Office of Undergraduate Admission

Office of Undergraduate Admission

The Office of Undergraduate Admission identifies and admits qualified students who are most likely to succeed. We continue to support students committed to academic excellence, leadership, and the desire to develop as a whole person through the enrollment process. In addition to serving prospective students, the Office of Undergraduate Admission directly connects with families, high schools, community members, and alums by serving as a resource on the college application and enrollment process.

Lenoir-Rhyne University admits qualified students in all programs regardless of gender, race, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or veteran status. To be considered for admission to Lenoir-Rhyne University, an application may be submitted through the University website at http://www.lr.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning August 1. 

*Please refer to the graduate section of this catalog for information regarding admission to the Graduate School.

First-Year Students

The Office of Undergradutate Admission of Lenoir-Rhyne University reviews a student’s high school transcript to determine admissability. Of importance to selection is the number and level of academic courses taken in high school, as well as the performance in these classes. Participation in service, leadership, and other extracurricular activities will also be considered. Students who are home schooled are welcome to apply.

First-year applicants will be considered for admission upon submitting the requirements specified below. 

1. A completed, accurate application for undergraduate admission 
2. Official high school transcript*
3. Satisfactory completion of required coursework (see below)
4. Official college transcript(s) if any college work has been attempted, even if the course(s) are listed on the high school transcript*

*Prospective students may be admitted based on unofficial transcripts and/or as courses are in progress; however, a final transcript must be received prior to a student enrolling at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Optional items:

• SAT/ACT score report
• Lenoir-Rhyne University’s CEEB SAT code is 5365; ACT code is 3118. Scores may be submitted via a student’s high school transcript.

Minimum Course Requirements

• Four Units of English
• Two Units of a Language other than English
• Three Units of Mathematics including Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry
• One Unit of a Laboratory Science
• One Unit of American History
• One Unit of Chemistry preferred for students planning to major in Nursing

Upon receipt of the required items, an application for admission will be reviewed and a decision will be made. Neither high school grade point average nor test score has an absolute minimum requirement. It is the combination of factors that is important. Any offer of admission is contingent upon receipt of a final transcript confirming satisfactory completion of the high school diploma (or equivalent).

Transfer Students

A transfer student has earned a high school diploma (or equivalent) and has been enrolled at any college/university for one or more semesters following high school graduation.

The Office of Admission reviews applicatble course work from prior institutions to determine admissability. Number, level and performance within academic courses taken in college is considered during the admission process, as well as service, leadership, employment and other extracurricular activities. Applicants must be in good standing at their previous institution(s).

Transfer applicants will be considered for admission upon meeting the requirements specified below. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the following:

1. A completed, accurate application for undergraduate transfer admission 
2. Official transcripts from each college or university attended*
3. Dean’s reference form from each college or university attended after high school
4. An official high school transcript if 30 or fewer college credit hours have been attempted after high school graduation

Note: Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree and wish to pursue a second one are welcome to apply to Lenoir-Rhyne University.

*Prospective students may be admitted based on unofficial transcripts and/or as courses in progress; however, a final official transcript must be received prior to a student enrolling at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Transfer of Credit

An official evaluation of credit, completed by the Registrar’s Office, will follow admission to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Courses taken at a regionally accredited College/University in which a grade of ”C” or better has been earned may be transferred to Lenoir-Rhyne for credit. Course requirements may be fulfilled, but no credit will be awarded, with a grade of ”D” in the first of sequential course offerings, provided the student earned a grade of ”C” or higher in the following course and the first course is a prerequisite for the following course.

With special permission from the University Registrar, a student may transfer, as general elective credits, up to 6 hours of passing grades below the grade of “C” from another regionally accredited institution. These hours may be used only as general elective credits and will not satisfy any program or core curriculum requirements at Lenoir-Rhyne. Once a student matriculates and continues uninterrupted, no subsequent grade below a “C” completed at another institution may be transferred for credit.

Credit from an accredited junior or community college is limited to a maximum of 64 semester or 96 quarter hours. A maximum of 96 semester hours may be transferred from all institutions. As a minimum, the last 25% or 32 semester hours of major course work must be completed at Lenoir-Rhyne. Exceptions to this rule are extremely rare and may be only granted by the University Provost or Registrar.

During the evaluation of transcripts from other institutions, special scrutiny will be given to credits earned more than ten years preceding the applicant’s transfer. The University reserves the right to reject such credit when, in the judgment of the University Registrar and the appropriate program faculty, the coverage and content of the particular course(s) has undergone substantive change. After a student has transferred, the grade point average is computed only on work attempted at Lenoir-Rhyne. Any transfer student may elect to transfer no credits from former institutions and take the total number of hours required for graduation at Lenoir-Rhyne University. A student who takes the total number of hours required for graduation at Lenoir-Rhyne University may elect to delete all credits from former institutions at any time prior to graduation.

Students who have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a North Carolina Community College may transfer the AA/AS degree to Lenoir-Rhyne to be used in place of the University’s General Education requirements.

Students who have earned an Associate of Arts/Science degree outside of North Carolina are not subject to the agreement outlined above. A course by course evaluation will be conducted by the Registrar’s Office to determine if the AA/AS degree satisfies University’s General Education and which, if any, core courses will remain as part of the student’s curriculum at Lenoir-Rhyne. These same rules apply to any student who transfers to Lenoir-Rhyne having previously earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

Lenoir-Rhyne has also partnered with local community colleges to create specific articulation agreements with specified Associate of Applied Science programs (i.e. Entrepreneurship, Exercise Science). Details of these articulation agreements are listed in the Special Programs  section of the University Catalog.

International Students

All international applicants must submit the following information:

1. A completed, undergraduate application.
2. Official transcripts for each college or university attended which have been translated into English and evaluated into a course-by-course report by an approved credential evaluation agency.
3. Proof of English proficiency if the applicant’s native language is not English. The preferred method of proof is an official score report from one of the following vendors:

Note that the following would also be accepted to verify English language proficiency of the applicant:

• Completion of a college-level English composition or other reading intensive courses with a “B” or equivalent at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a non U.S. college or university where instruction is in English;
• An official transcript showing completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or a higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a non U.S. college or university where instruction is in English

International Undergraduate Enrollment Guidelines

1. An offer of admission, if applicable, will be sent via email.
2. To confirm enrollment, the applicant will submit the enrollment deposit. This enrollment deposit may be paid online and will be applied to your student account.
3. A completed Certificate of Finance with other supporting documentation.
4. An I-20 form will be forwarded to the deposited student.

Adult Learners

The Adult Learners program at Lenoir-Rhyne University is designed to serve the needs of area adult and/or non-traditional students. To qualify, students must be 26 years of age or at least eight years removed from high school. Adult learners take a reduced courseload per semester and are eligible for a discounted tuition rate. 

Adult Learners will be considered for admission upon meeting the requirements specified below. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the following:

1. A completed, accurate application for undergraduate adult-learner admission 
2. Official transcripts from each college or university attended. Final high school transcript will be required if no college courses were attempted or if fewer than 30 credit hours were attempted after high school graduation.
3. Dean’s reference form from each college or university attended after high school graduation

*Prospective students may be admitted based on unofficial transcripts and/or as courses in progress, however a final official transcript must be received prior to a student enrolling at Lenoir-Rhyne.

All students admitted to the RN to BS in Nursing program will be classified as Adult Learners. 

Students who begin at Lenoir-Rhyne classified as traditional students and continue uninterrupted may not change their classification to Adult Learner. Adult Learner students are charged tuition at a discounted rate and are therefore not eligible for any additional institutional scholarships (except Sacred Music).

Re-Entry Students

If you are a former undergraduate student and have been away from Lenoir-Rhyne for three or fewer semester, you are not required to reapply. Instead, you will work with the Registrar’s Office for re-entry to LR. Please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@lr.edu or 828-328-7279 for further instructions. 

If you were last enrolled at Lenoir-Rhyne more than three semesters ago, please proceed with the application for re-entry.

To reapply, it is the student’s responsibility to submit the following:

1. A completed, accurate application for undergraduate transfer admission 
2. If courses were taken at another college or university after leaving LR, official transcripts and Dean’s Reference Forms from each college or university attended must be provided

To be readmitted, re-entry students must be in good standing with the Office of Student Life and Office of Student Success.

Re-Entry for Military Service Students

Students who are required to fulfill active military service obligations during a period of enrollment should notify the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible. Students who will be in service for less than 30 consecutive days will not be academically penalized or withdrawn from courses unless the student makes this specific request. Faculty members will coordinate efforts with the student either during their deployment or upon their immediate return to make up any missing course requirements.

Students who are required to fulfill active military service obligations which require them to cease enrollment more than 30 consecutive days are not required to reapply to the University and may return with the same academic status. Students should inform the Office of the Registrar of their deployment and expected date of return as soon as possible and will work with the Registrar’s Office to enroll in courses for the next available term.

Confirmation of Enrollment

Payment of an enrollment deposit confirms the acceptance of an offer of admission. Enrollment deposits are required prior to being registered for classes and/or to be assigned to any residency on campus. Enrollment deposit amounts vary by population, degree program and campus. Please refer to your Acceptance Letter for current fee or contact your Enrollment Counselor for more information. Enrollment deposits for the fall and summer terms are refundable only if requests are received in writing before May 1^st. For the spring term, enrollment deposits are refundable if written requests are received before December 1^st. Questions/concerns regarding enrollment deposits/fees should be directed to the Office of Admission; 1-800-277-5721 / 828.328.7382 or Admissions.Hickory@lr.edu.

Deferred Enrollment

Students who have been accepted and/or have paid an enrollment deposit for any degree-seeking program may defer enrollment for up to one academic year from their original year of acceptance. The Office of Admission must be notified of the student’s wish to defer admission prior to the start of the original term for which the student applied. Note that deferred admission to specific programs (i.e. Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, Medical Studies/Physician Assistant, etc.) may not be optional and is at the discretion of the respective program. Students wishing to defer admission to specific program should consult with their Enrollment Counselor and/or a department representative for information regarding deferred enrollment. 

Orientation

Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Hickory campus offers The Charge: New Student Orientation for all incoming first-year and transfer students. This program is designed to facilitate undergraduate students’ transition into the Lenoir-Rhyne University community.

The Charge is a two-day, overnight event during which Lenoir-Rhyne introduces new students to the University’s services, policies, and key personnel; provides academic advising to finalize course registration; and offers an opportunity for students to learn more about campus prior to their first semesters.  All students participating in The Charge are required to stay on campus during the event, regardless of residential status.

New graduate students on all three campuses (Hickory, Asheville, and Columbia) participate in distinct orientation processes. These sessions provide new students with important information regarding their individual programs of study, as well as information about the campus policies and procedures.

High School Scholars Academy

The Lenoir-Rhyne University High School Scholars Academy (HSSA) is a two-year program for high school juniors or a one-year program for high school seniors who wish to pursue an advanced academic experience in preparation for collegiate success. Students must be at least 16 years old by August 31 of the year they will start at Lenoir-Rhyne. Through the program students also earn substantial college transfer credit. If accepted into the program, you will enroll in:

• Honors English III or IV
• Two or three additional college courses during the fall semester
• Three or four additional college courses during the spring semester

The High School Scholars Academy is limited to 60 spaces for each academic year. First preference for admission will be given to students enrolled in the Catawba County, Hickory Public, or Newton-Conover school systems. If there are still spaces remaining, applicants from private schools, home schools and other school systems will be considered. A waiting list will be established once the first 60 slots are filled.

High school students will be considered for admission to the High School Scholars Academy upon meeting the requirements specified below. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the following:

1. A completed, accurate HSSA application
2. Official high school transcript
3. School counselor recommendation form
4. Letter of recommendation from a teacher
5. Self-reported disciplinary record
6. A personal written statement regarding your desire to participate in HSSA
7. Official college transcript(s) if any college work has been attempted, even if course(s) are listed on high school transcript 

High School Enrichment

High school students may enroll in courses at Lenoir-Rhyne University while still in high school. The University permits this arrangement for students who will be at least 16 years old on or before the first day of class of the semester in which enrollment is desired and classified as a junior at their high school. High School Enrichment students may take two undergraduate courses per term at Lenoir-Rhyne pending availability. Students will be expected and required to provide their own transportation to and from Lenoir-Rhyne’s campus.

High school students will be considered for admission to the High School Enrichment program upon meeting the requirements specified below. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the following:

1. A completed, accurate High School Enrichment application
2. Official high school transcript with proof of a minimum GPA of 3.0
3. School counselor recommendations   

Non-Degree Students

This classification is for individuals who never plan to obtain a degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Non-degree students may take a maximum of 12 undergraduate-level credit hours per semester. Admission as a non-degree student is granted on a semester-by-semester basis and is only permissible when space is available. While a student may not be required to submit an additional application for subsequent semesters (depending on the length of time between enrollment), permission to enroll in more than one semester under this status must be pre-approved. Students seeking enrollment for multiple semesters should contact the Registrar’s Office for current policies and procedures. Non-degree students will be considered for admission upon meeting the requirements listed below.

It is the student’s responsibility to submit the following:

1. A completed Non-Degree Seeking student application
2. $50 non-refundable deposit
3. Unofficial transcripts for students taking courses with prerequisites

Because this classification is designed for students taking courses purely for their edification, academic advisors are not assigned. Applicants who are under current suspension from Lenoir-Rhyne, or who were denied admission as degree-seeking first year, transfer, or graduate students are not eligible for non-degree status.

*Note: students seeking entry to graduate-level courses as a non-degree student should refer to this section in the Graduate School section of the Catalog.