Admission

Admission Policy

The general purpose of this policy is to set forth the standards for admission to Flagler College. Flagler serves a predominately full-time student body and seeks to enroll students who can benefit from the type of educational experience the College offers. Because of the College’s unique mission and its distinctive characteristics, some students may benefit more from an educational experience at Flagler than others. It is desirable, therefore, that the College follow admission standards and procedures designed to select from among the applicants those students most likely to succeed academically, to contribute significantly to the student life program a Flagler, and to become graduates of the College. Flagler College, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, is an equal opportunity institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic in its admission, treatment, or access to, or employment in, its programs or activities.

Each applicant is evaluated individually, and admission is based on academic preparation, scholastic aptitude, and personal qualities. Primary consideration is given to the student’s previous academic record including the quality of course selection, grades, consistency of academic performance, and standardized test scores. Other factors taken into consideration may include the student’s motivation, initiative, maturity, seriousness of purpose, intended field of study, and leadership potential.

Admission Procedures

A student may submit an application any time after the completion of the junior year in high school. It is recommended, however, that students wait until the fall of their senior year before submitting an application. Freshmen or transfers may apply for admission to the fall or spring terms.

Freshmen applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Completed application, including essay
2. Application fee of $50 (non-refundable)
3. Self reported high school transcript
4. Official test scores from either the SAT or the ACT
5. Secondary School Report (Recommendation)

Admission Requirements for Freshmen

For freshmen applicants, the high school record is the most important factor in determining admission to the College. The admission process takes into consideration the pattern and quality of course selection, grades, standardized test scores, an essay, secondary school recommendation, and participation in extracurricular activities. Although a campus visit is not required as a part of the admission process, it is highly recommended.

All freshmen applicants are required to submit score results from the SAT or the ACT. The College strongly recommends a 500 on the Math section of the SAT, or a 21 on the Math section of the ACT for students interested in the Coastal Environmental Science and Finance major.

Freshmen applicants must complete a minimum of 16 units in grades 9 through 12. While a prescribed course of study is not required, prospective students are advised to take four years of English, four years of mathematics (to include Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry), three years of science (one laboratory science), and four years of social studies and academic electives. The College will calculate a core GPA taking into consideration a college-preparatory schedule. Applicants should realize that the aforementioned courses represent the minimum preparation and are not necessarily considered satisfactory or recommended preparation for college-level work in every undergraduate area of study.

Secondary School Report (Recommendation)

The Secondary School Report (Recommendation) is regarded as an important factor in the admission process. The report should be an academic and personal evaluation of the applicant. It may, however, be a compilation of observations by one of the student’s high school teachers attesting to the applicant’s abilities and character.

When all items pertinent to the admission process have been received and evaluated, the application will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for a decision. In some instances, the Committee will hold an application and defer action until additional information has been received. For example, the Committee may want to review seventh semester grades or may request a retake of either the SAT or the ACT.

Transfer applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Completed application, including essay
2. Official transcript of high school record (if applicant has earned less than 24 semester hours of credit)
3. Official transcript from each college or university previously attended
4. ACT or SAT scores at the discretion of the Admissions Transfer Coordinator.

Admission Requirements for Transfers

Applicants transferring from another institution must be in good standing with a satisfactory grade point average for all work attempted and must be eligible to return to the institution last attended. Applicants with a cumulative transfer GPA of 2.0 or less are strongly encouraged to complete course work at a regionally accredited institution and work towards raising their overall transfer GPA. Transfer applicants from four-year institutions may receive a maximum of 75 semester hours of credit awarded. Applicants who transfer from junior or community colleges will be allowed no more than 64 semester hours of credit toward the completion of degree requirements at Flagler. Recipients of the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree are generally admitted at the junior level. Applicants who transfer from senior institutions must complete the last 45 semester hours at Flagler, not including departmentally-required internships.

The College imposes a minimum testing requirement for students planning to major in Education. All Education majors must have a combined score (Critical Reading plus Mathematics) of at least 1010 on a single administration of the SAT or a composite score of at least 21 on the ACT. Please note that if students have already completed their A.A. degree, the minimum test score requirement for the Education department will not apply to their application. The College strongly recommends a 500 on the Math section of the SAT, or a 21 on the Math section of the ACT for students interested in the Coastal Environmental Science or Finance major.

Transfer credits will generally be granted for courses in which a grade of “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better was earned from regionally accredited institutions. Students who have successfully completed the requirements for an A.A. degree may transfer up to three courses in which a “D” grade was earned, provided the total number of transfer credits does not exceed 64 semester hours. The amount of transfer credit and advanced standing allowed by the College will be determined by the Registrar. In some instances, the department chair is consulted prior to awarding transfer credits. Transfer students are responsible for submitting all official transcripts, CLEP, IB, AICE, or AP score reports, and for confirming their level of advanced standing prior to registering for classes at Flagler.

Quality points earned for transfer credits are not used in computing a student’s grade point average at Flagler.

International applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Completed application, including essay
2. Application fee of $50 (non-refundable)
3. Official high school/secondary school transcripts or leaving certificates
4. Proof of English proficiency. This can be accomplished by submitting any one of the following: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, or passing scores in English on the GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, BGCSE, CXC, CAPE or IB examinations.
5. International Form

As stated above, the application fee must accompany all applications for admission. The fee covers the cost of processing the application and is neither refundable nor applicable to other fees. Responses on the application form and on related materials must be complete and accurate. Entrance to Flagler College may be denied or registration may be canceled as a result of submitting false or misleading statements.

International Students

Flagler College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students and welcomes applications from international students. Since correspondence for admission can be extensive and time-consuming, it is strongly recommended that international students initiate application procedures well in advance of the start of the semester in which the student plans to enter.

Students from other countries must submit transcripts of all secondary and university work attempted and all Leaving Certificate or Certificates of Completion. Flagler College must have English translations certified as being true and correct by either the United States Consulate or the Educational Ministry in the student’s native country. International students seeking advanced standing for completed coursework must have transcripts professionally evaluated.

In addition to meeting the regular admission requirements, all applicants from other countries whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This can be accomplished by submitting any one of the following – SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, or passing scores in English on the GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, BGCSE, CXC, CAPE or IB examinations. Official scores must be submitted with the application for admission. Students who are not proficient in English and whose records are not indicative of successful academic performance will not be admitted.

Upon admission, international students must demonstrate proof of financial responsibility by submitting payment for the first semester tuition, fees, health insurance, and, if required to live on campus, room and meals. An I-20 form will be issued only after the student has been admitted as a full-time student and has submitted the required fees and bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds to cover the subsequent term.

Master of Arts Graduate Program Admission Requirements:

See Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, MA .

Early Decision Plan

In the selection process, the Admissions Committee gives preference to students who have selected Flagler as their first choice college. To identify these students, the College has developed an Early Decision Plan for freshmen and transfers who are applying for the fall semester. The Early Decision Plan is a voluntary option for applicants to declare that Flagler is their first choice college. Students who elect to apply under this option understand that their application will be acted upon before those who choose to apply under the Regular Decision Plan. The deadline to submit an application under the Early Decision Plan is the 1st of November and formal notification will be sent in writing on or before the 15th of December.

An advance deposit of $200 must be submitted with the Enrollment Confirmation Form to accept admission to the College. The deposit is not refundable and is forfeited if the student does not enroll. Upon enrollment, the deposit is credited toward the spring semester tuition charges.

In addition, a $200 room reservation deposit must be submitted with the Application for Student Housing by students living in a College residence hall. The room deposit is not refundable and is forfeited if the student does not enroll. Upon enrollment, the deposit is credited toward the spring semester housing charges.

Students living on campus should submit one payment for $400 to cover both the advance deposit and the room reservation deposit.

Students admitted under the Early Decision Plan are required to withdraw applications submitted to other colleges and to confirm their decision to attend Flagler by the 15th of January.

Regular Decision Plan

For students unable to make the commitments required under the Early Decision Plan, the College offers a Regular Decision Plan with a deadline of the 1st of March. Regular Decision applicants are notified after the Early Decision applicants and understand that Early Decision candidates are given preference as the fall class is selected. Formal notification of admission of Regular Decision candidates with completed applications will be sent on or before March 31st and will continue until the class is filled.

An advance deposit of $200 must be submitted with the Enrollment Confirmation Form to accept admission to the College. The deposit is not refundable and is forfeited if the student does not enroll. Upon enrollment, the deposit is credited toward the spring semester tuition charge. The deposit is non-refundable if the student does not attend in the spring term.

In addition, a $200 room reservation deposit must be submitted with the Application for Student Housing by students living in a College residence hall. The room deposit is not refundable and is forfeited if the student does not enroll. Upon enrollment, the deposit is credited to the student’s spring housing charges. The deposit is non-refundable if the student does not attend in the spring term.

Students living on campus should submit one payment for $400 to cover both the advance deposit and the room reservation deposit.

Deadlines for submitting deposits are as follows: May 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester. If the deposit is not received by the above deadline, the student’s spot in the class may be forfeited to a candidate on the waiting list.

Early Admission

The College may accept a limited number of students who have completed three years of secondary school and wish to enter college prior to graduation. A candidate for early admission must have at least 13 units and superior grades in college preparatory subjects. In addition, the candidate must submit superior scores from either the SAT or the ACT. Letters of recommendation should attest to the candidate’s character, emotional and social maturity, and readiness for college-level work. Students applying for early admission should understand that the aforementioned factors represent minimum requirements. Admission to Flagler after only three years of secondary school is generally discouraged and highly competitive. Arrangements for the awarding of a high school diploma are the student’s responsibility.

Admission to Spring Semester

For students applying for the spring semester, the Office of Admissions begins notifying applicants on a rolling basis after the fall class has closed, and continues admitting students until the class is filled. Space for the January semester can be quite limited, and students desiring on-campus housing are advised to complete their applications early.

Entrance Examinations

All applicants are required to submit official test scores from either the SAT or the ACT. In addition to using the results to evaluate applicants for admission, the scores are used in course selection and placement. Applicants will receive no more than 30 semester hours of advanced standing based on AP, AICE, CAPE, CLEP and/or IB tests.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program may be eligible for transfer credit or advanced placement at Flagler College. Course credit is generally granted for each AP examination passed with a score of 3, 4, or 5 in courses comparable to Flagler courses and appropriate to the degree program. A score of 3 will not satisfy general education, major, and/or minor course requirements.

Students must submit official score reports of the AP examinations. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the College, and students should not assume that credit will be awarded automatically. Students should consult with the Office of Admissions to determine level of placement or the amount of credit to be granted for AP.

Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)

Flagler College will award AICE transfer credit for examination scores of A, B, C, D, and E. Scores of D and E will not satisfy general education, major, and/or minor course requirements.

Students are required to forward official AICE examination results to the Office of Admissions. Students should consult with the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar to determine the amount of credit to be granted for AICE examinations.

Cambridge International Advanced Level Examinations (A levels)

Flagler College considers Cambridge International Advanced Level Examination (A level) credentials for transfer credit or advanced placement. The College reviews and evaluates A Level examinations results on an individual basis in the context of the student’s proposed area of study. The amount of credit and placement are subject to approval by the appropriate academic department. Course credit is generally granted for each A level examination passed with a grade of A, B or C.

Students are required to forward A level examination results to the Office of Admissions. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the College and students should not assume that credit will be awarded automatically. Students should consult with the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar to determine the level of placement or the amount of credit to be granted for A level examinations.

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)

Flagler College considers Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination credentials for transfer credit or advanced placement. The College reviews and evaluates CAPE examinations results on an individual basis in the context of the student’s proposed area of study. The amount of credit and placement are subject to approval by the appropriate academic department. Course credit is generally granted for each CAPE examination passed with a grade of I, II or III where two CAPE units have been earned.

Students are required to forward CAPE examination result sheets to the Office of Admissions. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the College and students should not assume that credit will be awarded automatically. Students should consult with the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar to determine the level of placement or the amount of credit to be granted for CAPE examinations.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Individuals seeking admission with advanced standing may submit the results of the General Examinations offered by the College Level Examination Program. Applicants achieving scores of at least 50 on the General Examinations will receive six semester hours of credit for each of the following areas: College Composition and College Composition Modular, Humanities, Social Sciences and History, College Mathematics, Natural Sciences. No credit will be awarded for CLEP Subject Examinations. Furthermore, advanced standing on the basis of CLEP scores will be awarded only prior to the student’s initial enrollment at Flagler College. No credit will be granted for an area in which the student has already received college credit.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Flagler College considers IB Higher Level credentials for possible transfer credit. The College reviews and evaluates IB Higher Level courses on an individual basis in the context of a student’s proposed area of study. The amount of credit and placement are subject to approval by the appropriate academic department. Course credit is generally granted for each Higher Level examination passed with a score of 4, 5, 6 or 7. A score of 4 will not satisfy general education, major, and/or minor course requirements. Credit is awarded only for classes at Higher Level; no credit is awarded for IB Subsidiary examinations, regardless of the scores earned.

Students are required to forward IB transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the College, and students should not assume that credit will be awarded automatically. Students should consult with the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar to determine level of placement or the amount of credit to be granted for IB examinations. See the charts below to reference score requirements.

Transfer of Credits

Applicants transferring from another institution must be in good standing and must be eligible to return to the college or university previously attended. Transfer applicants from four-year institutions may receive a maximum of 75 semester hours of credit awarded. Recipients of the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree are generally admitted at the junior level; however, applicants who transfer from community/junior colleges will be allowed no more than 64 semester hours of credit toward the completion of degree requirements at Flagler.

Transfer credits will generally be granted for courses in which a grade of “C” or better was earned from regionally accredited institutions. Grades are not transferable; hence, quality points earned for transfer credits are not used in computing a student’s grade point average at Flagler.

Students who have successfully completed the requirements for an A.A. degree may transfer up to three courses in which a “D” grade was earned, provided the total number of transfer credits does not exceed 64 semester hours. In accordance with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) Articulation Agreement, Flagler College, as a member of ICUF, provides some basic guarantees to transfer students who have earned an A.A. degree from any member institution of the State of Florida public university system. This guarantee includes the transfer of 60 credits to be applied toward the awarding of the baccalaureate degree and completion of the general education requirements at Flagler College.

The amount of transfer credit and advanced standing allowed by the College will be determined by the Office of the Registrar. In some instances, the Office of Academic Affairs and/or department chairs are consulted prior to awarding transfer credit. Transfer students are responsible for submitting all official transcripts, CAPE, CLEP, International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), or Advanced Placement test scores, and for confirming their level of advanced standing prior to registering for classes at Flagler.

Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Credit

Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Examination Credit

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Examination Credit

International Baccalaureate (IB) Examination Credit

Credit Appeals Process

Upon completion of the credit review processes, students will be notified of the decision by the Office of the Registrar. A student wishing to challenge course credits deemed ineligible for credit must file a written appeal with the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for reconsideration. Within ten business days of receipt of the appeal, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs will notify the student of the results of the review. Any changes will be communicated to the Office of the Registrar for official processing. A student dissatisfied with the results of the appeal may submit a written appeal to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty for a final review. The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty provides dated acknowledgement of receipt of the appeal to the student. Within ten business days of receipt of the appeal, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty will notify the student of the results of the review. Any changes will be communicated to the Office of the Registrar for official processing.

Military Training and Education Transfer Credit Policy

Students should forward all documentation of prior learning to the Office of Admissions, who then sends the information to the Registrar for evaluation.

Flagler College (St. Augustine campus) may award up to 15 hours of academic credit for military training, education, or experience. The College may additionally award four (4) hours of service credit for documented military service or past service with an honorable, general, or entry-level (uncharacterized) discharge. If awarded, these four (4) hours shall be applied to elective requirements only.

A maximum of 15 academic credit hours and 4 service credit hours may be applied toward general education and elective requirements. With the concurrence of the appropriate department chair, academic credit may be applied toward courses in the major field of study. The decision to award credit shall be based on review by appropriate parties of any or all of the following documents:

1. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Form DD-214).
2. Joint Service Transcript (JST) American Council on Education (ACE) college credit recommendation.
3. Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) transcript.
4. U.S. Armed Forces Institute (ISAFI) transcript.
5. The Guide to Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services
6. Other service school or military academy transcripts

Students with Disabilities

The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) provides information and assistance to students who have qualifying disabilities and are in need of reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to education as intended by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Services are varied depending on individual needs and include counseling and referrals, classroom accommodations, test accommodations, special registration, the services of a scribe, note-taker, interpreter, reader, and the use of specialized equipment and adaptive technology.

Any student wishing to receive services/accommodations at Flagler College must first register with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. Specific documentation of a disability, from a qualified professional, is required. To ensure timely services, requests for accommodations should be made prior to the beginning of each semester; however a student may initiate the registration process at any time. All students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the OSSD as soon as possible after acceptance to make arrangements for academic accommodations.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities about his or her disability and to provide documentation by a qualified professional that validates the student’s eligibility for academic accommodations. Contact OSSD for specific documentation requirements.

The provision of reasonable accommodations and services will be based upon an assessment of the impact of the student’s disabilities on his or her academic performance. Therefore, it is in the student’s best interest to provide recent and appropriate documentation relevant to the learning environment. If data provided is insufficient or outdated, the College reserves the right to request additional and/or updated information.

Once appropriate documentation of the disability has been received in the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities and the student has signed a release which permits notification of the disability, the Director of Disability Services will assist the student in procuring the services of qualified interpreters, note-takers, and readers, if needed. The Director may also assist in providing the student with accessible texts and modified examination procedures. Personal aids, such as prescription eyeglasses, hearing aids and tape recorders, will not be furnished by the College. Additional information regarding disability services may be found in The Student Handbook and on the college website under Disability Services.

Readmission

Former students whose enrollment at Flagler has been voluntarily or involuntarily interrupted, including academic suspension or dismissal, must petition the Office of the Registrar in writing for readmission to the College. The request for readmission must include reasons for leaving Flagler and for wanting to return. All requests must include current contact information and the semester for which readmission is being requested. See Academic Information  for more information.

Agreements

It is agreed by those applying for admission to Flagler that: Attendance at Flagler is a privilege granted solely by the College. The student is subject to dismissal for the submission of false or misleading information.

The College reserves the right of final decision relative to course requirements for any degree program offered by the College and the content of individual courses. The College also reserves the right to modify requirements for admission at any time.

Students enrolled by the College will comply with all college rules and with local, state, and federal laws. Students will abide by college disciplinary policies and procedures. The College reserves the right to suspend or expel students for violations of the rules. In such cases, tuition and fees paid to the College will not be refunded.

The College reserves the right to dismiss, suspend, or require the withdrawal of a student whose conduct or enrollment is deemed contrary to the best interest of the College.

Visiting the Campus

Prospective students and their families are encouraged to schedule a visit to Flagler College to attend an information session and tour the campus. On weekdays, Office of Admissions representatives conduct group information sessions, and campus tours are led by one of our Student Ambassadors. It is highly recommended that campus visits be scheduled while the College is in session and students are on campus. It is best to avoid vacation and final examination periods because students are away from campus (see College Calendar ) although visits may be scheduled throughout the year.

Please visit us online at www.flagler.edu at least three weeks in advance to schedule a mutually convenient time to learn more about our campus. The Office of Admissions is open on weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located in Hanke Hall at 63 Cordova Street in the heart of downtown St. Augustine.