Admissions

First year students

Admissions counselors work individually with each applicant to ensure sound educational planning. High school courses, grades, and test scores are all indicators of an individual’s ability to work successfully in college programs, and they are important factors in the admission decision.

Requirements for admission

For admission, first-year applicants must provide a completed application for admission, official high school transcript, and SAT or ACT test scores (note: submission of test scores is optional for students enrolling for their first year at Goshen College. Goshen College reserves the right to ask for additional supporting materials.

All degree-seeking students, both full time and part time, must provide all the application materials and supporting documents outlined above. To apply for admission to Goshen College, prospective students may use the Common Application or the Goshen College online application.

First year application deadlines

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis as they are completed, beginning September 1 of the year prior to matriculation. August 1: Deadline for submitting completed application to be admitted for fall enrollment. December 1: Deadline for submitting completed application to be admitted for spring enrollment. Admitted students must submit the $200 enrollment deposit in order to establish their priority for campus housing placement and to be eligible to register for classes. The $200 enrollment deposit is fully refundable by written request until May 1 for fall semester entry and December 1 for spring semester entry.

High school preparation

Graduation from an accredited high school is required. Students from a non-accredited school will be considered on a case-by-case basis. High school college-prep programs are the best way to prepare for Goshen College. This preparation usually includes the following areas of study and units: English – 4, science – 2-3; foreign language – 2-4; social science and history – 2-3; mathematics – 2-4. It is strongly recommended that nursing applicants complete two semesters of high-school chemistry with a grade of “B-” or higher.

Applicants who did not complete high school but have taken the General Educational Development (GED) or the Indiana High School Equivalency (HSE) test will be reviewed on an individual basis.

All first-year applicants must provide a final and official transcript showing that they have graduated from high school. Registration for second-semester classes will be withdrawn and financial aid will be withheld until a final high school transcript is received.

College credit earned during high school

Students entering with dual enrollment or other college-level credit are required to submit official transcripts from the college or university granting the college credit prior to the first semester of enrollment at Goshen College. Students who completed Advanced Placement (AP) exams or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, must have scores submitted by August 1 (for first-time enrollment in fall semester) or December 1 (for first-time enrollment in spring semester).

Home schooled students

Goshen College welcomes home schooled students and recognizes the valuable contribution they bring to the diversity of the student body. Home schooled students need to show that they have successfully completed a secondary school education in a home school setting and met state law requirements for secondary education. Applicants must submit high school equivalent transcripts with grades or evaluations. If these are not available, curricula for grades 9 through 12 may be provided. Official SAT or ACT scores are also required for admission (note: submission of test scores is optional for students enrolling for their first year at Goshen College.

Students who do not meet full admission standards

Students not meeting full admission standards are encouraged to apply for admission. Goshen College takes a holistic approach to admission decisions and will consider the merit of each applicant’s academic record on an individual basis. Additional materials may be requested so that we can learn as much as we need to make our admission decision.

Learning disabilities

After being admitted, students with diagnosed learning disabilities, who are otherwise qualified for admission to Goshen College, must provide documentation of their specific learning differences to the director of the Academic Success Center in order to receive reasonable accommodation.

Transfer students

Requirements for admission

Transfer student applicants must complete the application for admission. They must also submit official transcripts from previous colleges or universities attended.  If a transfer student has not taken 24 credits in college or university after their secondary education was completed, they must also submit an official copy of their high school transcript, including official documentation for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit. Applicants are expected to be in good standing at the college or university they last attended and to have maintained a 2.00 GPA (out of 4.00) or higher.

Transfer of credits

Students who transfer from regionally accredited colleges or universities can receive credit on work in which they received a “C” (2.00) grade or better. After one successful semester at Goshen College, students wishing to explore transfer credit from schools that are not regionally accredited must provide complete course syllabi to the registrar to begin the transfer evaluation process. A maximum of 12 hours of credit may be accepted for technical or skills-oriented courses from vocational training programs in technical schools, community colleges, or Bible institutes. Transfer credit is recorded with the same titles and credit hours as at the previous school. Transfer credits are not included in the Goshen College GPA. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned at Goshen College, at least 24 of those in the senior year, to receive a Goshen College degree.

Applicants may be asked to provide course descriptions or syllabi to aid in the transfer credit evaluation process. Departmental advisors evaluate courses that are to be considered for meeting requirements in majors, minors and professional programs. The registrar determines course equivalents for the Goshen Core. See the Goshen Core section of this catalog for reduced Core requirements for transfer students who have earned an associate degree in arts or science (not including applied arts or science degrees).

All transfer applicants must provide an official final transcript from each college attended. Registration for second-semester classes will be withdrawn and financial aid will be withheld until an official final college transcript is received. For AP or IB credit earned in high school to be posted on the student’s academic record, official score reports must be sent to Goshen College.

Hesston College transfers

Goshen College assures the acceptance of the Hesston College associate of arts degree and the associate of science degree and assures the student of junior standing. Hesston graduates have met all Goshen Core requirements except for global education. All other competencies and prerequisites must be met on the same basis as any other Goshen College student before a bachelor’s degree will be granted.

Ivy Tech Community College transfers

Goshen College assures the acceptance of associate degrees from Ivy Tech Community College. All other competencies and prerequisites must be met on the same basis as any other Goshen College student before a bachelor’s degree will be granted.

Glen Oaks Community College transfers

Goshen College assures the acceptance of associate degrees from Glen Oaks Community College.  All other competencies and prerequisites must be met on the same basis as any other Goshen College student before a bachelor’s degree will be granted.

Transfer application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis. August 1: Deadline for submitting completed application to be admitted for fall enrollment. December 1: Deadline for submitting completed application to be admitted for spring enrollment. Admitted students must submit the $200 enrollment deposit in order to establish their priority for campus housing placement and to be eligible to register for classes. The $200 enrollment deposit is fully refundable by written request until May 1 for fall semester entry and December 1 for spring semester entry.

International students

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States may use the Common Application or the Goshen College online application.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis up until the posted deadlines. Completed applications for fall enrollment are due May 1; completed applications for spring enrollment are due October 1. Applications received after the application deadline may be deferred to the next semester to allow for necessary processing time.

Admitted students whose financial commitment has been approved by the Admissions Office, must submit a $200 enrollment deposit in order to establish their priority for campus housing placement, and to be eligible to register for classes. The deposit is applied to the student’s account and goes towards the cost of attendance. The $200 enrollment deposit is fully refundable by written request until May 1 for fall semester entry and December 1 for spring semester entry.

Students should start planning a year in advance of the time they plan to begin studies at Goshen College to take the required TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam and to prepare the other required documents for admission and financial aid consideration. If funds shown on the form I-20 during the application process are not available at or after the student registers for classes, Goshen College reserves the right to terminate enrollment of the student.

First year international students

In addition to an application, students must submit the following materials to be considered for admission to Goshen:

1. OFFICIAL ENGLISH ASSESSMENT. If English is not the student’s first language or was not the primary language of instruction at a previous educational institution in which the student earned the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, the student must submit official scores from one of the following:
   • TOEFL iBT score: 79 or higher
   • IELTS score: overall band score of 6.0
   • Duolingo score: 105 or higher
2. Secondary school and/or post-secondary/university transcripts evaluated by WES (World Education Services) or InCred. Evaluations should be sent to the Goshen College Admissions Office.
3. Copy of the first page of student’s passport
4. Goshen College Student Financial Affordability Form with accompanying bank statements and/or salary statements and/or sponsor letters.

Transfer international students (who are already studying in the U.S.)

In addition to an application, students must submit the following materials to be considered for admission to Goshen:

1. Official college transcript(s) from all colleges attended.
2. Secondary school transcript(s) evaluated by WES (World Education Services) or InCred if a student has taken 23 or fewer college credits. Evaluations should be sent to the Goshen College Admissions Office.
3. Copy of the first page of student’s passport.
4. Goshen College Student Financial Affordability Form with accompanying bank statements and/or salary statements and/or sponsor letters.

Depending on your academic record, we may ask you to submit a College Reference Form.

Goshen College reserves the right to request additional information and/or documentation regarding official English assessment.

Transfer international students (who have attended university in another country)

In addition to an application, students must submit the following materials to be considered for admission to Goshen:

1. All secondary school and university transcripts evaluated by WES (World Education Services) or InCred. Evaluations should be sent to the Goshen College Admissions Office.
2. OFFICIAL ENGLISH ASSESSMENT. If English is not the student’s first language or was not the primary language of instruction at a previous educational institution in which the student earned the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, the student must submit official scores from one of the following:
   • TOEFL iBT score: 79 or higher
   • IELTS score: overall band score of 6.0
   • Duolingo score: 105 or higher
3. Copy of the first page of student’s passport
4. Goshen College Student Financial Affordability Form with accompanying bank statements and/or salary statements and/or sponsor letters.

Early enrollment program

The early enrollment program at Goshen College is for area high school juniors and seniors who excel in one or more subject areas and are ready for more advanced study at the college level. The student enrolls part-time at Goshen College while maintaining enrollment in high school. The total number of college courses a student may take each semester must be equal to or fewer than the number of high school courses taken during the same period. A separate application is required, and students enroll on a semester-by-semester basis. Early enrollment students may select from 100 and 200 level courses. Course prerequisite documentation must be provided by the student before registration is complete. Financial aid is not available. See financial information section for special tuition rates.

Re-admitted students

Students who leave Goshen College for one or two consecutive semesters, and who did not enroll at another college or university during their absence, may follow a simplified re-admission process, beginning with the registrar’s office. Students intending to transfer credits earned during their absence from Goshen College and students not enrolled for more than two consecutive semesters must begin the re-admission process by submitting another application which will then be processed by the Admissions Office.

Students who are academically dismissed from Goshen College and seek readmission must submit another application which will then be processed by the Admissions Office.

Students contemplating a leave from their studies at Goshen College are encouraged to complete a Leave of Absence form, available in the registrar’s office and online (goshen.edu/registrar/forms), to expedite the re-admission process. The Leave of Absence policy is explained in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Students in non-traditional undergraduate programs

Admission criteria and requirements for undergraduate adult degree completion programs (R.N. to B.S.N., Bachelor of Science in Communication, Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and Bachelor of Science in Social Work) and for certificate licensure programs (Transition to Interpreting, Transition to Teaching, and English Learners License) are detailed in the Adult and Graduate Programs section of this catalog.

Non-degree seeking students

Individuals who want to take classes at Goshen College, but are not interested in seeking a degree must still apply for admission using the Guest Student application. Non-degree seeking students can enroll full time or part time at Goshen College. Non-degree seeking students applying for the Merry Lea Sustainability Semester or Agroecology Summer Intensive (ASI) must also submit an official transcript from their current school. Degree-seeking students will have priority for limited enrollment courses.

Student consumer information

Goshen College maintains a student consumer information web page, which provides links to all information required by federal or state authorities for “student right-to-know” regulations. See goshen.edu/about/leadership/student-consumer-information