Admissions

Dillard University admits applicants who possess high standards of scholarship, serious and realistic educational goals, potential for service and leadership, and the personal characteristics of honesty, loyalty and self-respect. The University does not make any distinction as to religion, race, or gender in the admission of its students.

Application for Admission

An application processing fee should accompany the application for admission. This fee is nonrefundable.

The application fee schedule is:

• $36 (Freshmen and Transfer applicants)
• $55 (International applicants)
• $25 (Re-Admit applicants)

Payment should be payable to Dillard University. Checks, money orders or cashier’s checks by mail are accepted. Cash payments are accepted in person at the Cashier’s office. Credit card payments are also accepted in person or online at www.dillard.edu. Click the “Make Payment” link on the homepage.

The completed application should be returned to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming before July 1 (Fall) or December 1 (Spring) of the year the student expects to enroll. Under certain circumstances, later applications will be considered.

Requests for additional information on admissions should be sent to:

The Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming
Dillard University
2601 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70122
admissions@dillard.edu

Freshmen Requirements

High school graduation with a:

• GPA: 2.5 or higher
• ACT: 18 composite or higher
• SAT: 870 or higher (critical reading and math only)
• GED: 450 or higher for tests taken before 2014.

After 2014 the score must be 150 or higher.

The HiSet score must have 8 in all of the subtest scores and a 45 overall.

All Freshmen applicants should submit an official transcript for review to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming. A final high school transcript should be sent prior to enrollment indicating satisfactory completion of the following coursework:

• English 4 Units
• Mathematics 3 Units (to include Algebra I, II, and Geometry)
• Natural Sciences 3 Units (including laboratory components)
• Social Studies 3 Units
• Academic Electives 6 Units (World Language desired but not required)
• Results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) program examination.
• If a prospective student does not meet these requirements, we will consider their application when they submit a personal statement and two (2) letters of recommendation.

Entrance Examinations

All applicants for admission to the freshman class are required to submit scores from a standardized entrance examination to support the academic information supplied by the secondary school. Dillard accepts scores from either the SAT or the ACT. A student who seeks early admission should take the test no later than April of his/her junior year in high school.

Testing procedures, dates and locations can be obtained from the high school counselor or at ACT.org or Collegeboard.com.

Admissions Review Committee

Students who do not meet the admissions standards are referred to the Admissions Review Committee. The Admissions Review Committee will review qualifications and application packages to determine whether additional predictors of success exist as a basis for admission into Emerging Scholars - a summer pre-collegiate bridge program. Other factors, such as choice of degree program, rank in class, scores on required tests (SAT or ACT), credit in advanced placement and honors courses, pattern and quality of courses, grade trends, educational objectives, extracurricular activities, personal essay and school recommendations will be considered in the admission process. In addition, special talents, significant life and career experience will be evaluated and weighed before decisions to offer admission are made. The purpose of the Admissions Committee review is to evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether equivalent predictors of success exist and whether to admit the student on this basis.

Emerging Scholars

Emerging Scholars is a program offered by the Division of Academic Affairs’, Academic Center for Excellence. The program is a six-week course credit bearing program designed to assist students with the transition from high school to college while strengthening basic academic skills for college credit. As a participant, students enroll in three (3) college courses which consist of Math, English and/or Reading. Students also, attend supplemental instruction in academic skills, writing, mathematics, and reading. Further, students are exposed to various cultural enrichment activities and have access to academic, personal, career, and financial aid counseling.

• Demystify their understanding of the mission, structure, processes, and expectations of the college experience;
• Develop the academic and personal management skills necessary to successfully progress through and complete their college experience at Dillard;
• Realize their fuller human aspirations and potential.

Emerging Scholars will participate in academic support programs that are coordinated through the Division of Student Success, Student Support Services. A student is eligible to participate in Student Support Services: if the student is a citizen or national of the United States, is enrolled at Dillard University or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term, has a need for academic and/or counseling support services, is a low-income individual, is a first generation college student (an individual both of whose parents or guardian did not complete a baccalaureate degree), or is an individual with a documented (within three years) disability.

College Board Advanced Placement Program

Students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board may receive credit for each examination in which an acceptable grade is earned. If a student earns a grade of three, four, or five, he/she may be granted credit in the subject areas. Advanced Placement scores below three are not acceptable for course credit. These credits are counted as hours earned and may be applicable toward a degree. These credits do not affect the student’s semester grade point average. Students who have participated in this program and who plan to register at Dillard University should have their Advanced Placement Examination records sent to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming.

The following is a sample grid of Advanced Placement course equivalency at Dillard University:

^{Credit can only be awarded if course prerequisite requirements are met. Additional information on Dillard course equivalents may be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs.}

Courses which have been identified by the high school as honors, advanced placement, accelerated, gifted, talented, or International Baccalaureate, will be evaluated on a 5-point scale. A minimum grade of “C” or above is required to earn the additional quality point(s). The results of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examination subject areas must be submitted to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming prior to enrollment. Applicants who have participated in “concurrent enrollment” programs while in high school may transfer credit hours to Dillard. A grade of “C” or above is necessary for transfer consideration. An official transcript from the college or university must be sent to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Equivalency Table

IB-International Baccalaureate • A number of American and secondary schools abroad participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. This is a comprehensive two-year curriculum leading to examinations and a possible IB diploma if the requirements of the full program are satisfied.

Students are encouraged to submit their IB diploma record or examination results with their application to the University for evaluation. Advanced placement credit may be granted in appropriate subjects to freshmen who earn a grade of 4 or better on the IB higher level examinations. Credit is not allowed for IB subsidiary level examinations.

Policies governing minimum required scores and the acceptance of credit of IB examinations are established by the National Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Credentials and by the appropriate academic departments.

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme is a challenging two-year curriculum, which leads to the awarding of college credit as listed below:

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Credit by Examination is a program allowing students the opportunity to gain academic credit for prior learning they have acquired by self-study or experience. Tests may be taken in many subject areas, and credit may be earned by achieving acceptable scores on these tests. Benefits include saving tuition dollars and shortening the time it takes to earn a degree. Approximately 2,900 postsecondary institutions now offer credit on the basis of CLEP examinations annually. The CLEP exams include General Examinations and Subject Examinations. Both are designed to measure factual knowledge and understanding, problem-solving ability, and mastery of college-level, introductory course content in a wide range of disciplines.

CLEP Test Facts:

• A student who has failed to earn credit in an attempted college course will not receive Credit by taking the CLEP test in the same course. Neither will credit be granted to raise a grade earned in any course.
• A maximum of 21 hours Credit by CLEP may be applied toward graduation.
• Credits earned by examination may not be used as part of the terminal residency requirements (Last 30 hours in the major must be taken at Dillard University).
• Students taking CLEP exams must be a Dillard University student to have the credit applied to DU.
• Students attempting Credit by CLEP Examination in courses in which they are currently enrolled must do so before they have completed one month of the course.

Credits that may be earned by taking the CLEP test listed on the following table.

Early Admission

Students of exceptional promise may be considered for admission to the University after completion of their junior year of high school. These applicants must demonstrate high academic promise as evidenced by high school grades and their scores on the SAT or the ACT. Specifically, these students must have attained a grade point average of 3.50 or better in the first six semesters of high school and a minimum score of 22 ACT or 1030 SAT. In addition to the academic criteria cited above, Dillard University must also acknowledge that each Early Admission candidate is socially mature and emotionally ready for the college experience. Recommendations are required from the counselor and a teacher. These students must satisfy the minimum high school unit requirements as outlined above.

Concurrent Enrollment

Applicants who have participated in “concurrent enrollment” programs while in high school may transfer credit hours to Dillard. A grade of “C” or above is acceptable for transfer consideration. An official transcript from the college or university must be sent to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming.

Eligibility for this program is based on the following criteria:

1. Completion of a minimum of four semesters of high school work (Junior Classification), with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.45.
2. Standardized test results as follows: Minimum combined score of 950 on the SAT or Minimum of composite 20 on the ACT.
3. Recommendation of the high school counselor.
4. Students may enroll during the regular term of their junior or senior years. Summer school does not apply.

Re-admission

Students who drop out for any reason and want to reenter Dillard University must submit an application for re-admission if they have not been enrolled for two or more semesters. If a re-admit applicant has enrolled at another institution since his/her last attendance at Dillard, he/she must have official transcripts sent to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the readmit process by submitting the following documents to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming

1. A completed Readmission application;
2. Two sealed letters of recommendation from professors in the major (professors can also send letters from their Dillard e-mail account);
3. A letter from Student Support Services;
4. A letter from the academic dean; and
5. A letter of appeal explaining the previous performance and goals for achieving optimum success, if readmitted

Transfer Students

Applicants desiring to transfer to Dillard University with advanced standing must submit the following credentials to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming.

1. Admission application with $36.00 application fee
2. Official transcripts from all accredited institutions of collegiate rank that the student has attended
3. Transfer Reference Form
4. Applicants with less than 24 transferrable credits are required to submit high school transcript or GED scores AND ACT/SAT scores

The University evaluates the transcripts of transfer applicants in accordance with its own courses of study and requirements for graduation. Transfer evaluations will not be done until the student has completed the application for admission and paid the $36.00 application fee. Applicants should note the University does not accept more than 60 semester hours of transfer credit and that applicants must complete at least three-fourths of the courses required in their field of concentration at Dillard. Only those courses that a student has received a C or above in will be considered for transfer. Transfer applicants must be in good academic standing at the previous institution. Students who are under suspension from another institution are not eligible for admission. Official transcripts from all institutions that the student has attended must be submitted to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming prior to the start of the semester, or the student will be withdrawn from all courses in which he/she is enrolled.

International Applicants

Dillard University welcomes applicants from countries outside the United States. An applicant who is not a citizen of the United States or who does not possess a permanent residential visa is considered an international applicant.

In addition to the general requirements for admission, international applicants must:

1. Present evidence of the ability to speak, write, and adequately understand the English language. Applicants from countries where English is not the native language must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants who are unable to obtain a TOEFL bulletin and registration form locally should write to TOEFL, 660 Rosedale Rd., Princeton, New Jersey 08541.
2. Submit the results of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
3. If your academic credentials are from an institution outside of the United States, you are required to provide a course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials. Transcripts evaluated from another service recognized by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) will be reviewed by the Office or Recruitment, Admissions, and Programming. Available listing of NACES members, may be found at http://www.naces.org/members.htm. It is your responsibility to provide the necessary paperwork and payment to NACES agency, and to request a copy of the report is sent to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming at Dillard University. The completed evaluation report must be received by the appropriate admission deadline. The evaluation copy provided to Dillard University becomes an official academic record document and the sole property of the University upon receipt.
4. Applicants from Canada and the Caribbean Islands are exempt from this requirement and may submit transcripts and CXC results (if applicable) directly to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming.
5. Students who have taken the Oxford/Cambridge Advanced Level Examinations and have attained passing grades (A-C), may be eligible for college credit in equivalent courses in certain subject areas as determined by the dean of the academic area.
6. Submit proof of financial capability by having a sponsor who will accept full financial responsibility for the duration of his or her enrollment and by a) depositing to the University a sum that is equal to the applicable tuition and/or housing deposit for the intended semester of enrollment. b) depositing to the University the required tuition, fees, room and board payment as set by the University for fiscal clearance for all students no later than 30 days prior to the first day of the last SOAR session.

The I-20 Immigration Form will not be issued until the applicant has been admitted and submitted the appropriate fees to attend Dillard University. It is advisable for all international applicants to apply well in advance of the expected term of enrollment to facilitate the processing of records and the issuance of the I-20 Immigration Form. In compliance with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, all international applicants must include their home address from the country of origin. All admissions information will be sent to this address, unless the applicant is presently residing in the United States. Students should check the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service website at http://uscis.gov for the latest information concerning becoming a student in the United States.

Special Students

Matriculating Special Students

Students who have already earned a college degree either at Dillard University or at another college or university may apply to matriculate for a second degree. Interested students should confer with the dean of the college in which they plan to pursue a second degree.

Non-Matriculating Special Students

Non-Matriculating students are not candidates for a Dillard degree, though they may receive college credit for the courses they take. They must meet minimum requirements for admission to the University and are permitted to elect the courses for which they qualify. Such students have the same class privileges and responsibilities as other students, and are required to observe all University regulations governing students.

Transient Students (Special Visiting)

Students in good standing at an accredited college or university may be admitted to Dillard University as transient students for a specified period of time, usually not more than one term.

A statement by the academic dean or registrar of the applicant’s regular college indicating good standing and approval of the desired courses are required. It is the responsibility of transient students to check with the academic college offering the desired courses at Dillard to determine if they have met course prerequisites and/or have the necessary preparation to take the course(s). Transient enrollment does not constitute formal matriculation. If at any time transient students desire to change their status and enroll as degree-seeking students, they must complete a formal application and meet the admission requirements as transfer applicants.

Notification of Admission

New students are admitted prior to the beginning of each semester. Dillard University operates on a rolling admission basis and applications are reviewed throughout the year. Applicants will be notified in writing of their admission status as early as possible after the receipt of their credentials. Under no circumstances should applicants present themselves for registration without having received written notification of acceptance.

Proof of Immunization

A proof of immunization form which certifies that the student has met specific health requirements should be submitted to the Office of Student Health Services at least two weeks prior to registration.

Requests for information about Dillard University and admission application forms should be sent to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA 70122. The completed application should be mailed to the Office of Recruitment, Admissions and Programming, The priority deadline for admission for the fall semester is December 1 and September 1 for the spring semester. Under certain circumstances, later applications will be considered. An application fee should accompany the application for admission.

Orientation

(Student Orientation, Advising and Registration, SOAR)

All new students are required to attend the Dillard University Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) for the semester in which they have received written notification of acceptance. SOAR is designed to provide all new students-whether freshman, transfer, resident, commuter, or non-traditional student-with an array of programs and workshops. These activities introduce new students to Dillard University and prepare them for a successful college experience.