Admissions

Westmont selects candidates for admission from those prospective students who produce evidence that they are prepared for the academic stimulation and spiritual vitality that are central to the character of Westmont. For example, students should place a high priority on undergraduate education. Living and learning in a classic liberal arts environment should be valued. Applicants must have a clear understanding of the Christian mission of the college and an explicit desire to benefit from being in and contributing to this environment. In addition, applicants should possess the strong moral character, values, personal integrity and social concern that would be in accord with the Westmont community.

Each year, there are more qualified applicants than we can enroll at Westmont, given our enrollment cap of 1,200. Thus, the admissions process is inherently selective. Recognizing the importance of peers in shaping a learning environment, Westmont gives attention in the admissions process not only to individual applicants, but also to the emerging character of each class as a whole.

In the admissions process, the following elements will be taken into consideration when reviewing each applicant:

  1. The strength of the high school academic record as reflected in the grade point average.
  2. Academic aptitude as reflected in SAT/ACT scores.
  3. The strength of one's academic program, (Honors, AP, or IB) and rank in class.
  4. Core values such as, exemplary character, honesty, respect, compassion and service should be evident.
  5. A clear sense of goals for one's education as reflected in the essays.
  6. Special skills in the creative and performing arts, athletics, science, journalism or other academic areas.
  7. Diversity in one's background and interests.

Final decisions for admission are based on an evaluation of the entire application. It is crucial, therefore, that an admission file be an accurate and complete reflection of a candidate. Students with any suspension history regarding academics or citizenship, must present proof of clearance before an application for admission will be considered.

Interviews and Campus Visits. A visit to the campus, which should include an interview with an admissions counselor, class visitations, chapel, meetings with professors and coaches and spending a night in a residence hall, is an excellent way to enhance your knowledge about Westmont. Additionally, it will aid you in making the proper college choice. Appointments for campus visits can be arranged through the Office of Admissions. A one week notice is appreciated.

How to Apply. FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS: If you are a high school senior and Westmont is one of your top choices, you may apply for EARLY ACTION (a non-restrictive process). Applicants with strong records and accomplishments may find this an attractive choice. EARLY ACTION applicants are indicating to the Admission Committee that Westmont is perhaps their first choice college. This may allow you to resolve your college choice early in your senior year and avoid the necessity of filing multiple applications. First-year students interested in competing for the Monroe Scholarship Program (Full Tuition) must apply for Early Action. Candidates not accepted for EARLY ACTION may be notified that they will be reconsidered for admission under REGULAR DECISION. This will allow time for additional materials to be submitted that might strengthen their overall file (i.e. fall term grades and additional SAT I/ACT results).

Westmont desires to enroll a well-rounded and balanced first year class. Every year brings a new and exciting group of applicants. Due to the College’s limited enrollment requirement, there are always more capable applicants than we are able to admit. A goal of Westmont is to create a dynamic, culturally and traditionally diverse community of learners who bring with them a variety of attributes, accomplishments, backgrounds and interests.

First year applicants are required to have a minimum of sixteen (16) academic units of credit to include:

English 4 years
Science 3 years (two years of laboratory science)
Mathematics 3 years (including at least second-year algebra)* (Algebra I taken in the 8th grade is acceptable)
Foreign language 2 years of one language (3 years recommended)
Social Science 2 years (history, government, sociology, political science, economics, psychology, civilization, geography)
*Applicants who do not have three years of high school math, including Algebra II, or who have not satisfied the requirement by means of their Math SAT I score of 550 or ACT Math score of 22, must successfully complete (minimum grade of C-) a Westmont-approved math course (College Algebra or above) at a community college or other institution of higher education. The units from this course will be transferable to Westmont but not the grade points. Students will be informed that until this requirement is met, they will not be allowed to enroll in any Mathematics classes at Westmont.

Additionally, applicants should have strong academic electives. Exceptional applicants not meeting one of these standards may be granted conditional admittance with the understanding that the deficient course(s) will be made up at a community college or similar institution.

All students are required to take three writing-intensive or speech-intensive courses at Westmont. One of these courses must meet the Writing for the Liberal Arts general education requirement. Many students will fulfill this portion of the requirement by taking ENG 002, Composition for the Liberal Arts. To satisfy the above requirement for Fall 2005-Spring 2006 students may also submit an SAT I Writing Subject Test of 550, an ACT English subscore of 29, Advanced Placement (AP) Composition and Language Exam scores of 4 or 5, or a TSWE score of 50.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As of Fall 2006, the SAT II Writing Subject Test will be replaced by the new SAT I Writing component which includes a student-written essay and multiple choice questions. Students who take only the ACT will be required to take and submit the new ACT Writing Component. Scores to satisfy the Writing for the Liberal Arts general education requirement will be announced in mid-2006.

Preferably, any deficiencies will be made up during the summer before a student first enrolls at Westmont. Conditionally admitted students must have satisfied all outstanding admission requirements in order to continue beyond the second year of classes at Westmont. Moreover, some Westmont College courses may require that deficits in one or more of the areas be satisfied before a student is allowed to enroll in that course.

The Office of Admission recalculates the grade point average of each applicant and considers the overall average, the average in academic courses and the average that includes honors or advanced placement courses.

How to Apply. TRANSFER STUDENTS: Westmont welcomes transfer students and allows them to begin their Westmont experience for either the fall or spring semesters. Students may begin the transfer process with fewer than 24 academic transferable units. However, if the transfer applicant has fewer than 24 academic transferable units, official high school transcripts and results of either the SAT I or ACT will be required.

Applicants transferring from an accredited college or university will be given credit for transferable courses for which they received a grade of C- or better. Courses with "P" grades will be accepted for elective credit only and only if the transcript indicates that a "P" grade is equivalent to a "C-" grade or higher. Courses with "P" grades will not be applied to general education or major/minor degree requirements. Exception: physical education/activity courses with a "P" grade will be applied to Westmont's Physical Education Activity (PEA) general education requirement providing the "P" grade is equivalent to a "C-" grade or higher. The coursework must be submitted on an official transcript. Receiving credit for a course does not necessarily mean that an academic department will apply that course to the fulfillment of a major requirement or the Student Records Office will apply the course to the fullfillment of a G.E. requirement.

Following admission, the Westmont Student Records Office will make a thorough evaluation of completed coursework as it applies to the general education requirements and the overall graduation requirements. Evaluations will be completed only after receipt of an official transcript. The Student Records Office will mail the evaluation to the applicant.

Westmont may restrict credit from a non-accredited institution and may, at the discretion of the registrar, require validation through enrolling in a related course at Westmont and receiving a minimum grade of C, or through an examination. Students must validate courses during their first year of residence at Westmont.

Although it is not a final authority regarding transfer credit, evaluators use The Report of Credit Given By Educational Institutions. The College does not award credit for courses taken more than 25 years ago.

Steps Required for All First-Year and Transfer Applicants

  1. Complete, the online Application for Admission at http://www.westmont.edu/_prospective_students/index.html. (A paper application will be sent upon request only.)
  2. Submit the application fee via credit card, personal check or money order. Application fees for Fall 2006-Spring 2007 can be found at http://www.westmont.edu/_prospective_students/index.html
  3. Request that official transcripts for first-year applicants in all courses from ninth grade to the present, and all official college transcripts for transfers, be sent to the Office of Admission. Admission decisions will only be made with an official transcript. Admission decisions may be rescinded in the summer or registration for classes may not be allowed if there is no official final high school transcript on file. If any high school or college work is in progress at the time of application, be sure an additional, final transcript is sent when the work is complete.
  4. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation.
    1. The letter must be from a teacher or professor in core courses. The letter may also come from an advisor or counselor.
    2. Pastor, youth leader or character recommendations are optional and will not be used as a substitute for academic recommendations.
  5. Request that the results of either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) or the American College Test (ACT) be sent to the Office of Admission. Transfer applicants who have completed 24 or more units of transferable, semester college credit are not required to submit test scores.

Application Deadline and Notification Dates

FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Early Action (Fall Only)

Regular Decision

Spring Semester

TRANSFERS

Early Action

Regular Decision

Spring Semester

Note: All dates are postmark dates. Applications for Regular Decision may be submitted after the deadline dates. However, Westmont cannot guarantee that they will be given the same consideration as those submitted on time. The Office of Admission continues to process applications on a space available basis only.

Mail all application materials to:

Confirmation of Admission. Westmont adheres to the Candidates National Reply Date of May 1. Therefore, for Fall 2005 students must send a non-refundable deposit of $300.00 and a Westmont Housing Application by May 1. (Note: Commencing with the Fall 2006 class, the confirmation deposit will be increased to $500.00.) International students who require an I-20 form to obtain a student visa must send a $9000 deposit ($6800 of which is refundable if the student cancels). Due to Westmont's limited enrollment (see CUP on page 243), deposits postmarked after May 1 could be returned because of space limitations. Deposits may be accepted after the May 1 postmark only if space is available. Deposits are not additional fees, but are credited to the student's account. After confirming, students will also receive a health questionnaire which does not require a doctor's appointment. College health insurance regulations make it necessary for every student to complete and return the health questionnaire.

Additional Admission Opportunities

Home-Schooled Students. Westmont encourages applications from the home-schooled student. Home-schooled students are recognized for the individual and unique talents and qualities they bring to the Westmont community. Home-schooled applicants are evaluated on their individual merit and specialized programs. Westmont does request a Certificate of Completion of the home-study program and proof of whether or not the program is recognized by the state where the student resides. Because the curriculum of home-schooled students varies depending on the particular program, the Office of Admissions may place greater emphasis on either the SAT I or ACT. (Westmont welcomes either standardized test.) If the home-schooled student has enrolled concurrently in a college or university for additional classes prior to the completion of their home-study program, Westmont must have official transcript from the institution(s) in order to apply appropriate credit. Home-schooled students will qualify for the same merit-based scholarships as do traditional high school graduates.

If the home-schooled student is applying for Federal Financial Aid, the State Department of Education requires them to satisfy the Ability to Benefit requirement in order to qualify for Federal Financial Aid. Please visit our website for a complete list of tests that will satisfy this requirement. (www.westmont.edu/prospective/homeschooled)

Non High School Graduates. Applicants who have not officially graduated from high school or graduate early, may still be considered for admission. However, Westmont will require these applicants to submit the results of the General Education Development (G.E.D.) Test or the High School Proficiency Examination for the state in which the student resides. Greater emphasis may be given to the SAT I or ACT in these specific circumstances.

Consortium Visitor Program Application Process. Students enrolled at a Consortium institution, who want to take advantage of The Consortium Visitor Program, apply using a special application process (see page 11 for a list of participating schools). To be considered, begin by contacting your current institution’s Registrar's Office to obtain the consortium application. Your proposed coursework for the required semester needs to be approved by your Registrar. Following this approval, submit the Consortium Visitor application to the Westmont Admissions Office, along with transcripts of all completed college work. In the event you have not completed 24 semester units in college, an official high school transcript will be necessary. The consortium application and all supporting documents must be received in the Admissions Office (postmarked) for fall admission, by March 15 and for spring admission, by November 1. Should the application be submitted after these deadlines, the applicant will be considered on a space available basis only. Should an offer of admission be made and the applicant confirms after the deadline stated in the acceptance letter, the confirmation will be accepted on a space available basis only.

Reapplicants. Reapplicants are students who previously attended Westmont and have withdrawn or exited from Westmont for a semester or more and now desire to return. All reapplicants must submit an Application for Readmission to the Office of Admission. The Application for Readmission may be obtained in the Office of Admission, Office of Student Records or the Office of Student Life. The Application for Readmission and all supporting documents must be received in the Office of Admission (postmarked) for fall admission, by February 15 and for spring admission, by November 1. Should the reapplication be submitted after these deadlines, the reapplicant will be considered on a space available basis only. Should an offer of admission be made and the reapplicant confirms after the deadline stated in the acceptance letter, the reapplicant's confirmation will be accepted on a space available basis only. Students must submit the application and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended during the absence from Westmont. If reapplicants have attended other colleges since leaving Westmont, they must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. Students will be considered for readmission only if the following criteria have been satisfied; all educational loans and student accounts are current; the student left Westmont in good academic and student life standing. The Office of Admission requests clearances from the Business Office, Office of Student Life and the Office of Student Records.

If a reapplicant initially left Westmont for medical reasons, they must include a statement from a doctor indicating that any health issues have been resolved sufficiently to allow a return to school.

Note: Reapplicants lose their registration priority. Registration for reapplicants will be processed after the processing of continuing students has been completed.

Applicants from Foreign Countries. Applications for students from foreign countries are available from the Office of Admissions. Westmont evaluates applicants on their academic background as shown on transcripts and through the results of the SAT I or ACT and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (if the native language is other than English) with a minimum score of 560 or 220 on the computer based TOEFL. In addition to the application form, the College requires a report on proficiency in English, a personal reference, school recommendation, school transcripts, health information and certification of good health, and a confidential financial statement. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide Westmont with certified English translations of all transcripts. In addition, the applicant will be asked to have the transcripts evaluated by a professional foreign academic credentials service at the applicant's expense.

Non-Matriculants. Non-matriculants are persons qualified for admission to Westmont who do not intend to work toward a degree. To be admitted as a non-matriculant, an applicant must file an application for non-matriculated status in the Student Records Office. Westmont grants admission as a non-matriculant only as its enrollment limitation and facilities permit.

The College expects students who are granted admission to respect and live within Westmont's Christian Life Expectations and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average in order to continue enrollment. Special students who later wish to apply credits toward a Westmont degree must apply for regular admission. If they are granted admission, they must get approval from the Academic Senate to apply previous credit to the degree program. They should file the petition for approval with the registrar.

Education Program. College graduates holding a bachelor's degree and wishing to earn a standard elementary or secondary teaching credential are welcome to apply to the Education Program. Limited enrollment is available. Students must have a grade point average of 2.75 and schedule an interview with a member of the faculty in the Education Department.

College Credit Programs

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate. Westmont grants advanced placement and/or credit to students who present scores of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board and for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on Higher-Level subject examinations of the International Baccalaureate Program. The College limits credit to a maximum of 32 advanced placement/IB units. Up to three Westmont-approved advanced placement exams may be applied to the general education curriculum requirements and any remaining AP units may be applied as electives. Students may petition to apply AP credit in additional Common Inquiries areas upon completing an advanced course in the area at Westmont.

College Level Examination Program. Westmont will give CLEP credit for scores of 500 or above for general tests and 50 or above for subject matter tests, provided students have not completed introductory college courses in those areas. Essays are required when they are available (that is, offered with the examination). CLEP credit may be applied to elective credit only.

Students may transfer college credit they earned while they were in high school to Westmont. They must ask the college they attended to send an official transcript to Westmont so the course work may be evaluated.