Undergraduate Admissions

Longwood College accepts applicants for fall, spring, and summer terms and is pledged to a non-discriminatory admissions policy. To receive information about the College, you may contact Longwood through email at lcadmit@longwood.lwc.edu and on the Web at www.lwc.edu.

FRESHMEN ADMISSIONS

Procedures

1.        Complete and return the Undergraduate Application for Admission by the priority date of March 1. The application must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $30.00 or by an official Fee Waiver Form from the College Entrance Examination Board that has been issued and signed by the student's counselor. Longwood College application forms may be obtained in most high school or community college counseling offices, by writing to the Office of Admissions, Longwood College, Farmville, VA, 23909-1898, or on-line at www.lwc.edu/admiss/apply.htm.

2.        Request that the student's high school submit to the Office of Admissions an official transcript of high school records. Students who have attended other colleges or universities under dual enrollment programs must also request that those institutions send official transcripts.

3.        Take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) of the College Entrance Examination Board, or the American College Testing Service Examination (ACT), and request that the test scores be sent to our Office of Admissions.  Students planning to major in a modern language should take the subject test (SAT II) in the language or languages of their choice for placement purposes.

4.        Submit any additional information the student believes to be helpful to the Admissions Committee for review and subsequent admission decision.

When the College receives the student's application, application fee, official transcripts of records, and test scores, the Admissions Committee carefully examines the student's qualifications and notifies the student as to whether or not the applicant is accepted for admission.
     Freshman admissions decisions are competitive and based on academic performance in high school. Performance will be measured by considering academic units completed (college preparatory), class standing, cumulative grade-point average, and the scores on the SAT or ACT college entrance test. The Admissions Committee will also review additional information submitted by the candidate in support of the application. Primary emphasis, however, is placed on academic credentials.
     Selection criteria are established each year by the Board of Visitors within the mission and resources of the College. Most of Virginia accepted applicants graduated from high school with the Advanced Studies Diploma.
     Candidates for admission to an undergraduate degree in music will be expected to audition prior to declaring that major.
     Students accepted for admission will be required to make a non-refundable deposit of $400.00 if they will be residential students and $100.00 if they will be commuting students. The deposit is due by May 1. Students accepted after May 1 must pay a non-refundable deposit within two weeks of their acceptance.

Early Action Admission: Longwood College offers Early Action Admission to freshman applicants who possess above-average high school records, class standing, and SAT I or ACT scores. To be considered for Early Action, applications must be received by December 1 and successful candidates will be notified by early January. The offering of admission is non-binding for the student. Students not selected for Early Action will automatically be considered for regular undergraduate admission.

Early Admission: High school juniors who have demonstrated high academic achievement in a college preparatory high school program may be considered for Early Admission. General application procedures and deadlines are the same as for seniors, with the following documentation additionally required: written endorsement from the Director of Guidance or Principal; a letter from the parents or guardian in support of the decision; and a statement from the applicant outlining the reasons for seeking to begin college after the junior year of high school.

Criteria: Applicants for undergraduate degree programs should be graduates of an accredited high school, anticipating graduation from an accredited high school, or hold the GED Certificate with satisfactory scores. All students, whether high school graduates or GED holders, are expected to meet certain minimum unit requirements for admission. These minimum units include:

     1.    Four units of English

     2.    Three units of mathematics, including Algebra I and II, and Geometry

     3.    Three units of science, two of which must include a laboratory

     4.    Three units of social studies, including American History and Government

 Non-Virginia residents may substitute a second unit of history or social science in place of government of government.

     5.    Two units of one foreign language

     6.    Two units of health and physical education

     7.    One unit of fine or practical arts

     The College highly recommends additional units in science, mathematics, social studies, fine arts, and foreign languages. An advanced studies curriculum is preferred.

TRANSFER ADMISSIONS

Procedures: Transfer students should complete and return an application for admission, accompanied by a $30.00 non-refundable application fee by the priority date of March 1. The student should request that a final official high school transcript and official transcripts from each college attended be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. It is important to indicate on the application if an Associates of Arts and/or Science Degree will be received before transferring to Longwood.
     Transfer students who transfer 45 or more semester hours to Longwood must declare a major prior to admission to the college. Undeclared transfer students must declare a major upon completion of 45 credit hours (includes Longwood hours and transferred hours).

Criteria: A minimum cumulative 2.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for all hours attempted at all accredited colleges attended is expected to be considered for admission. Achievement of the minimum GPA does not imply automatic admission. Transfer applications are reviewed with primary emphasis on academic course work taken at the college level. Students are expected to have successfully completed academic course work in four main academic areas: English, mathematics, science, and history/social science. Transfer applicants who will have earned fewer than 30 transferable semester hours in college-level subjects prior to enrollment at Longwood and/or who are under 22 years of age may also be evaluated on their high school academic performance and SAT scores.
     Virginia Community College and Richard Bland College students planning to transfer to Longwood should consult with their college counselor and review the Longwood College Transfer Guide. Specific questions about transfer policies and practices should be addressed to the Office of Admissions or by calling 804.395.2598 or 800.281.4677. Copies of the Longwood College Transfer Guide are available upon request. The Guide is also available at www.lwc.edu/admiss/international.htm.

OTHER ADMISSIONS CATEGORIES

Nontraditional Students: Students 25 years and older or whose life experiences (family, marital status, employment history, military service, etc.) indicate nontraditional consideration should submit an Adult Application for Admission, a $30.00 non-refundable application fee and a statement of educational goals. Students who have attended other accredited post-secondary institutions must have official transcripts from each institution forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions. Official high school transcripts or GED Certification must also be submitted. A personal interview with an admissions counselor may be required.
     Adult applicants who do not meet the standard requirements of minimum academic units and/or SAT scores may be accepted provisionally. A conditional acceptance would require the successful completion of three general education or major requirement courses with a grade of "C" or better. A student deficient in a major subject area (mathematics, English, social science or science) may be required to complete specific courses at a community college before entering Longwood.

International Students: The College welcomes applications from prospective international students. In addition to the program of study and SAT I requirements, the international student must also demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). A minimum score of 550 (paper test) or a 213 (computer test) is needed for admission. In certain cases, SAT scores may exempt students from the TOEFL Exam. International students seeking admission to the College should request a copy of the International Student Guide and consult our web site at www.lwc.edu/admiss/international.htm.
      To allow time for credential evaluation and unexpected delays in international mail, International students should mail the International Student Application for Admission and high school records at least six months before planning to enroll. The Office of Admissions requires an English translation for each transcript.
     International students should pay particular attention to possible medical needs and be immunized for the following diseases: Measles (Rubeola), German Measles (Rubella), Mumps, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, and have a Tuberculin Skin Test (ppd) within the past year. Medical insurance is mandatory. If students have particular medication needs, they should write to the Longwood Office of  Student Health to determine whether the medications can be obtained here. All international students and any dependent residing with them in the U.S. must obtain medical insurance that provides coverage for hospitalization expenses, medication evacuation, and repatriation expenses.
     Students must certify sufficient financial resources in order to be issued a visa to attend Longwood. A foreign national must provide an affidavit that shows that he/she has enough money to pay for four years at Longwood. The affidavit must be signed by the student and parent and be notarized by a bank official. Longwood does not provide financial aid for international students.

Admissions for Students with Disabilities: Admission to Longwood College is based on the requirements outlined in this catalog. Admission decisions are made without regard to disabilities. All applicants to the College are reviewed through the same admissions procedures and are expected to present academic credentials at or above the minimum standards for admission as established annually by the Board of Visitors. Scores from admissions tests (SAT or ACT) taken with accommodations are accepted.
     Individuals who wish to request Longwood publications or applications in an alternate format should contact the Director of Disability Support Services at 804.395.2391; 800.828.1120 (TT_Relay Service); or srood@longwood.lwc.edu.

Disability Disclosure Policy: Once admitted, students seeking accommodations must notify the Director of Disability Support Services. The Director will determine what documentation is needed in order to establish the most appropriate accommodations.  In addition to reviewing the documentation, the Director may request an interview between the student and a professional competent to evaluate the student’s needs.
     Longwood recognizes both the wide variations in the needs of students with disabilities and the fact that as students progress through their programs, unanticipated needs may arise. The Director will, at the request of the student, faculty, or staff review the process by which the current accommodations were determined and revise the accommodations as appropriate.

Readmission Candidates: Students who have not attended Longwood College for one (even if withdrawal occurred at the end of the semester) or more semesters must submit an Application for Readmission and a $20.00 fee to the Office of Admissions at least 60 days before the beginning of the term in which they plan to enroll. Readmission to the College is not automatic. Each decision is made on an individual basis. An Admissions Committee reviews the academic record and citizenship at Longwood as well as courses taken elsewhere. Official transcripts from other colleges of such course work are required. 
     The Admissions Committee is not obligated to readmit any student; however, a student denied readmission may appeal in writing to the Office of Admissions. The appropriate Dean(s) will review the appeal.  Students eligible to be readmitted to the College may not, in some cases, be eligible to enroll in a particular major because their academic standing may be below the required minimum for the program.
     Readmit students are not eligible to benefit from the Articulation Agreement with community colleges.  However, individual courses will be evaluated and granted credit when appropriate.
     Applications for readmission are available from the Office of Admissions in person, by mail, by calling 804.395.2060 or by emailing lcadmit@longwood.lwc.edu.

Special Students: Students not seeking a degree may be permitted to take courses for which they are qualified.  Students who have been denied regular admission to an undergraduate program at Longwood may not register as special students without permission from the Director of Admissions and the Dean of the School of the student's intended major. Special students must maintain at least a "C" average in order to continue. A student in this category who wishes to carry a full-time load (12 credits or more) must have permission from the Registrar; such permission is generally limited to those students who are working toward a special certification or license and who have demonstrated their ability to do college-level work.
     Special students may register for classes directly through the Office of Registration.  First-time special students must complete an information sheet and the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates. Tuition and fee payments are due in full at the time of registration.
     Special students are advised that credits earned as a special student are not necessarily applicable toward a Longwood degree program. After admission to the College, such credits, as well as credits earned at other colleges or universities, will be evaluated as to applicability to the specific degree program in which the student wishes to enroll.
     Special students are encouraged to apply for admission to the College before they complete 24 credit hours. Special permission is required from the Registrar in order to take more than 24 hours as a special student.

Teacher Licensure: A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution may complete the course requirements for teacher licensure in Virginia. These students may register as special students.
     Information about required courses and procedures for application for licensure is available from Longwood’s Licensure Officer in the Department of Education or Special Education, 804.395.2204.

Second Baccalaureate Degree: A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from Longwood College or any other accredited institution may earn a second baccalaureate degree by satisfying the following requirements:

1.        Submit an undergraduate Application for Admission, a $30.00 non-refundable application fee, and all official college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions.

2.        Submit a completed undergraduate Application for Degree to the Office of Registration, along with a $25.00 diploma fee to the Office of Cashiering and Student Accounts. In order to complete the Application for Degree, the student must meet with the appropriate Department Chair. (Note: The admission process will not be completed until this application has been filed.)

3.        Complete, at Longwood, at least 30 semester hours in a second-degree program beyond that work applied toward the first degree. All general education requirements are met by the first degree. Additional degree requirements are met by the first degree where applicable.

4.        Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average cumulatively and in the major unless a higher minimum grade point average is specified for a particular major.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT and CLEP

Longwood College offers advanced placement with college credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and through Advanced Placement Examinations.  Students seeking information concerning CLEP or Advanced Placement Examinations may contact the Educational Testing Service at AP Services, P.O. Box 6671, Princeton, NJ  08541-6671, or CLEP, P.O. Box 6600, Princeton, NJ  08541-6000; the Office of Registration at Longwood College, or their guidance counselor. Information concerning acceptable scores and course equivalencies are available from the Office of Admissions or Office of Registration. Longwood does not offer credit for the General Area CLEP Exams.

DEVELOPMENTAL COURSE PLACEMENT

As part of the advising and registration process, all entering freshmen will take diagnostic/placement tests in writing and mathematics. The results of the assessments will be used by students and college advisors to guide first semester registration. Students scoring below specified minimums on these placement tests will be required to participate in developmental courses. These courses are offered on Longwood’s campus through a cooperative arrangement with Southside Virginia Community College. Developmental courses are designed to insure that students are prepared to succeed in Longwood’s rigorous curriculum.
     Satisfactory completion of required developmental courses is a prerequisite to advancing to English 100 or college-level mathematics courses. Students who fail to meet a prescribed standard within two attempts will not be retained at the institution. Students diagnosed as under-prepared in reading may be restricted to courses that do not have intensive reading requirements. Normally students are expected to complete successfully all developmental work within the first academic year.

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