Undergraduate Admission

Fontbonne University seeks to admit students who will succeed in, benefit from, and contribute to Fontbonne’s educational programs and opportunities. In its review of student credentials, the university looks for those students who show evidence of successful completion of prior academic work, self-motivation, academic aptitude, and promise.

Fontbonne accepts applications for most undergraduate programs for both the fall and spring semesters. The university operates on rolling admission and will notify an applicant of a decision as soon as possible after the receipt of all required credentials. All credentials submitted for admission must be on file no later than one week prior to final registration for the term in which the applicant wishes to begin.

Accepted applicants indicate a decision to attend Fontbonne by forwarding a $100 tuition deposit to the university. Tuition deposits for fall semester are refundable until May 1. Tuition deposits for spring semester are refundable until December 15.

The vice president for enrollment management welcomes correspondence from candidates for admission, high school and college counselors, and academic advisors. All correspondence regarding application for admission and all application credentials should be addressed to:

Admission Office
Fontbonne University
6800 Wydown Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63l05-3098
314.889.1400
Fax: 314.889.1451
fbyou@fontbonne.edu

First-Year Student Admission

Fontbonne considers as first-year students those degree-seeking students who are graduates of an accredited high school and who have not previously enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university. Students dually enrolled at a community college while completing high school will still be considered first-year students.

Candidates for admission should begin application procedures early in the fall of the year preceding that for which they seek admission. To complete their application, each first-year student must submit the following:

1. A completed undergraduate application for admission.
2. An official copy of an accredited high school transcript which includes the sixth semester grades, class rank if applicable, and the cumulative grade point average.
3. Score results of the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Applicants are encouraged to take the ACT or SAT examinations no later than the fall of their senior year of high school.
4. A recommendation letter or form completed by a high school teacher or guidance counselor is recommended but not required.

Additional information may be requested after review of the applicant’s file.

Recommendations for Admission as a First-Year Student:

To be admitted the student should have:

• An ACT assessment composite score of 20 or a minimum SAT composite score of 950 (critical reading and math).
• A high school GPA of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale as determined by Fontbonne.
• Completed the following recommended core requirements:
• Four units of English
• Three units of mathematics
• Three units of social science
• Three units of science (one must include a lab)
• One unit of visual/performing arts
• One unit of practical arts
• One unit of physical education
• Six units of academic electives (including foreign language).

When first-year student applicants fail to meet any one or more of these standards, their applications receive consideration by the undergraduate admission standards and review committee. The committee will decide if the applicant should be admitted to the university and, if so, under what specific conditions.

All accepted candidates currently enrolled in high school must successfully complete all work in progress and submit, upon graduation, an official high school transcript showing all work completed, including their date of graduation. This transcript must be on file in the admission office at least one week prior to the beginning of the academic school year or semester in which the student enrolls.

GED/HISET Applicants

Applicants must earn a 2350 on the General Educational Development (GED) examinations. The ACT is required if students wish to be considered for scholarships.

In 2014, most states started using the HiSET® passing criteria which means to pass the HiSET exam, you need to:

• Score at least 8 out of 20 on each of the five subtests
• Score at least 2 out of 6 on the essay
• Achieve a total scaled score on all five HiSET subtests of at least 45 out of 100

Transfer Admission

Fontbonne welcomes transfer students from a wide variety of backgrounds, from two-year and four-year, public and private colleges and universities. A transfer student is one who (1) has obtained a high school diploma or the GED, (2) has previously attended an accredited postsecondary institution [or institutions] at the undergraduate level, and (3) is entering Fontbonne University for the first time. (A student who has completed college courses while still in high school/dual enrollment is considered a first-time first-year student, not a transfer student.) Transfer applicants should begin application procedures at least two months prior to final registration for the term in which they seek admission.

Transfer candidates must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and preliminary approval from their intended major department at Fontbonne. The department provides preliminary approval by virtue of a tentative transcript evaluation of transfer coursework meeting major requirements.

Course credits from another institution will, in general, be accepted under the following conditions. The credits must:

• be completed from an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher learning;
• be college level courses (100 level or above);
• have a grade of D or better. Coursework meeting major, minor, or concentration requirements must have a grade of C- or better.

A student may transfer a maximum of 64 credit hours to Fontbonne University from a community college.

The major department determines the number of hours and the specific courses that will be accepted for transfer into the student’s intended major. All candidates should be aware of the need to meet the minimum GPA requirements in their intended major field of study for major approval, for continuing in the program, and for graduation.

Transfer students must complete all Fontbonne degree requirements and the residency requirement of a minimum of 30 credit hours. All courses taken during the semester of degree completion/graduation must be completed at Fontbonne University.

For application, transfer candidates must submit:

1. A completed application for admission.
2. An official transcript from each accredited college or university previously attended (including college credit or AP credit received while in high school) showing all work completed to date. Students who have completed fewer than 30 semester hours must also submit an official high school transcript. Official transcripts must be stamped with the institution’s official seal.
3. Recommendations from authorized school administrators or others who can evaluate the applicant’s academic abilities and personal characteristics. Although optional, these recommendations prove particularly helpful to the admission standards and review committee, especially if the recommendations help to explain or mitigate weaknesses in the student’s past academic record.

Candidates receive an official evaluation of transfer credit upon acceptance. All accepted candidates currently enrolled elsewhere in college-level courses must successfully complete all work in progress and submit an official college transcript showing the additional courses completed. This transcript must be on file prior to final registration for the semester in which the student enrolls.

Transfer students are exempt from placement testing in any area in which transfer credits are accepted to meet a Fontbonne requirement. Transfer students who are not exempt from the computerized university placement tests must take the tests before registering for courses. The tests assist the university in evaluating, placing, and advising incoming students.

Fontbonne University accepts the Missouri General Education Block and the Illinois Articulation Initiative as completing its Culture and the Common Good General Education Requirements. Transfer students are responsible for completing other graduation requirements, including a religion or theology course.

Early Admission

Fontbonne admits for summer school and to the first-year student class qualified candidates who have completed at least six semesters of high school. In evaluating candidates for early admission, the university requires evidence of a high level of motivation, strong academic credentials, and a level of maturity that will enable the candidate to succeed at Fontbonne.

Candidates for early admission must present score results from the American College Test (ACT) or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests (PSAT), and have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above as determined by Fontbonne University. The high school principal and the parent/guardian of the candidate must also submit approval of the student’s candidacy for early admission. Students applying for early admission should follow application procedures outlined in the first-year student admission section in this catalog during the fall semester of their junior year of high school.

Students accepted on early admission must arrange to obtain their high school diplomas on completion of their first year at Fontbonne.

Admission of Undergraduate International Students

Fontbonne University is a global community and encourages applications from international students. All applications must be submitted to the director of international affairs and should include the following:

1. A completed, signed application form.
2. A $75 non-refundable application fee payable to Fontbonne University.
3. Certified, official transcripts (translated into English) from all secondary schools, college or universities previously attended. The minimum required Grade Point Average for undergraduate First-time Freshman admission is 2.5/4.0 scale. The minimum required Grade Point Average for transfer student admission (over 30 credits) is 2.0/4.0 scale. Students who have earned college-level credit outside of the United States and wish to apply those credits toward a degree will be asked to have their transcripts evaluated by a US evaluation service.
4. Evidence of English language proficiency which is necessary for those applicants whose first language is not English. Applicants must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or authorized Fontbonne University equivalent. The required minimum TOEFL score is 65 IBT (5.5 IELTS). Students not possessing proof of English language ability may be considered for acceptance on a “conditional” basis.
5. An official letter of sponsorship and an official financial statement from the bank of the guarantor. These are required to meet U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. The bank statement and letter from the sponsor must be in English. The bank statement must be certified by the bank, dated within 120 days of the application, and have the name of the sponsor (or sponsor’s organization) on the account. The account will indicate the amount of funds available. The sponsor must have sufficient funds to support the student for a minimum of one year while in academic studies.
6. Two letters of recommendation in English.
7. A personal statement in English.
8. A copy of the current passport page with name, date of birth, and expiration date.

All new undergraduate international students must take Fontbonne’s English and mathematics placement tests to determine the appropriate general education level course.

International students are required to enroll in the required English class (as determined by placement test scores) their first semester at Fontbonne, and maintain continuous enrollment in the courses in the English sequence through the completion of ENG 102 .

Any international student wishing to transfer to Fontbonne University from another institution within the United States must also submit the following documents:

1. Copies of all official I-20 documents from previously attended schools.
2. A copy of the current I-94 card.
3. A copy of the current visa.

An international applicant not meeting one or more of the entrance standards may be asked to submit additional information for review by the undergraduate admission standards and review committee. All international students accepted for study at Fontbonne University will be required to purchase medical/health insurance by an insurance carrier in the U.S. selected by Fontbonne University. Purchase of such insurance coverage will be completed at the time of registration at the university.

Limited scholarships are available to new and transfer undergraduate international students. Priority will be given to F-1 non-immigrant visa holders. Non-immigrant international students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Admission for a Second Undergraduate Degree

An applicant who already holds a bachelor’s degree may desire admission to pursue a second undergraduate degree in a major different from the first degree. The applicant must submit an application for admission and official copies of undergraduate transcripts showing all work completed from their previous institution(s) plus the degree granted. Additional credentials will be requested as needed.

The department in which the student wishes to study must accept the candidate for pursuit of a second bachelor’s degree for the student to be admitted. The department will determine which courses from the first bachelor’s degree will be accepted toward fulfillment of the major requirements for the second degree. These students must complete a minimum residency requirement of 24 credit hours at Fontbonne University, as well as all specific requirements for the second major and degree. They are exempt from taking the placement test and from completing the Fontbonne general education requirements.

Admission for Post-Baccalaureate Certification Only

(Missouri Department of Education and Secondary Education/Council of Accreditation of Educational Programs) or Verification Only (Academy of Nutrition And Dietetics)

An applicant who already holds a bachelor’s degree may desire admission to pursue post-baccalaureate teacher certification (see the graduate  section of this catalog for information regarding programs which combine teacher certification with an advanced degree) or to meet the minimum academic requirements for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics verification. The applicant must submit an application for admission and an official copy of his/her undergraduate transcript showing the degree granted. Additional credentials will be requested as needed.

The department in which the student wishes to study must accept the candidate for pursuit of teacher certification or for completion of verification requirements for the student to be admitted. The department will determine which courses from the first bachelor’s degree will be accepted toward fulfillment of the certification or verification requirements. The student is exempt from taking the placement test and from completing the Fontbonne general education requirements, and the graduation requirement of a course in religion/theology.

The student must complete a minimum residency requirement of 24 credit hours at Fontbonne University. A student contemplating either teacher certification or verification should check with an advisor regarding master’s degree programs at Fontbonne University which might be of added value.

Full information on teacher certification may be found in the section titled Teacher Certification at Fontbonne University immediately following the graduate programs section in this catalog. This includes policies and procedures for students in teacher certification programs, acceptance into the teacher certification program, and final assessment information in teacher certification at Fontbonne University.

Admission of Unclassified Students

A student who does not wish to pursue a degree may register as an unclassified (non-degree seeking) student.

The candidate for unclassified status submits a completed application for admission.

If an unclassified student believes that he or she will pursue a degree at Fontbonne, it is to the student’s advantage to submit with the application, an official transcript of high school or prior college/university level work completed for evaluation purposes.

Unclassified students are not eligible for financial aid.

Change of Status from Unclassified to Degree Seeking

An unclassified student who wishes to change to degree-seeking status must complete an online application and submit required supporting documents to the office of admission. The office of admission (or in the case of an international student, the office of international affairs) will notify the student of any necessary additional credentials. A student who has earned college credit with a grade of D or above in the subject areas represented in the tests is exempt from placement testing. An undergraduate applicant who is not exempt must take the university computerized placement tests before acceptance. Please refer to the placement program section following this admission section.

Acceptance to a degree program requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 and department approval. The student must follow all requirements and curriculum in effect at the time of the change of status. With the approval of the chairperson/dean of the department/college in which the student chooses to major, a maximum of 30 semester credits earned as an unclassified student at Fontbonne may be applied toward a degree. The university reserves the right to dismiss an unclassified student who does not maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Readmission to Fontbonne

Degree-seeking students who have previously attended Fontbonne University, but have not been enrolled for one calendar year are required to apply for readmission. A student who has been dismissed from Fontbonne may apply for readmission after one full calendar year. Readmission requires no application fee. To apply for readmission, candidates must submit:

1. The admission application form.
2. Official transcripts from each accredited, degree-granting college or university attended since leaving Fontbonne. If you originally transferred into Fontbonne and have been gone for 5 years or longer, you will need to request transcripts from any institution you attended before originally enrolling at Fontbonne.

A student re-entering Fontbonne University must follow all requirements, including general education and graduation requirements and curriculum, stated in the catalog in effect at the time of re-entry.

Readmission after a Leave of Absence

An undergraduate degree-seeking student who anticipates a need to leave Fontbonne and expects to return after no more than two semesters (not including summer session) may request a leave of absence. (See leave of absence policy in the undergraduate academic policies and regulations  section in this catalog.)

To re-enter Fontbonne the student may go directly to the registrar’s office for a change in status and for registration materials, beginning at the time of early registration. The student must obtain an advisor’s signature and web clearance to be eligible to register.

Admission to Summer Session

Graduates of accredited high schools, high school students who have completed a minimum of six semesters, and students in good academic standing at another college or university may take summer courses at Fontbonne.

New students may be admitted to the summer session as degree-seeking or as unclassified students.

Unclassified students wishing to continue as degree-seeking students must follow the procedures for change of status from unclassified to degree seeking. Attendance as a summer school student does not guarantee admission to the university as a degree-seeking student.

Admission to the Evening and Online Degree Programs

An off-campus site follows the same admission procedures as described for the various programs.