Undergraduate | Admission


Scope:  Who is Covered by this Policy?

All undergraduates and prospective undergraduate students.

Policy

Application for Admission

Application for admission must be filed in the Office of Admission on the campus the student plans to attend. It must be accompanied by an application fee. A registration fee and room deposit, if applicable, is requested when the applicant is accepted for admission. A student applying for admission to Miami University who graduated from high school five or more years prior to application and who has never taken the ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is not required to take such an examination for admission purposes.

Information and application forms for prospective international undergraduate students are available online (Information Form, Application Form). Mail applications to: Office of Admission, 301 South Campus Avenue, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056-3434, U.S.A. Phone: (513) 529-2288. Fax: (513) 529-0682. Email:goglobal@MiamiOH.edu.

First Years

To be considered for admission, students must ordinarily have earned a high school diploma from a secondary program accredited by their respective state departments of education or the General Education Diploma (GED) of High School Equivalency and be at least 16 years of age.

Students who complete their secondary education through an alternative program (graduates of non-state-chartered or non-accredited secondary programs or home-schooled students), and have not earned the GED may be considered for admission by presenting credentials that demonstrate levels of academic achievement, ability, and performance equivalent to that of graduates of state accredited high schools.

Candidates for admission to all campuses must present documentation of their academic achievement and performance. Official transcripts of all coursework taken in high school and/or a Certificate of a General Education Diploma (GED) of High School Equivalency must be submitted.

Students who have not graduated from a state-chartered or accredited high school or do not have a GED must also submit a description of the curriculum and educational resources used over the last four years. If sufficient information necessary to assess the academic achievement and ability of the applicant is not provided, applicants may be requested to submit samples of work in such areas as English, mathematics, natural science, social studies, foreign language, and fine arts demonstrating their achievement and ability.

All students who have completed their secondary education less than five years prior to their intended enrollment must take the ACT or SAT. The test must be taken on a national testing date at an authorized testing center (students with disabilities may submit test scores utilizing special testing procedures if they present documentation of the need for accommodation). Applicants to the regional campuses who have graduated from state-accredited high schools or have a GED may be admitted without submitting ACT or SAT scores, but must take one of these and have the scores sent to the appropriate campus in the semester in which they will complete 12 or more credit hours.

Open Admission

The regional campuses have an open admission policy for first-time college students.  Open admission is granted to individuals who have earned a high school diploma from a secondary program accredited by state departments of education or are recipients of the General Education Diploma (GED) of High School Equivalency. Alternatively educated students who have not earned the GED can demonstrate equivalent levels of academic achievement by submitting a description of the curriculum and educational resources used over the last four years and information necessary to assess the academic achievement and ability of the applicant. Admission is for fall or spring semester; however, students have the option of early enrollment to the preceding summer or winter term.

Selective Admission

Miami’s Oxford campus typically receives more applications for admission than it can accommodate. Therefore, admission to the Oxford campus is selective. The review process is individualized and holistic. Admission is based on academic performance (strength of curriculum, class rank, and grade point average), test scores (ACT and/or SAT), secondary school experience and community activities, personal essay, and recommendations of the high school. In making admission decisions, Miami also considers the diversity of the student body and applicants’ special abilities, talents, and achievements. Miami believes that the diversity of the student body enhances the quality of the education students receive. Therefore, diversity may include socioeconomic factors, under-enrolled minority group membership, career interest, artistic ability, geographical background, and other special characteristics of the population. Admission is for fall or spring semester; however, students have the option of early enrollment to the preceding summer or winter term.

Scholastic Enhancement Program

Persons admitted to Miami’s Oxford campus who show academic promise, but whose academic profiles, as evaluated by the Office of Admission and the Director, Rinella Learning Center, suggest potential difficulty in completing a Miami degree will be required to work with the Scholastic Enhancement Program (SEP) and follow individually developed educational plans provided by that program, which may include: additional assessment of academic skills; early advising and supervised course selection; academic and personal counseling; and selected other scholastic enhancement activities. Mandatory participation will be required of all participants for at least two years, or until participants achieve program release standards. Persons admitted under this educational plan will be refused course registration for subsequent semesters if they do not fulfill the requirements of the Scholastic Enhancement Program.

Conditional Admission

A student who is competitive for admission, but does not meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement, may be offered conditional admission. Conditional admission is only granted through approved English intensive-language programs, including the Miami University American Culture and English (ACE) Program and the Miami University Middletown English Language Center (ELC). For a student’s status to be changed from conditional admission to regular enrollment, the student must complete and fulfill all criteria established by the approved program.

Curriculum Standards

Prospective students who intend to complete a baccalaureate degree are expected to have completed four units of college preparatory English, four units of college preparatory mathematics (including algebra II), three units of college preparatory natural science (including both a physical and a biological science), three units of college preparatory social studies (including one unit of history), two units of foreign language (both in the same language), and one unit of fine arts (including art, drama, or music, either appreciation or performance). Students not meeting these specific curriculum standards will not be denied admission to Miami if they are otherwise qualified. Instead, they will be required to complete additional courses after they enroll. These courses will count toward graduation, and many of them can fulfill other requirements. They are regular college courses, not remedial courses. Students do not need to fulfill these requirements to complete an associate degree.

Students graduating from high school prior to 1986 must have completed 17 units of study, at least ten of which must include any combination of English, speech, mathematics, science, history, social studies, and foreign language.

International Student Admission

Basic requirements for admission of international students to undergraduate study include:

  1. Completion of formal secondary education in a pre-university curriculum that culminates in the award of a secondary school diploma or certificate which is generally recognized as the educational qualification necessary to gain admission to higher studies in the student’s own country.
  2. Adequate financial support.
  3. English language ability.
  4. ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) test scores are required for admission of international students who are attending U.S. high schools or secondary schools in countries that follow a U.S. high school curriculum and those who intend to participate in the intercollegiate athletic program and need to comply with NCAA eligibility requirements.

English Proficiency

International applicants (non-immigrants with F-1 or J-1 or other visa status) whose native language is not English are required to submit evidence of English proficiency prior to their admission. In most cases, applicants will need to present satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Information concerning these examinations and location of test centers can be obtained at TOEFL or IELTS. See also, the section of this policy titled “Conditional Admission.”

Undergraduate international students, like all Miami undergraduates, must satisfy the freshman English requirement. If accepted, the student may be required to take a Department of English placement examination before registering for classes. Students will be placed in the appropriate English courses based on test scores or other English proof of proficiency received at the time of admission. Consult the Miami Bulletin-General Edition.

American Culture Exchange (ACE) Program

A student who is admitted through the American Culture and English (ACE) Program is conditionally admitted to Miami University. For a student’s status to be changed from conditional admission to regular enrollment, the student must complete the ACE core curriculum with a B- or higher in each of the required English language classes (ACE 112 and ACE 113) and with a passing grade (D- or higher) in an approved American Culture course. If a student does not achieve a grade of B- or higher in both ACE 112 and ACE 113 or fails the approved American Culture course in his/her first semester or term, the student’s enrollment status will remain conditional, and the student will be required to retake the pertinent course(s) during his/her second semester or term, excluding summer or winter term. If the student does not earn a grade of B- or higher in ACE 112 and ACE 113 and does not pass an approved American Culture course at the conclusion of his/her second semester or term, that student has not met the requirements of conditional admission and will not be allowed further enrollment at any Miami University campus.

Transfer Students

Eligibility

Students who have attended another college in which they have been registered for one or more courses must apply for admission as transfer students and notify Miami of the colleges or universities attended. Each student must submit a transcript and evidence of honorable separation from each institution in which the student has been registered, regardless of whether or not credit has been granted and whether or not the student desires to receive transfer credit. Submitted transcripts will not be returned to the student, nor sent elsewhere at the student’s request. Posted transfer work will not be removed. However, students whose only college credits have been earned while attending high school are not considered transfer students, but such credit is subject to all regulations on transfer credit (see below concerning advanced placement credit). Each student must submit a transcript and evidence of honorable separation from each college in which he or she has been registered, whether or not credit has been granted and whether or not the student desires to receive transfer credit upon admission (submitted documents will not be returned to the student, nor sent elsewhere at his or her request). Upon receipt of evidence of an acceptable conduct record from the institutions attended, Miami University will determine the student’s admission status by grade point average (on a 4.00 basis) on all non-remedial previous college work attempted as follows:

  1. Miami Oxford:
    1. If the average is 2.00 or higher, the student is eligible for admission consideration.
    2. If the average is below 2.00 the student is not eligible for admission consideration unless he or she has not been a student at any college or university for the two calendar years preceding the term for which application is made. The decision will be made on the basis of the college transcript and supportive information requested by the Office of Admission.
  2. Miami Regionals:
    1. If the average is 2.00 or higher, the student is eligible for admission consideration.
    2. If the average is below 2.00 and the student has not been a full-time student at any college or university for the two calendar years preceding the term for which application is made, the decision will be made on the basis of college transcript and supportive information requested by the Regional Office of Admission.
    3. If the average is below a 2.00, the student may be considered for admission under “Academic Warning” on the basis of the college transcripts and additional information requested by the Regional Office of Admission.

 

Acceptance of qualified transfer students will depend on the availability of facilities. Transfer credit for new transfer students will be posted to fall or spring semester academic records. Admission is for fall or spring semester; however, students have the option of early enrollment to the preceding summer or winter term. (See also, transcript submission)

Non Degree Students

A non-degree student is one who is not seeking a degree at Miami University. While attending Miami non-degree students are subject to all rules, regulations, and fees governing degree-seeking students. The admission of qualified non-degree students will depend on the availability of facilities in any given semester or term.

Unclassified Students

Students who have baccalaureate degrees from other colleges or universities and do not want to get an additional undergraduate degree from Miami may apply as unclassified students.

Visiting (Transient Students)

A student who attends another college or university, has been in attendance at the school during the past 12 months, is in good standing, and receives permission from that institution to attend Miami University.

Post-secondary Enrollment Students

Miami University participates in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP) established under Ohio Senate Bill 140. This program provides opportunity for outstanding high school students to earn college credit (Option A) or college and high school credit (Option B). Course scheduling is subject to availability. This program is available for fall and spring semesters. Students should first consult with their high school guidance counselors. Questions regarding admission to Miami and eligibility should be directed to the appropriate Office of Admission (Hamilton, Middletown, or Oxford). Post Secondary Enrollment Information

Senior Citizens

Ohio law provides an opportunity for persons sixty years of age or older who have resided in Ohio for at least one year to attend classes without paying tuition or admission fees, provided the attendance is for audit basis, is in courses where classroom space is available, and is approved by the instructor. Fees such as lab fees and books are a responsibility of the senior citizen.


Related Form(s)


Additional Resources and Procedures

Websites


FAQ

Not Applicable.


Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officer

Senior Associate Registrar

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

Yes

Revision History

Amended July 2018; Edited July 2019

Reference ID

Student Handbook 1.1

Reviewing Bodies

  • University Senate
  • Administrative