Admissions Requirements

Requirements for Freshmen Students:

Students seeking admission as first-time freshman to St. Thomas University must be a high school graduate and meet two of the three criteria listed below:*

Minimum grade point average of 2.25 on a 4.0 grading scale.
1. Combined SAT score (Math and Critical Reading) of 880 or ACT score of 18.
2. Class rank in the upper half of graduating class.

*Applicants not meeting the above criteria are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Review Committee.

The successful candidate for admissions as a first-time, first-year student has a high school GPA of 3.00 and a SAT score of at least 500 on each of the three sections of the SAT. Students opting to take the ACT have a composite score of at least a 21.  

 Required Documents:

1. A completed Undergraduate Application for Admission, along with a non-refundable $40 application fee.
2. An official copy of the high school transcript sent directly from the issuing institution, or an official copy of the General Education Diploma (GED).
3. Official SAT, ACT or CLAST/GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TEST scores. In the absence of SAT, ACT or CLAST/GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TEST scores, students must take the University Placement Test prior to registering for classes.
4. A letter of recommendation.
5. A personal statement/essay (see topics below and choose one)
   1. Why I wish to attend St. Thomas University
   2. How my activities and experiences will enhance the student body at St. Thomas University
   3. Qualities of an effective leader (for School of Leadership applicants majoring in Education or Communication Arts)

English	4 Units
Mathematics (Algebra or above)	3 Units
Science	2 Units
Social Science	3 Units

SAT and ACT Scores

While testing is not always a precise indicator of a prospective student’s academic abilities, the Admissions Committee considers it to be a reliable measure of an applicant’s classroom performance. Therefore, prospective students must submit scores from one of the two nationally recognized academic tests, the College Entrance Examination Board’s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program (ACT). Test scores must appear on official high school transcript or be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. 

Students without passing scores on all sections of the CLAST/GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TEST or SAT scores at or above 500 Math and 440 Critical Reading or ACT scores at or above Reading 18 and English 17, must take the University Placement Test prior to enrollment. Students who choose to take the ACT must take a University Placement Test in Math regardless of the ACT Math score. A student who fails to meet the above criteria and does not receive a passing score on the University Placement Test has not demonstrated an ability to benefit from the St. Thomas University educational experience, and may be denied admission.

Requirements for Transfer Students:   

Any student with 30 or more credits from an accredited college or university is considered a transfer student.

1. Minimum GPA of 2.25
2. A completed Undergraduate Application for Admission, along with a non-refundable $40 application fee.
3. An official transcript from all institutions attended sent directly from the issuing institution to St. Thomas University
4. A letter of recommendation
5. A personal statement/essay (see topics below and choose one)
   1. Why I wish to attend St. Thomas University
   2. How my activities and experiences will enhance the student body at St. Thomas University
   3. Qualities of an effective leader (for School of Leadership applicants majoring in Education or Communication Arts)

Application Deadlines for all Undergraduate Students:

Admission to the university is on a “rolling” basis. Prospective entering freshmen may apply any time after completion of their junior year in high school. Transfer students may apply at any time prior to the start of the semester for which they are seeking admission. However, there is a priority deadline of May 1st for the fall semester and November 1st for the spring semester. Applications after the priority deadline will be considered for admission according to the number of spaces available for the semester for which they are applying. The Office of Admissions will review applications upon receipt of all required documents. 

1. Full Admit - Degree-seeking student meeting the admission criteria listed above.
2. Probational Admit - Admitted as a student who must complete certain academic testing requirements during the first semester or academic year, in addition, students must maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree.
3. Pending Missing Documents – Candidates admitted to the university pending receipt of official documents, which must be submitted prior to the end of the first semester of attendance.

Special Programs with selective admission requirements

1. BA/JD Program

St. Thomas University and the School of Law offer a combined Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctor Degree. This is a six-year program that is offered to qualifying St. Thomas University undergraduate students who meet the following requirements:  

1. Students must begin the program in their first year of undergraduate studies
2. Students must have a high school G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and an ACT minimum score of 25 or SAT combined score of 1140 (Critical Reading and Math)
3. A formal undergraduate application
4. A formal application to the BA/JD Program
5. The student must agree to cooperate with the tracking and monitoring system which is designed to ensure the student meets the curricular requirements prior to applying to the School of Law

In order to complete the BA/JD program in six years the student must select a major with a maximum of 30 elective credits. This allows the students to take the remaining 30 elective credits at the School of Law. Presently, disciplines such as business administration, natural sciences, computer information systems, and education do not enable students to participate in this joint degree program.

Students must fulfill all the criteria for admission into the School of Law. Upon successfully completing the first year of law school, students will be awarded the bachelor’s degree in the appropriate undergraduate discipline.

Pre-Selection Criteria for Admission to the Law School 

1. Candidates must have completed 90 credits of undergraduate work and all requirements toward their degree must be completed to enter the law school
2. The student’s academic record should be reviewed periodically to ensure that the student is making satisfactory progress toward meeting the undergraduate degree requirements and the law school entrance requirements. An assessment will be made after the completion of 30, 60 and 75 credits to determine the student’s ability to meet the conditions of the joint degree
3. A letter from the Academic Advisor or appropriate University official stating that the candidate has fulfilled all requirements and that the academic department agrees to accept the law school credits must accompany the law school admission application
4. Candidates who have been subject to disciplinary or academic action may not be considered for admission to the law school without special justifying circumstances
5. Candidates must be registered with the LSDAS (Law School Data Assembly Service) of the LSAC (Law School Admission Council)
6. Candidates should take the LSAT no later than February for fall admission and no later than October for spring entry
7. Candidates must have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a 150 LSAT score

Students selected for this program must meet the admissions requirements set forth by the School of Law:

Visit the St. Thomas University School of Law for more information.

2. Global Leadership Program

Admissions Requirements:

· Completed Undergraduate Application
· Minimum GPA of 3.00
· Essay on Justice, Ecology and Peace 

1. GPA of 3.00 or higher
2. SAT score of 1100 (Critical Reading and Math) or ACT score of 23