ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY

ADMISSION

No person will be denied admission to the university or to any of its programs or activities (either academic or non-academic, curricular or extracurricular) because of gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental status, or relationship to employees of this university.

VISITING THE CAMPUS

If you wish to visit the university, please contact the Admissions Office, 115 Main Hall, (608)785-8067. Tours of the campus are conducted Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. when school is in session. Summer session tours are at 11 a.m. only. All scheduled tours originate in the Admissions Office. Appointments made in advance are recommended for tours. Overnight accommodations for students only may be available upon request by contacting the Residence Life Office, (608)785-8075. Six special visitation days, called Campus Close-Up, are held during the academic year. Programs begin at 9:30 a.m. and end after a 2:15 p.m. campus tour. Call the Admissions Office at (608)785-8067 for information. Admissions counselors and other university representatives visit high schools in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois each year. The university is also represented at Wisconsin Education Fairs, Minnesota Post High School Planning Programs, national fairs and college night programs. To request a University of Wisconsin system application and/or UW-La Crosse information, you may write to the Admis-sions Office, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601, or call (608)785-8067, or e-mail admissions@mail.uwlax.edu. You may also access UW-La Crosse information on the World Wide Web at http://www.uwlax.edu

NEW FRESHMEN ADMISSIONS

Students who plan to apply for admission should contact the Admissions Office or a high school guidance office to obtain a UW System application. The University of Wisconsin system is developing an electronic application for admission on the World Wide Web as an alternative to the paper application. Implementation of the electronic application is scheduled for fall 1997. Since enrollment is limited, it is advisable to apply for admission as early as possible. This requires submitting the following items to the Admissions Office, 115 Main Hall:

1. a completed UW System application.
2. an official high school transcript.
3. a non-refundable application fee.
4. official American College Test (ACT) scores sent directly from ACT (may be waived for non-traditional students.)

New Freshmen Admission Requirements

Priority Category	Qualifications	Admission Status
I	High School class rank of 65th percentile or more and ACT composite score of 21 or greater.
	OR ACT composite score of 23 and class rank of 50th percentile or more.	Admission likely.
II	Do not meet Priority I requirements available but have a (a class rank of 50th percentile and (b ACT composite score of at least 19	Admission on a space available basis.*
III	Do not meet Priority I or II but class rank is at 40th percentile or more.	Admission on a space available basis*. Admission unlikely.
* When applicants in Priority II and III are considered for admission, prioritization within categories will be done by class rank, ACT score, and strength of senior year classes.

Applicants for admission as freshmen who have not previously earned college credit must satisfy the following minimum requirements to be considered.

1. Graduation from a recognized high school or the equivalent.
   1. A recognized high school is
      1. one operated by a public school district; or
      2. a private school accredited by an association that is certified by the U.S. Department of Education and is listed in the Federal Register as an approved accreditation association (accreditation by other associations approved by the University of Wisconsin System is also acceptable), or
      3. a private school not accredited under 2 above that may be "recognized" by an institution in the UW System based upon performance of previously admitted graduates from that school.
   2. Applicants who have not graduated from high school and who lack the necessary class rank or required pattern of high school academic units may be considered for admission on probation if
      1. they hold a High School Equivalency Diploma and score at least a 250 on the General Education Development (GED) test. High school equivalency applicants may not normally be enrolled unless they are a minimum of four years past their expected date of high school graduation.
      2. on the basis of individual background and experience, there appears to be a reasonable probability of success in the university. (High school transcript required.)
2. Completion of the following 17 high school credits is minimal preparation and is required for admission:
   1. 4 credits of English.
   2. 2 credits of algebra and 1 credit of geometry.
   3. 3 credits of natural science with 2 credits from biology, chemistry, physics, earth science or advanced courses in these disciplines. Unified and Integrated Science I and II courses will be counted on a one-for-one basis.)
   4. 3 credits of social science (i.e., anthropology, economics, history [U.S. or world], political science [civics/government], psychology or sociology.)
   5. 5 academic credits from the above and/or in the arts, computer science, or other academic areas.
   Students admitted on the basis of a high school equivalency diploma are considered to have fulfilled these minimum subject matter requirements.
3. The American College Test (ACT) is required and scores must be submitted from ACT prior to an official admission decision. The ACT may be waived for non-traditional students.
4. Submission of Wisconsin Regional Placement test scores in mathematics and English.
5. Due to enrollment limitations, admissions shall be prioritized based on high school rank and ACT composite scores. Even applicants who meet all published requirements are not guaranteed admission. Candidates for admission must satisfy requirements I and II along with high school class rank and ACT composite score requirements for admission in good standing.
   1. Admission requirements III and V may be waived for non-traditional students.
   2. Due to institutional and System priority objectives and the need to provide the social and cultural diversity essential to a comprehensive university, exceptions to the above policies may be made to provide admission opportunities for special populations including, but not limited to: minority/disadvantaged students, international students, non-traditional students, and those with special talent.

Concurrent High School/UW-L Enrollment and Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

Concurrent High School/UW-L Enrollment and Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offers enrollment for high school students who wish to pursue university course work while completing their studies in high school. Applicants must have completed at least the ninth grade and preferably the eleventh grade before entering the university. Special admission is granted only to those highly qualified applicants who demonstrate that they can benefit from entrance into college and who have exhausted all high school coursework in the educational disciplines for which they plan to enroll. The Post Secondary Enrollment Options (Wisconsin Statutes 118.37) program stipulates that qualified Wisconsin juniors and seniors in high school may attend post secondary institutions and the school districts might be responsible for tuition and fees for the course if they have taken all of the high school courses offered in the same discipline. Registration for courses as a high school student is subject to course, program, and institutional enrollment limits.

Admission Requirements:

1. High school seniors must rank in the upper 25 percent of their high school class or score in the upper 10 percent on the ACT. High school sophomores and juniors must rank in the upper 10 percent of their high school class and score in the upper 10 percent on the ACT. (PSEO does not include sophomores.)
2. Completion of appropriate preparatory high school course work for college courses.
3. A personal interview is required for sophomore and junior candidates.

Application Procedures:

1. Submit a UW System application. Students apply as a "special non-degree" student. The application fee is not required.
2. Submit a completed "Concurrent High School/UW-La Crosse Enrollment and Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)" information sheet.
3. Submit an official high school transcript.
4. The application, information sheet, and high school transcript should be mailed to the Admissions Office, 115 Main Hall, UW-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Credit by Examination and the Advanced Placement Program

Students may earn university credit through a variety of options. For specific information, newly admitted students should contact the Director of Admissions and continuing students should contact the Dean of the college or school in which they are enrolled. The five options are:

1. Advanced Placement Program-- Students who have participated in the College Board Advanced Placement Program (APP) in high school and have received grades of 3, 4, or 5 will receive academic credit. Transcripts of your APP work must be submitted to the Admissions Office for evaluation to determine how academic credit will be awarded.
2. College Level Entrance Program--The College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) is a national program administered through the College Board. UW-La Crosse follows the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines and recommendations for minimum scores for awarding credit in all subject examinations.
3. Departmental Credit by Exam--Each department will have on file an examination for each course the department determines to be introductory. Each department will also have procedures in place for granting credit for all other lower division courses that they offer.
4. Retroactive Credit--Two departments, foreign languages and mathematics, offer retroactive credit for previous course work.
5. International Baccalaureate--Credit will be granted for "Higher Level" examination with a score of 4 or greater.

ACT Examination

Candidates for admission as new freshmen must take the American College Test (ACT). The ACT may be waived for non-traditional students. ACT scores must be sent to the Admissions Office directly from ACT. No official admission decision will be made until ACT scores are received. High school students are recommended to take the exam in the spring of their junior year or early in their senior year. Complete information concerning the ACT, including test dates and locations, fee payment and application forms, may be obtained from any high school guidance office or by writing the university Counseling and Testing Center.

MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH PLACEMENT

Mathematics and English Placement Placement into English and mathematics courses is accomplished by using scores earned on the Wisconsin Regional Place-ment Exams and the American College Test (ACT). Course registration in either discipline is limited to those students who have demonstrated their competency through the examinations. ENG 050 and MTH 050 are three credit courses designed for students whose test scores indicate a low probability for success in college-level courses. Any student may enroll in ENG 050 or MTH 050 but if you need ENG 050 and/or MTH 050, you must complete the requirement(s) prior to earning 30 degree credits.

TRANSFER STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Although most students enter the university directly from high school, many transfer from other two-year and four-year institutions.

Application Procedures/Requirements

Students who wish to transfer to this university should write to the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office to obtain admission materials. The university will begin accepting transfer applications on January 1 for the fall semester and will continue until closed. The university will begin accepting transfer applications on September 1 for the spring semester and will continue until closed. On or shortly after the above priority dates, students should attempt to have their admissions records complete. This requires submitting the following items to the Admissions Office, 115 Main Hall:

1. A completed UW System application
2. An official high school transcript if student has earned less than 12 transferable semester credits or 18 transferable quarter credits.
3. All official college transcripts. (Transcripts must be mailed directly from the institution(s) attended to the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office.)
4. A list of courses in progress if currently enrolled with course numbers, titles and the number of credits for each course.
5. A non-refundable application fee is required for anyone applying as a transfer student from an institution outside of the UW System.

Admission Eligibility

Due to enrollment limitations, transfer admissions shall be prioritized based on cumulative grade point average(s). In addition to grade point requirements, students must be in good standing at their previous institution to be admitted to UW-La Crosse. One exception to the above policy is students from a UW Center System school who have earned, or will have earned, an associate degree prior to entering the university will be admitted with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above. Admission to UW-La Crosse does not assure admission to specific degree programs. All transfer students must meet the same criteria (i.e., grade point average, course requirements, etc.) for admission to specific majors or programs as continuing students at UW-La Crosse. Students who were not admissible as new freshmen must present at least 12 semester credits or 18 quarter credits and earn at least a 2.75 grade point average to be considered for admission as a transfer student.

Admission Notification

On receipt of a student's application, application fee (if required), official transcripts, and if applicable, a list of courses in progress, the Admissions Office will (within four weeks) forward an official admission letter, a credit evaluation indicating all of the courses and credits that have been granted in transfer, and on-campus housing information. Students will also receive a Student Notice of Academic Progress (SNAP) report which is an individualized, automated degree audit. This report is each studentŐs academic advising map and is specific to each individual's catalog term, General Education, college core, major/ minor, and graduation requirements. The number of credits granted in transfer by this university will be used to determine classification as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. (For this classification, please refer to p. 46.)

Academic Advising

After being admitted to UW-L, all transfer students will be given the opportunity to register by touch-tone telephone. The registration instructions and class timetable will be forwarded in April for those students admitted to the summer session and fall semester, and in November for those students admitted to the spring semester. In preparing to register by telephone, many transfer students find that the SNAP report is sufficient. Others would like some assistance with their SNAP report by meeting personally with an academic adviser. You are welcome to call and make an appointment with an adviser from the college or school to which you have been assigned. Assignments are noted on your admission letter. In the process of academic advising, should you disagree with how a course(s) transfers or how a course(s) applies toward your program of study, a formal appeals process is available. Consult with the assistant to the dean from the college or school in which you enroll.

Two-Year/Four-Year Transfer Policy

All General Education requirements will be satisfied by students who have completed associate degrees in college parallel programs in accredited four-year institutions, two-year collegiate transfer programs from two-year institutions, community colleges or junior colleges. Students accepted under the transfer policy are still required to meet all core, professional, diversity, major and minor requirements.

TRANSFER CREDIT POLICIES

Credits considered for transfer to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse must have been earned at regionally accredited institutions e.g., North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Transfer credit is allowed for appropriate college-level courses completed at four-year colleges and universities as well as from two-year colleges and vocational/technical schools with accredited college parallel programs. Credits in vocational/technical programs other than college parallel programs will not transfer to this university. (See WTCS transfer policy.)

Transfer credit is accepted for appropriate college-level courses completed through extension or correspondence study in accredited colleges and universities. Military service school credit may be granted in transfer based upon recommendations of the American Council on Education.

Credits may also be transferred from examination programs such as the Advanced Placement Program (APP), the College Level Entrance Program (CLEP), or the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

The maximum number of credits transferable from a two-year institution is 72. When credits are transferred and accepted, they are recorded in terms of UW-La Crosse courses. The student's record shows courses, grades, and credits, however, only credits are used. Grades and/or grade points are not generally transferred. Exceptions to this policy are necessary for admission into certain programs/majors. The cumulative grade point average of each UW-La Crosse student is determined only by credits and grades earned in residence at the university.

If you are currently enrolled at UW-La Crosse, and have a need to take course work elsewhere either in a summer session or during an academic year, you must secure approval in advance of enrollment at other institutions for course work to be taken for transfer to this university. See your academic adviser in the dean's office of the school/college in which you are enrolled and fill out an "Off-Campus Permit" form which is used to secure approval to transfer credits from other institutions.

Transfer of "D" Credits

A course in which a grade of "D" was earned and accepted by this university may be applied to General Education and/or core requirements but will be subject to re-evaluation at a later date if the student chooses to major or minor in the subject, area, or discipline in which "D" grades were earned.

Transcripts from Transfer Students

UW-L will not accept transcripts marked "Issued to Student" or hand carried and not mailed directly from the issuing institution(s) for evaluating and awarding credit.

Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Transfer Policy

The UW System undergraduate transfer policy permits UW-La Crosse to transfer up to 15 general education credits (communicative skills and social sciences only) from WTCS non-college parallel associate degree programs. In certain cases where the WTCS credit is not acceptable for transfer, students will have an opportunity to earn credit by examination if the academic department offers an appropriate exam. Program-to-Program agreements with Western Wisconsin Technical College allow students to transfer additional credits if they have earned an associate degree in the following areas: radiography, physical therapy assistant, medical laboratory tech-nician, accounting, business administration-- personnel, finance and general marketing. For details, contact the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office.

Joint Transfer Program

UW Center students who intend to pursue their education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will be guaranteed admission to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse providing they meet the following criteria:

1. Submit a completed UW System application to the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office during the first month of the semester prior to the semester of intended enrollment.
2. Be in good standing and have completed an associate degree at any UW Center with a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average.

The Joint Transfer Program Guarantees:

1. Admission in good standing
2. On-campus housing (contract must be submitted with deposit one semester prior to enrollment)
3. Registration for classes at the same time as continuing UW-L students.

All General Education requirements will be satisfied by students who have completed associate degrees. Students accepted under this two-year transfer policy are required to meet all core, professional, diversity, major and minor requirements.

Note: Admission to the institution does not assure admission to specific degree programs. UW Center students must meet the same criteria (i.e., grade point average, course requirements, etc.) for admission to specific majors or programs as continuing UW-La Crosse students.

Students who do not participate in the Joint Transfer Program must meet the university transfer requirements in effect at the time of application for admission.

For information regarding transfer programs and services at UW-La Crosse, please write to: Admissions, UW-La Crosse, 1725 State Street, La Crosse, WI 54601.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Admissions procedures have been designed to assist international students who wish to earn undergraduate or graduate degrees at UW-L. An international admissions specialist in the Office of International Education coordinates the admission process of any applicant who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

International applicants must submit the following items:

1. A completed application form and application fee.
2. Official academic records for secondary and post-secondary education.
3. A TOEFL score of 550 is required for university admission. Students with no TOEFL or with scores less than 550 may be granted "restricted" university admission. A placement exam upon arrival will determine if English language study is required. Students with "restricted" university admission status will work in conjunction with an adviser from the ESL Institute in the selection of courses during the period of "restricted" admission status. (See information about the English as a Second Language Institute on p. 141.)
4. A Certification of Financial Resources form verifying sufficient financial support for tuition and living expenses while in the U.S.

International applicants are not required to take the ACT, SAT, or GRE. However, applicants for the MBA program must submit GMAT results. Applicants granted acceptance to UW-La Crosse are then required to submit a tuition deposit and health examination form in order to receive final admission.

Interested students may request an application packet with information and complete instructions from the UW-La Crosse Office of International Education, 116 Main Hall, 1725 State St., La Crosse, WI 54601 USA or e-mail to uwlworld@mail.uwlax.edu

SPECIAL NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

Students desiring to audit or take selected courses for credit, but who do not expect to earn a degree at this university, may be enrolled as special non-degree students. Complete transcripts of high school and college records need not be submitted; however, in some circumstances to determine eligibility for admission, the Admis-sions Office may request that you submit academic records. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required. Students may be admitted to regular undergraduate status on a degreed basis at a later date provided they submit complete transcripts of previous work and meet admission requirements. After regular admission, course work as a special non-degree student will be evaluated; credit may be granted for courses completed during the initial period of special status, although there is no assurance that work as a special student will be credited toward degree completion. If regular undergraduate status is achieved by following this procedure, no student will be allowed to revert to a special non-degree status to avoid conforming to any prescribed course of study.

Students disqualified for entrance or continuance at another collegiate institution are not eligible to enroll as special non-degree students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Adult Special Students

Students who already have a college degree and desire to undertake further study to earn a second undergraduate major, to qualify for teaching certification, or to remove deficiencies, must complete the first two pages of the UW System application and submit one official transcript of all previous college work.

Second Degree Students

A student who holds one bachelor's degree may be admitted to the university to earn a second bachelor's degree. Each applicant must complete the first two pages of the UW System application and have one official transcript sent from each university attended. Details covering the requirements for a second bachelor's degree may be found in the degree requirements section. Students earning a second degree are also assessed the graduation fee.

REENTRY AND READMISSION

Reentry
If you voluntarily interrupted your university work while in good academic standing, you may be granted reentry status by submitting an application to the Records and Registration Office, if the reentry enrollment quota is not already filled. You should apply at least one month prior to the beginning of the term in which you plan to re-enroll. If you have been out of school voluntarily for a year or more, or involuntarily for any amount of time, you will be subject to the requirements of the catalog currently in effect. If you have been gone voluntarily for one semester, you remain under your "old" catalog. Students granted reentry status who were on scholastic probation or other conditional status, at the time of last attendance at UW-La Crosse, retain such status as a condition of reentry.

If you have attended another institution(s) after leaving UW-La Crosse, have official transcripts of your academic record(s) mailed directly from the issuing institutions(s) to the UW-L Records and Registration Office at the time that you apply for reentry. Transcripts that are marked "Issued to Student" or that are hand delivered by a student will not be accepted.

Eligibility for reentry is based upon previous work at this university; however, to re-enroll, you must be eligible to return to the institution last attended. Reentry transfers must meet the same GPA requirements for admission as other transfer students.

Readmission

If you desire readmission after having been declared ineligible to continue for scholastic or other reasons, you must apply to the dean of the UW-La Crosse school or college in which you were last enrolled. Students declared ineligible to continue must follow catalog requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Application for readmission should be completed at least one month prior to the beginning of the term in which enrollment is contemplated. The appropriate dean will apprise the university Records and Registration Office of the students eligible for readmission. During times of controlled or limited enrollment, preference will be given to students reentering in good standing.