Austin College Bulletin 2022-2023
The Office of Admission and the Office of Financial Aid provide assistance and consultation for prospective students and their parents regarding college choice, admission requirements and procedures, and financial aid policies and procedures.
Requirements for Admission
Careful and individual consideration is given to each applicant for admission to Austin College. Admission is based upon a holistic review of scholastic performance plus individual qualities and experiences that influence the candidate’s likelihood for success at Austin College. Austin College accepts the Common Application, the ApplyTexas Application, the Coalition Application, and the Austin College Application.
Applications are available online at the Common Application, ApplyTexas, Coalition Application, and Austin College Application, respectively. These sites may also be accessed through the Austin College website.
Admission of Freshman Applicants
Freshman candidates for admission should begin their applications for admission by the fall of their senior year in high school. Detailed information about the freshmen admission and scholarship application processes is available online. Credentials of primary importance in admission consideration include:
- High School Record: Graduation (or expectation of graduation) from an accredited secondary school, or from a home school. Applicants should complete at least 15 high school academic units with the recommended distribution of: English, 4; mathematics, 3 to 4 (including geometry and algebra II); science, 3 to 4 (including 1 to 2 lab sciences); foreign language, 2 to 4 (at least 2 of the same language); social studies, 2 to 4; and fine arts, 1 to 2 units. Applicants should provide a transcript of high school work completed through the junior year with a list of courses to be taken in the senior year.
- Standardized Test Scores: Students admitted to Austin College typically score well above national averages on the College Board SAT or ACT. Austin College accepts scores from either the SAT or the ACT. In the review process, the college considers the highest subtest scores from all testing dates. Test results are evaluated in conjunction with the applicant’s high school record.
- Expository Writing Paper: In lieu of SAT/ACT score(s), test-optional applicants may submit a graded English or history paper. This track is available to all U.S. applicants who attend an accredited private or public high school, homeschool students, and students enrolled in accredited English language schools based internationally. Non-native English speakers enrolled in school internationally are required to submit SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS scores.
- Personal Qualities: While academic preparation is of primary concern, Austin College seeks students who will contribute to the campus community personally as well as academically. Personal qualities are assessed through evidence of extracurricular involvement in school activities, athletics, community service, church activities, or employment; recommendations from counselors and teachers; and the essay portion of the application.
First-time in college students often earn dual credit (i.e., any college-level coursework taken during high school) or Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) credit, or international Advanced Level (A Level) credit (i.e., credit by exam taken as a result of high school course work) that can apply to the Austin College curriculum and increase their official classification beyond that of a “freshman” student (see Academic Regulations – Course Credits and Classification). However, it is important to note that first-time in college students are required to abide by the policies and requirements set forth for a traditional freshman student to ensure a successful transition into the Austin College community.
Admission of Transfer Applicants
Transfer candidates for admission should complete the Common Application or the ApplyTexas Application. Applications are found online at the Common Application and at ApplyTexas, respectively. Detailed information about the transfer admission and scholarship application processes is available online.
Applicants in good standing at any accredited two- or four-year college or university can be considered for admission to Austin College as a transfer applicant. The most competitive applicants for admission typically have earned a 3.00 or better grade point average. Transfer applicants are considered throughout the year on a rolling admission basis, and students will be notified of admission decisions as applications are completed.
Please note that the recommended deadlines are January 15 for spring admission and August 1 for fall admission. In addition to completing the Common Application or ApplyTexas, transfer applicants also must submit official academic transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended. All transfer applicants should submit their final high school transcript or G.E.D..
Admission of Special Students
Cooperative Degree Plan in Engineering: No special application is necessary for admission to this program. Freshman students may enroll in this plan at the time of registration. (Refer to Pre-Engineering in the Pre- Professional Preparation section.)
Veterans: Veterans planning to study under the benefits of Public Law 550 or others should address inquiries to the Registrar’s Office.
Non-Degree Special Students: Persons who give evidence of maturity, earnestness of purpose, and adequate preparation may be admitted to individual courses without becoming candidates for a degree. They should apply for admission to the Registrar’s Office. A non-degree or a part-time student cannot participate in intercollegiate athletics or represent the college in any official capacity or receive any type of financial aid including federal, state, institutional, or alternative loans.
Auditors: Individuals who wish to audit a course may be admitted with the approval of the registrar and consent of the instructor. Auditors do not receive special instruction or special attention from the instructor. They do not earn credit in the work pursued but the audit course is listed on the auditor’s transcript. The fee for auditing is listed in the College Costs section of this Bulletin.
Graduate Study: Requirements for admission to studies leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching degree are defined in the section on the Austin Teacher Program.
Summer Session: Students who are not in the regular program of the college should apply for admission to the Registrar’s Office.
Admission Decision Plans and Deadlines
All admission credentials for fall freshman applicants must be received in the Office of Admission by one of the following deadlines: November 1 for Early Decision; December 1 for Early Action I applicants; February 1 for Early Action II applicants; and March 1 for Regular Decision applicants. Students who apply for admission after March 1 will be considered on a space-available basis. Scholarship deadlines are listed on the Austin College website.
Early Decision: Early Decision is a binding agreement for students who have identified Austin College as their first-choice college. Students may apply to other universities, but may only have one Early Decision application pending at any time. If admitted, students must enroll in Austin College and withdraw all other applications, provided they are offered sufficient financial assistance, if required. Students intending to apply Early Decision must submit their application and all required documents by November 1. A non-refundable deposit of $350 is due by February 15.
Early Action: Students who would like to receive early notification regarding their application for admission may apply under the Early Action plan, completing their application by December 1 (Early Action I) or February 1 (Early Action II). Notification of admission status will be mailed by January 31 or March 1, respectively. Early Action does not carry a binding commitment to accept an offer of admission. If admitted, Early Action applicants are encouraged to pay the required $350 matriculation deposit as soon as they have finalized their college decision. The deposit is required by May 1 and is refundable until this date.
Regular Decision: Students who apply for admission after the Early Action deadlines are classified as Regular Decision applicants. Those students who submit all required application materials by the March 1 admission deadline will be notified of their admission status by no later than April 1.
Rolling Admission: Regular Decision applicants applying after March 1 will be considered on a space-available basis and typically receive notification of their admission status after April 1 or within two to four weeks of completion of all application materials.
Early Admission: Austin College accepts applications from qualified students who seek Early Admission. Normally, these students will be classified as second-semester juniors in high school at the time of their review for possible admission to Austin College. The college welcomes such applications with the understanding that successful candidates display a high degree of social maturity and present strong academic credentials. An admission interview and a letter of recommendation from a parent or guardian are required in addition to standard admission materials and requirements. Students desiring Early Admission should take the SAT or ACT prior to applying for admission.
Financial aid is available to Early Admission students if they are determined eligible after completion and analysis of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, it is mandatory by law that the students pass an independently administered standardized exam approved by the Department of Education. Both the ACT and SAT exams are approved for this purpose, if administered on one of the national test dates by a testing authority other than Austin College.
Deferred Admission: Austin College may judge an applicant to be a viable candidate for admission while requesting further information toward enhancing the applicant’s chances for admission. In such cases, an applicant may be sent a letter stating the Admission Committee would like to defer final judgment on admission in order to provide the applicant an opportunity to arrange an admission interview or to submit, for example, an updated academic transcript, new standardized test scores, or additional letters of recommendation.
Waiting List Status: Because more qualified students apply for admission than can be offered admission, some applicants are initially neither offered nor denied admission. Instead, they may be offered a place on a waiting list for admission. If space still is available after the college is notified by admitted applicants of their college choice, admission may be offered to students placed on the waiting list.
A decision regarding the status of students on the waiting list is made as close as possible to the May 1 candidate reply date, though students are formally provided an update of their status by May 15, June 15, and August 1. Applicants accepting an offer to be on the waiting list are strongly encouraged to reserve an offer of admission at another institution and must be prepared to forfeit the matriculation deposit required by most institutions should they be offered admission by Austin College after May 1.
Matriculation Deposit after Acceptance: Students who accept the college’s offer of admission must pay a $350 matriculation deposit. (For explanation of deposit, see College Costs section.) In addition, the applicant should return the Commitment of Academic Integrity form, which indicates an understanding of the general educational approach and concepts of Austin College and the willingness to commit oneself to the College Principles as basic to the operation of the college community.
Application of Previously Earned College Credit
Advanced Placement (AP): Austin College will grant one course credit unit for scores meeting designated thresholds for advanced placement examinations given by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Detailed information related to score thresholds may be found at the Registrar’s Office website under College Course Credit.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Tests: Credit also may be granted by scoring the satisfactorily CLEP subject level tests and paying the required fees. Detailed information may be found at the Registrar’s Office website.
Concurrent or Dual Credit: Austin College accepts college credit earned while still in high school through concurrent or dual credit enrollment when a grade of C or better was earned and Austin College offers a corresponding course that matches the course taken. For additional information, contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@austincollege.edu.
Language Placement Testing: A student who is placed by Austin College into the 202 level of a modern language or higher as the first college-level course in that language and who completes this with a satisfactory grade (S, C-, or above) also will receive one additional credit for the preceding level. At the point of enrollment, admitted students can complete Language Placement Testing at many college enrollment events or by contacting the Classical and Modern Languages Department. See more information about the Language Competency Requirement in the Academic section under General Degree Requirements.
International Baccalaureate (IB): Austin College will grant one course credit unit for scores meeting designated thresholds on advanced placement examinations given by the Higher Level examination of the International Baccalaureate program. The registrar, in consultation with the department concerned, determines how the credit is to be identified on the student’s permanent record. Credit may be given for a score of four on a Higher Level examination at the department’s discretion. Credit is not normally given for Subsidiary Level examinations. Detailed information may be found at the Registrar’s Office website under College Course Credit.
A-Level Credit from General Certificate of Secondary Education: One course credit unit will be given for letter grades of A or B on the Advanced Level from the General Certificate of Secondary Education for subjects in which AP and IB credit is granted (see above). Only credit from the Advanced Level will be applied. Official “General Certificate of Secondary Education” must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for consideration.
Military Credit: For students with military service who have training that is recorded on a Joint Service Transcript, credit will be accepted per the recommendation of the American Council on Education, as long as it otherwise meets the criteria for transfer of credit to Austin College. Transcripted military experiences are ineligible for transfer.
Credit Application to Curriculum: A minimum of 17 Austin College course credit units (including eight of the last 11 course credit units) must be earned for the degree (see Academic Regulations – Course Credits and Classification for more information about the Austin College credits system). A maximum of 68 semester credit hours may be transferred from AP/IB credits and accredited two-year and four-year institutions. Students who enter the college as freshmen may transfer into Austin College up to four courses in the Discover Requirement (formerly Breadth) but must take at least half of the coursework required in each division of the Discover Requirement at Austin College. Students who enter as transfer students may transfer in all eight courses in the Discover Requirement. A list of transfer courses and AP/IB scores that satisfy the Discover Requirement is available in the Registrar’s Office and webpage. Only transfer credits completed prior to matriculating at Austin College can be used to satisfy the Discover Requirement. Transfer coursework completed after matriculating at Austin College may meet requirements in the major, minor, or as electives with department approval. Credits, presented from other institutions consistent with the academic objective of Austin College in which the student earns a grade of C or higher, will be converted to course credit units at the rate of four semester hours being equal to one Austin College credit. Students may petition for individual approval of a transfer course not normally accepted at Austin College. Students must provide a syllabus or complete course description and specify how the course is relevant to their planned degree program. No official evaluation of credit can be given until official transcripts of all colleges attended have been submitted to the Office of Admission. An evaluation of transferable credits and determination of subsequent requirements for graduation from Austin College can be made prior to matriculation through the Registrar’s Office.