Admission to the University

Undergraduate Admission Policy

Students are admitted full-time (four or five courses, 12-17 credit enrollment and registration load) or part-time (up to 11 credits).

The University of New Haven is committed to equal access to educational opportunities and welcomes applicants regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, economic level, or geographic area.

Students wishing to enroll in any course at the University, regardless of whether they seek a degree, must first satisfy the admission procedures specified below. Some academic majors may have additional admission requirements. An individual becomes a student of the University of New Haven only after completing the admissions requirements, being officially accepted, submitting a decision response form with a corresponding enrollment fee, and registering for courses.  The University requires all students to submit a non-refundable/non-transferable enrollment fee in order to hold their placement in and register for courses for their incoming semester. Enrollment fees for new incoming students are due May 1 for the fall semester and January 8 for the spring semester.

Full-Time Admission

Applying to the University

The University of New Haven offers Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision admission for first-year students interested in applying for the fall semester.  Our admissions staff begins reviewing applications on a rolling basis for the fall semester as they become complete after September 1. Students should expect to receive a decision on their completed application within 4-6 weeks of when the application is complete. To begin the application, prospective students should go to www.newhaven.edu/apply.  Prospective first-year students will apply through the Common Application www.commonapp.org.  Prospective transfer students can utilize the Common Application www.commonapp.org or use our own application at www.newhaven.edu/apply. 
 

Note: Veteran and Military personnel should follow the admissions process for transfer students.

Important Dates The University of New Haven offers one binding and three non-binding admission programs for fall admission and one non-binding admission program for spring admission.  To be considered for certain programs, prospective students must follow the established timelines and important dates which are noted in the details below.

Early Decision

If the University of New Haven is your definite first choice, you should plan to apply under Early Decision.  By applying for Early Decision, students contractually agree to enroll at the University of New Haven if offered admission. If accepted under Early Decision, students then must withdraw their applications from all other institutions.  All application materials must be submitted to the University and students must complete a personal interview with a member of the undergraduate admissions staff no later than December 1.

December 1 (or earlier) - application and all required materials due.

Notification of admission decisions for Early Decision applicants are provided no later than December 15.

February 1 (or earlier) - Submit the Decision Response Form and non-refundable/non-transferable $300 Enrollment Fee, and if applicable, $200 Housing Deposit. 

Early Action I

If the University of New Haven is one of your top choices, but you would like to keep your options open, you should plan to apply under Early Action I. Early Action I is non-binding, and the decision deadline is May 1. 

December 15 (or earlier) - application and all required materials due.
Notification of admission decisions for Early Action applicants are provided no later than January 15.
May 1 (or earlier) - Submit the Decision Response Form and non-refundable/non-transferable $300 Enrollment Fee, and if applicable, $200 Housing Deposit.

EARLY ACTION II

Prospective first-year students who have missed the December 15 Early Action I deadline, but consider the University of New Haven as one of their top choices, should plan to apply under Early Action II. Early Action II is non-binding, and the decision deadline is May 1. 

February 15 (or earlier) - application and all required materials due.

Notification of admission decisions for Early Action II applicants is provided within 4-6 weeks of when the application is made complete. 

May 1 (or earlier) - Submit the Decision Response Form and non-refundable/non-transferable $300 Enrollment Fee, and if applicable, $200 Housing Deposit.

Early Decision and Early Action Benefits

Regular Decision

Based on space availability in certain majors after the Early Decision and Early Action deadlines, prospective first-year students may still apply and admission decisions will be determined on a rolling basis. Admission decisions will be provided within 4-6 weeks of when the application is made complete.

May 1 - Submit the Decision Response Form and non-refundable/non-transferable $300 Enrollment Fee, and if applicable, $200 Housing Deposit.

Spring Admission

The University considers prospective first-year and transfer students for spring semester admission. We recommend completing the application no later than the first week of January, as the spring semester begins on January 16, with an orientation and course registration taking place for all new students on January 12. We will accept applications for spring admission no later than January 8.

Placement

Incoming students are placed in courses in English and mathematics according to their individual abilities as demonstrated through the University placement testing program.  Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams, or transfer credit from previous official college records may be used instead of the placement exam on a case-by-case basis. Some students may be placed in courses designed to upgrade their skills in particular subject areas and prepare them for more advanced courses at the University. Students enrolling in majors offered through our Music department are required to take a placement test for music theory in the first year at the University. Students pursuing any of our modern languages may be required to take our modern language placement if they are continuing a language previously studied.  In addition to use for placement purposes, transfer credit may also be awarded to students who submit scores of 3 or greater on AP Exams, scores of 4 or greater on IB Exams, or official college transcript(s) illustrating grades of C or better on 1000-level or higher courses.

Admission Procedure: Full-Time First-Year Students

• Complete and submit the Undergraduate Application for admission.  The application is available on the Common Application at www.commonapp.org.
• Submit an official secondary/high school transcript or satisfactory General Equivalency Diploma (GED) to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. (Note: The Right of Privacy Act requires that you must request your official transcripts. The University of New Haven cannot request them on your behalf.) If you are currently attending secondary/high school, you must send us your final high school transcript indicating graduation date as soon as it becomes available.
• Submit official SAT or ACT scores for required programs and populations. Our SAT code is 3663 and our ACT code is 0576.
• Submit at least one letter of recommendation from an academic source.
• A personal essay is optional but recommended. The personal essay should be between 250 and 650 words.
• Applicants to our Art & Design Department (Art, Graphic and Digital Design, Interior Design, and Interior Design with a Pre-Architecture concentration) must also submit a portfolio for admission. Eligible students meeting specific deadlines may be considered for portfolio scholarships ranging from $1,000-$4,000 annually. 

Admission Procedure: Home-Schooled or High School Equivalency Applicants  

Home-schooled applicants, in addition to submitting their application and essay, are required to also submit their SAT or ACT scores along with detailed documentation of their academic curriculum. The transcript (or accompanying syllabi or alternate documentation) should verify that the home-school curriculum meets the graduation requirements as detailed by the applicant's state or district, or if part of an accredited program. This also includes documentation of any learning/credits outside of the homeschool but which contributed to completion of the high school diploma/credential. Home-schooled students must indicate that they're completing high school through a home-school program on their application to the University.
Prior to enrollment, home-schooled students must provide proof of their completion of secondary school that verifies that the student has met graduation requirements from their state or school district. This can be achieved by submitting a final transcript with a graduation date, official high school equivalency diploma, or a high school diploma recognized by the applicant's state of residency.

Applicants that were homeschooled for a limited time during high school but have returned to a program through their district and plan to graduate through their district may follow our standard first-year student application process. Applicants that have transitioned from their district to a home-school program and will complete their high school education through a home-school program should follow the application process for a home-schooled applicant.
Applicants who have obtained a high school equivalency diploma, such as GED or HiSET, are required to submit their equivalency diploma and scores, as well as an application and essay, transcripts detailing any high school or college coursework completed, and a set of SAT or ACT scores.

Additionally, we have just tweaked our admissions procedure for Full-Time First-Year Students. We'd like to update the last 3 bullet points in that section to read as follows:
 

• A letter of recommendation is optional but recommended. 
• An essay is required. The essay should be between 250 and 650 words, and the Common App essay fulfils this requirement.
• Applicants to our Art & Design Department (Art and Creative Technology, Graphic and Digital Design, Interior Design, and Interior Design with a Pre-Architecture concentration) must also submit a portfolio for admission. Eligible students meeting specific deadlines may be considered for portfolio scholarships ranging from $1,000-$4,000 annually. 

Admission Procedure: Full-Time Transfer Students

• Prospective transfer students can utilize the Common Application www.commonapp.org or use our own application at www.newhaven.edu/apply. 
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have enrolled in courses at.
• Submit an official secondary/high school transcript or diploma indicating graduation date or satisfactory General Equivalency Diploma (GED) which includes the date of graduation.
• Students completing fewer than twelve credits from their previous college(s), must also submit official SAT or ACT scores for required programs and populations. Our SAT code is 3663 and ACT code is 0576.
• A personal essay highlighting why you wish to continue your education at the University is optional but recommended. 
• Transfer applicants to our Art & Design Department (Art, Graphic and Digital Design, Interior Design, and Interior Design with a Pre-Architecture concentration) must also submit a portfolio for admission. Eligible students meeting specific deadlines may be considered for portfolio scholarships ranging from $1,000-$4,000 annually.
• Transfer applicants for our Dental Hygiene programs are required to submit one letter of recommendation from an academic source.

Note: Veteran and Military personnel should follow the admissions process for transfer students.  In addition to the required application materials, a Joint Services Transcript (JST) should be submitted.

The University of New Haven reviews applications for prospective transfer students on a rolling basis. Students can apply for admission at any time throughout the year and receive a decision shortly after all required materials are received. Accepted transfer students will receive a transfer credit evaluation (TCE) indicating how their previous credits will transfer into their academic degree program.

Part-Time Admission

The University of New Haven follows a rolling admission process for students interested in attending part-time.  Applications are considered up until the start of the academic term for both the spring and fall semesters.  However, we strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they become complete. Students should expect to receive a decision on their completed application within 2-4 weeks of when the application is complete. To begin the application, prospective part-time first-year and transfer students should go to www.newhaven.edu/apply.

Part-Time Student Admission Requirements

• Complete the Undergraduate Application for Part-time Admission available on our website, www.newhaven.edu/apply.  
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have enrolled in courses at.
• Submit an official secondary/high school transcript or diploma indicating graduation date or satisfactory General Equivalency Diploma (GED) which includes the date of graduation.
• Students completing fewer than twelve credits from their previous college(s) must submit official SAT or ACT scores for required programs and populations. Our SAT code is 3663 and ACT code is 0576.
• A personal essay highlighting why you wish to continue your education at the University is optional but recommended. 
• Military or Veteran students must submit an official Joint Services Transcript.

Non-Degree/Visiting Part-Time Students

Students applying to University of New Haven as a Non-Degree/Visiting Student should select "Non-Degree" as their intended major. Non-Degree/Visiting Students do not have to submit official transcripts. However, if you intend to register for a course that has a prerequisite you will be required to submit copies of your college academic transcript(s) to verify that you have met any prerequisite requirements for your course(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for Non-Degree/Visiting Students.

Non-Degree students are NOT eligible for financial aid.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: (if applicable)

High School Students: Due to space limitations in our courses at the University of New Haven, students who are still in high school are not eligible to take a part-time course during the main academic year unless they are in one of our special partnership programs. High school students who are entering their junior or senior year of high school are eligible to take summer session courses.

International Students:  If you are not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, you must submit copies of your current Immigration documents to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. International students attending another college or ELS program in the U.S. on an F-1 Student Visa who wish to take courses at the University must also submit a letter from the International Student Services Office at their current school verifying their immigration status. The letter must also give permission for you to enroll at the University and for which specific term.

Auditing

Matriculation is the formal act of registering to study for a specific degree offered by the University. Matriculation is, therefore, not automatic. A student must request matriculation by seeking admission to a specific University degree program. Formal acceptance into a degree program shall constitute the granting of matriculation.

Students seeking credit to be transferred to another institution, or simply wishing to audit courses or to take them without working toward a degree, need not matriculate. Non-matriculated or matriculated students must register to take their chosen courses, however, and will be allowed to enroll in courses as auditors only as space permits and with instructor approval. It is the student's responsibility to seek matriculation should they later decide to pursue a University of New Haven degree. Online courses are not eligible for auditing. Students may not audit more than two courses prior to matriculation.

Admission Procedure: International Students

Undergraduate admission requirements for international undergraduate applicants seeking a bachelor's degree as a first-year applicant. (Students who just finished, or are in the process of finishing, Secondary/High School)

1. Submit a complete Online Application for International Undergraduate Students or apply through the Common Application.

2. Submit official certified copies of senior secondary/high school records. This includes all grade reports, mark sheets, academic transcripts, final examination results, diplomas, and degree certificates such as Senior Secondary School Leaving Certificate, Std. X (SSC), Std. XII (HSC), O-Levels, A-Levels, IB, WAEC, CXC, etc.

Important note: An explanation of your high school grading system must be provided along with your transcripts. Many foreign high schools issue transcripts with a clear explanation of their grading system on the back or on the last page of the transcript.

Chinese applicants are strongly encouraged to verify their transcripts by China Qualifications Verification Agency (CQV) and submit their verifications along with their transcripts.

International transcripts in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified evaluation by one of the 4 professional credential evaluation agencies listed below:

• World Education Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators
• SpanTran Education Services
• World Education Services

3. Submit at least one letter of recommendation from an academic source (teacher or  guidance counselor).

4. Submit a personal essay. The essay is an opportunity for us to get to know you as a person, not just your grades and test scores. It also gives us an example of how you express yourself and demonstrates your ability to organize your thoughts. The personal essay should be between 250 and 650 words on a topic of your choice.

5. The University of New Haven does not require students interested in most of our academic programs to submit test scores. 

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, AEPP-EAP Test Requirements:

All non-native English speaking undergraduate international applicants must demonstrate English language competency in one of the following ways BEFORE they can enroll in a degree program at the University of New Haven:

• IELTS - 6.0
• TOEFL - 75
• SAT - 450 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score
• Pearson Test of English - 53
• Duolingo - 100
• An AEPP Certificate of Completion of Advanced Level 4, English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Fresh Start Readmission Option

This option for admission to the University of New Haven is available to those students who experienced a poor start to their college education and have prepared themselves to begin again.  The option allows eligible students to gain readmission to the University to continue their study without undue burden from their first attempt

Eligibility

The Fresh Start option is available to a student under these circumstances:

1. The student was an undergraduate dismissed from the University for academic reasons (failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress) or who withdrew voluntarily from the University with a cumulative GPA less than 2.0.

2. At least one full academic year has elapsed since the last term during which the student was matriculated at the University.

3. The student has completed 60 or fewer credits hours while at the University, not including transfer credit.

4. The student has not used the Fresh Start option previously (may only be used once).

5. The Fresh Start option may not be available for all academic majors.

6. An application for readmission under the Fresh Start option is submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, who makes the readmission decision in consultation with the Office of the Provost.

7. Each case is decided on its own merits.
 

Features of the Fresh Start Option

1. The student's prior courses and grades remain on the student's transcript and permanent record.  The date of Fresh Start readmission is noted on the transcript and permanent record.

2. Similar to transfer students, courses taken prior to the Fresh Start earning grades of C or better (2.0) are applicable to the graduation requirements.  Some courses may need to be retaken, at the discretion of the major advisor, if an updated version of the course has been introduced since the last time it was taken by the student.

3. The student's GPA is calculated on the basis of coursework completed after the Fresh Start.

4. The student's graduation requirements are those in effect at the time of the Fresh Start.

5. The first semester at the University after the Fresh Start, the student is limited to 16 or fewer credits and must maintain contact with a skills counselor in the Center for Student Success (CSS).

Application Deadlines:

Fall semester, priority deadline of June 1

Spring semester, priority deadline of November 1