can be accepted for transfer credit. The University reserves the right to deny credit where such indicators are not present, or to require the student to prove competency by some other means.

An applicant for admission who has been enrolled in other institutions of higher learning must have a complete and official transcript from each college or university attended, whether or not credit was earned, mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the registrar of the institutions previously attended. Any transfer student applying for financial aid must have a financial aid transcript and a second official academic transcript sent to the Financial Aid Office before aid can be disbursed.

A transfer student's admission status (good standing, probation after suspension, etc.) will be the same as if the student had earned the credit at Nicholls. Students must be eligible for continuation or readmission to the institution from which they are transferring. A student who falsely states that he/she has attended no other institution is subject to suspension or dismissal and removal of credit earned at Nicholls, as soon as the misrepresentation is discovered.

International Students

International students applying for admission to Nicholls must have completed a secondary school program, must be proficient in written and spoken English, and must have adequate financial resources. The application, complete with official scholastic records, and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score should be in the Office of Admissions at least 60 days before the beginning of the semester in which admission is desired.

International students transferring to Nicholls from institutions abroad or from U.S. institutions must meet all requirements for transfer admission cited above.

Special forms for applying for admission to the University and further information may be obtained by writing to or calling the Office of Admissions. All of the required forms for international admissions are also available on the Internet at www.nicholls.edu. Proof of adequate financial resources to pay University fees and all other expenses incurred while living in the United States must be officially certified or verified before an international student can be accepted. All documents for admission must be official copies translated into English before a student can be considered for admission to the University.

An applicant for admission whose native language is not English must make a minimum score of 500 (computer-based total 173) on the TOEFL. For admission to graduate studies in Business or Mathematics, the minimum score is 550 (computer-based total 213). It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements to take this test.

Applicants who cannot obtain a TOEFL bulletin and registration form in their country should write well in advance to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540 or visit www.ets.org.

On the Basis of GED Test

An applicant for admission who has not graduated from a secondary school may be admitted to the University upon successful completion of the General Education Development test and receipt of an official ACT or SAT score. Official test results or copy of the diploma showing date of graduation must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions along with the required admission documents prior to registration.

Students interested in taking the examination should consult a state high school that offers adult education classes for additional information on how to obtain the equivalency certificate or high school transcript.

Visitor Status

Visitor status exists for students who enroll without formal credentials and who are not seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree. Credit earned under this registration may not automatically be used toward any graduate degree. Graduate students should refer to the GRADUATE STUDIES section in this Bulletin. While enrolled under visitor status, a student may earn credit for college-level courses and an official transcript of these credits will be available upon written request. Whether any credit earned under visitor status can apply toward an undergraduate degree will be determined after the student files a degree-seeking application, submits formal credentials, and meets all requirements for regular admission. The visitor status of admission is designed for part-time, non-traditional academic study.

Auditing Courses

A student who does not want to earn University credit may enroll for no credit as an auditor. The student must complete an application form for admission or readmission which may be obtained in the Office of Admissions. All credentials required for admission must be submitted. No student under suspension from any institution of higher education, for academic deficiencies, or for disciplinary reasons will be permitted to enroll in the University.

Students who audit courses will not receive credit nor will they be permitted to take a credit examination later for audited work.

Anyone who wishes to change registration from an audit to a credit basis must make the change by the last date for registration in the semester or session in question. (See University Calendar.) Fees for students who audit courses are the same as for those enrolled for credit.

Senior Citizens Program

Eligibility requirements for application under the University of Louisiana System Board of Trustees Senior Citizens Program are a high school diploma or the equivalent and that participants be 60 years of age or older. Only the completed application form and proof of age are required to be submitted. Senior citizens are exempt from registration fees and tuition fees for up to three hours but must pay the technology fee and course-specific fees (e.g. laboratory fees). Normal tuition and fee charges will be required of those enrolling for more than three credit hours.

Veterans and Veterans' Dependents

Those eligible for educational assistance as veterans, veterans' dependents, or reservists should apply to the Veterans Administration for certificates of eligibility. Application may be made through parish veterans service officers or directly to the Veterans Administration Regional Office, 701 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70113. Certificates of eligibility should be presented to the Office of Admissions immediately after registration is completed.

Veterans applying for V.A. benefits must complete a Request for Certification form in the Office of Admissions or on-line at www.nicholls.edu. For additional information see the Veterans Affairs secretary in the Admissions Office. After the request is completed, the Certification of Enrollment form is sent or electronically transmitted to the Veterans Administration.

For additional information from a veterans' counselor in the regional office in New Orleans, call 1-800 827-1000, or the Atlanta office at 1-888-442-4551.

Academic Renewal

Undergraduate students who have withdrawn or have been suspended because of academic deficiencies but have demonstrated sufficient maturation may ask to be enrolled under academic renewal. The following conditions apply:

• Students must obtain an application form for Academic Renewal from either a dean's office or the Office of Records and Registration within twelve (12) months following entry (or re-entry) to the University.
• At least three years must elapse between the end of the semester in which the student was last registered for credit at any college or university and the start of an enrollment under academic renewal.
• No prior academic credit carries forward as part of a degree program; however, the prior record remains a visible part of the student's transcript.
• If granted, the date of academic renewal is entered upon the transcript along with a statement prohibiting use of previously earned credits and quality points to meet degree requirements, to compute the grade-point average leading toward undergraduate certificates or degrees, or to determine graduation status.
• Upon being granted academic renewal, the student has status of an entering freshman, and will begin a new record showing no credits attempted and no quality points earned.
• A student demonstrating competency in a given area may be allowed advanced standing (without credit) or a waiver of requirements just as any entering freshman, but will not be allowed credit by examination for courses lost in academic renewal.
• Academic renewal may be granted to a person only once, regardless of the institutions attended.
• Students are cautioned that many undergraduate professional curricula, graduate and professional schools compute the undergraduate grade-point average over all hours attempted when considering applications for admission.

The Summer Session

Admission requirements for the summer session are the same as for regular semesters. Students who were not enrolled for the spring semester must apply for admission to the University.

The Exceptional Session

Courses not offered during the regular semester or the summer session schedule may be designated as an Exceptional Session. Intersessions held before spring semesters and summer sessions are exceptional sessions. Admission requirements and academic standards are the same as for regular terms.

New Student Orientation

Orientation programs for new students are conducted prior to each semester, including the summer session. The orientation program is designed to acquaint each new student with the University campus, academic programs, and support services. New students receive academic advising and complete registration for classes during orientation.

To attend an orientation program the new student must have applied for admission to Nicholls State, and have sent ACT/SAT scores.

All first-time freshmen and transfer freshmen working toward a degree are expected to attend a New Student Orientation session. Students will receive information about their specific orientation program after filing an application for admission. Each student is charged a non-refundable $50 fee for orientation.

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Last Reviewed: February 28, 2001 Last Modified: February 28, 2001
Comments to: nichweb@nicholls.edu
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Copyright: 2001 Nicholls State University