When you apply for admission to Worcester State College, you are taking an important step toward the future you’ve always dreamed of. We are committed to helping you acquire the knowledge and skills you need for professional success and effective citizenship in a changing world.

As a public institution of higher learning, our mission is to provide a first-rate education at an affordable price. Worcester State College students benefit from professors who love to teach, state-of-the-art learning and research facilities, and a bustling campus where something's nearly always going on. Even wider opportunities are available through internships, international programs, partnerships with other institutions, and the Colleges of Worcester Consortium.

So open the door to the future you’ve always dreamed of, and apply for admission today!

*IMPORANT DEADLINES*

  Spring Semester 2008

• Dec. 10, 2007 - Application Deadline
• Jan. 4, 2008 -  Last day to receive supportive materials
• Jan. 9, 2008 - Last day to receive deposit
• Jan. 14, 2008 - Orientation for all new students
• Jan. 17, 2008 - Last day for registration

 • General Requirements – Baccalaureate Degree

 • Freshman Admissions

 • GED Recipient

 • Transfer Student Applicants

 • Joint Admissions Applicants

 • Non-Traditional Student Applicants

 • International Student Applicants

 • Learning Disabled Applicants

 • English as a Second Language (ESL) Students

 • Vocational-Technical Students

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS – BACCALAUREATE DEGREE

Candidates for a baccalaureate degree must complete 120 semester-hour credits with a 2.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) and a minimum 2.0 GPA or higher in the departmental and ancillary courses of the  major field of concentration. To receive a baccalaureate degree from Worcester State College, a student must:

     ·         Complete 30 of the last 40 credits at Worcester State College;

     ·         Earn a majority of credits in the major at Worcester State College;

     ·         Earn a majority of credits in the minor (if elected) at the College.

Students completing their degree within six years must meet the degree requirements of the catalog under which they enter the college. After six year, students are subject to the degree requirements of the catalog in effect for  their year of graduation.

Second Baccalaureate Degree – A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from Worcester State College or another four-year institution of higher education accredited by regional accrediting agencies may be awarded a second bachelor’s degree by completing a minimum of 30 additional semester hours of prescribed work at Worcester State College after matriculation into the second degree program. Twelve semester hours of the 30 must be in upper-level work in the student’s major, and the student must meet all requirements for that major. In addition, in order to be granted a second degree, the student must meet all current catalog requirements for a baccalaureate degree at Worcester State College, as follows:

     ·         All courses from the former institution which the Office of
           Admissions deems usable towards fulfillment of the foundation and 
           general education requirements currently existing at Worcester
           State College will be transferred to the student’s second
           baccalaureate program.

     ·         All courses transferred into the students major for the second
           degree are subject to the approval of the Department Chair.

     ·         As many credits from the former institution as are deemed
           appropriate by the Office of Admissions will be transferred to the
           student’s second degree program as elective credits ( up to and not
           to exceed 90 credits).

Post-baccalaureate students who seek a second major but do not seek a second baccalaureate degree at Worcester State College will receive a letter from the Registrar certifying completion of the second major upon completion of all prerequisites’ to the major and all requirements of the major. After matriculation into either post-Baccalaureate program, no additional transfer credits will be allocated as graduation credit.

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FRESHMAN ADMISSIONS

You are in your senior year of high school and applying as a traditional applicant. Your high school academic record is the single most important factor in our evaluation process for freshman admission. The quality and level of courses, grade point average, and grade trends are all important factors. SAT I (including the essay portion) and/or ACT scores also are required, as well as a personal essay. Your work experience, teacher recommendations and extracurricular activities may strengthen your overall credentials for admission. SAT II test scores are not required but may add support to your application. The TOEFL or ELPT is recommended for students who are non-native speakers of English. Specific requirements for some majors such as education, nursing and occupational therapy are described below.

As a Massachusetts public state college, the College determines freshman admission eligibility in accordance with the published standards established by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (MBHE). Meeting these minimum standards does not guarantee admission to the college.


MBHE Massachusetts High School Unit Requirements (College Preparatory)
Sixteen college preparatory courses (each course is equivalent to a year-long high school class) are required as a minimum. These include:

Minimum Grade Point Average in Required Courses

The grades you earn in college preparatory courses will be averaged into a grade point average (GPA). In calculating your GPA, you will receive extra credit for accelerated courses (for example, honors or Advanced Placement courses.)

Your grades will be converted to a 4.0 scale, where "A" = 4.0, "B" = 3.0, "C" = 2.0, and "D" = 1.0. On this scale, a 3.0 GPA is roughly equal to a "B" average. A 3.0 minimum GPA is required, unless the student attains one of the GPA/SAT combinations listed on the chart below.

SAT I or ACT Test Requirement

For students with a GPA of 3.0 or above, the college reserves the right to establish additional criteria, such as a minimum SAT I or ACT score and/or minimum class standing.

For those students with a GPA below 3.0, a clear-cut minimum SAT I /ACT score will be applied as a minimum standard, in accordance with the chart below. Students who meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 should not use this chart.

Students who have graduated from high school three years ago or more should apply as a non-traditional student (see section below) and may present SAT I/ACT scores at their option.

GED RECIPIENTS

Candidates for admission who have completed the high school diploma requirement by earning the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) must submit official GED score reports with a minimum attainment in the 75th percentile in all subject areas; an official copy of the high school transcript showing work completed and/or attempted with grades earned; and a personal statement of no fewer than 150 words outlining academic and career goals as well as life experience and/or a professional resume. GED applicants must also submit official SAT I/ACT score reports if 21 years of age or younger; students 22 years of age or older are not required to submit SAT I/ACT scores.

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TRANSFER APPLICANT

You have already attended one or more accredited* institutions of higher learning. In order to transfer credits to Worcester State College you must attain a C– or better in each course. Developmental or remedial courses are not transferable. Transfer applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• 12-23 transferable college credits and a minimum 2.5 college GPA;

• Up to 23 transferable college credits, a minimum 2.0 college GPA, and a
  combination of high school grades and SAT/ACT scores that meet
  admission standards for freshman applicants (see above); or

• 24 or more transferable college credits and a minimum 2.0 college GPA.

If you have earned college credits while enrolled in high school, you must meet the admissions standards outlined above for freshmen applicants.

*Worcester State College accepts transfer credit only from colleges or universities that are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies. Worcester State College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, INC.

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JOINT ADMISSION APPLICANT

You must have an Associate's Degree from a participating community college that participates in the Joint Admissions program at the time of applying. You must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA to be guaranteed admission through this program, however competitive majors such as Criminal Justice, Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Education majors are not a part of the Joint Admission agreement for Worcester State College, and therefore do not guarantee any type of Admission.

If you have completed your Associates Degree more than one year ago or have attended another college or university since completing your degree, you are NOT eligible for Joint Admissions, and you will need to submit to us a traditional application for admission.

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NON-TRADITIONAL APPLICANT

You are applying for admission more than three years after high school graduation. You do not need to meet the admissions standards for freshmen. Instead, you must show that you are capable of succeeding in college, based upon your high school and/or college transcript grades. Standardized test scores and other factors may be used as part of the admission process.

A personal statement outlining your experience in life or work, your career goals, and your specific reasons for applying to Worcester State College is recommended, but not necessary.

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INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT

An International Applicant is anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, is not a U.S. Permanent Resident, and has or is requesting a non-immigrant visa or status. Priority review will be given to international applicants who submit the following documentation prior to November 1st for the Spring semester and April 1st for the Fall semester.

• Official high school/secondary school transcripts or national exam scores;

• Official college or university transcripts, accompanied by a course-by-
  course formal evaluation by a professional evaluating agency in the United
  States (for courses taken outside the U.S.).

• Results of the TOEFL; minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper exam), 213
  (computer exam), or 79 (Internet-based exam) is required. TOEFL scores
  must be submitted directly from the Educational Testing Services (ETS).

• Results of the SAT; a critical reading subscore of 450 or higher can be
  used in lieu of the TOEFL; the math subscore is used by the Admissions
  Office to determine quantitative ability. SAT scores must be submitted
  directly from the College Board.

• Financial/bank statement from a financial institution or agency indicating
  that adequate funds are available to cover all educational expenses
  incurred while at Worcester State College for one academic year (a
  minimum of $24,000).

• Affidavit of Support, Form I-134 from the person or people sponsoring your
  education in the U.S.

• International students, who have attended another college or university in
  the United States, must forward a copy of their F-1 visa and current I-20
  with their application.

Transcripts and other documents submitted in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation from a recognized agency or organization.

PLEASE NOTE: Worcester State College will not issue I-20 paperwork until the full tuition deposit is paid.

For additional information, please download the following two documents: International Information Packet, Waiver of Confidential Information. [pdf]

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LEARNING-DISABLED APPLICANT

You have a documented learning disability and you are applying as either a freshman or transfer student.. You do not have to take tests such as the SAT I or ACT for admission to Worcester State College. However, you must submit documentation (i.e., IEP, etc.) of your learning disability that is current within three years of your application for admission.

If you are a freshman applicant with a language-based learning disability you may substitute two alternative college-preparatory electives for the foreign language course requirement.

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ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) STUDENTS

You are an ESL student. You may be eligible for exceptions to the admission requirements. For example, you may substitute two electives for the two required foreign language courses. You must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the SAT II: English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), and should contact your guidance counselor or the Admission Office for more information.

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VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL HIGH  SCHOOL APPLICANTS

You are applying as a senior at a vocational-technical high school. You must earn the same minimum GPA as other students and submit the SAT I or ACT scores. Vocational-technical applicants must complete an additional elective college-preparatory course, for a total of three such courses, and satisfy one of the following options:

• Complete at least one Carnegie* unit of foreign language;

• Complete a fourth Carnegie unit of mathematics or science, which
  need not be a laboratory course; or

• Complete one Carnegie unit of computer science.

* A Carnegie unit represents a full academic year of study or its equivalent
  in a specific subject.

This requirement will remain in effect until the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) implements its requirements regarding world language study for vocational-technical students. At that time, vocational-technical applicants will be required to meet DOE requirements for world language study for admission to Worcester State College.

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