LaGrange College welcomes applications from goal-centered students who embrace the challenge to learn and to serve others. The application and admission process at LaGrange College is selective and focuses on each applicant’s interests, goals, academic readiness for college-level work, and college expectations. We seek applicants who have the potential to be successful academically and who will contribute to our campus community in meaningful ways.
Admission Counselors are available to advise prospective students and families about the admission process and requirements, financial aid and scholarships, and arranging a campus visit. The Office of College Access and Admission will also provide admission and financial aid publications and other pertinent information, as well as the appropriate application packet upon request.
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to visit the campus and to interview with an Admission Counselor. Campus visits and interviews may be scheduled Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM during the academic year. To arrange an appointment, call the Office of College Access and Admission at 800-593-2885 or 706-880-8005, e-mail the office at admission@lagrange.edu, or visit the College’s website at http://www.lagrange.edu.
Admission to LaGrange College operates on a rolling basis for the Fall and Spring Semesters. Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible after completion of the junior year of high school. March 1st of the Senior year in high school is the preferred deadline for best consideration for admission, financial aid, and housing for the Fall semester. Students interested in scholarship consideration should apply before January 1st of the Senior year in high school or by the published deadline for the scholarship, whichever is earlier. Offers of admission for the subsequent Fall semester are generated beginning October 1st. LaGrange College does not have an early admission policy.
LaGrange College operates under a traditional selection process. Admission decisions are based on a variety of factors, including a strong secondary school preparation demonstrated by course selection and grades, college entrance examination scores, individual achievements and interests, and other indications of ability to benefit from the college experience.
First-year Admission: Prior to enrollment, an applicant is expected to complete graduation requirements from an approved high school. Students graduating from Georgia high schools are normally expected to complete the requirements for the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) diploma. LaGrange College students come from a variety of public and private secondary school backgrounds. Preference is given to applicants who have strong academic preparation in high school. An official transcript of a prospective student’s work should reflect a balanced academic program of at least fourteen units distributed as follows: English – 4 units, Mathematics – 4 units (including two units above Algebra I), Science – 3 units, Social Studies or History – 3 units.
A student should have a minimum of a 3.00 grade point average based on a 4.00 grading scale and rank in the top 50% of his or her graduating class. A student’s grade point average will be recalculated by the Office of College Access and Admission and will be based solely on academic course work.
As a home-school friendly campus, LaGrange College invites home-schooled students to apply for admission. In addition to the items requested for first-year admission, home-schooled students are asked to provide two (2) letters of recommendation. Please note that family members may not submit letters of recommendation. The Office of College Access and Admission will also need a copy of the most current letter of intent to home school as filed with the state Department of Education.
Applicants who have the General Educational Development (GED) diploma should have satisfied all standard scores on each sub-test and all average standard scores on all GED sub-tests. An official transcript of a prospective student’s GED must be submitted for admission. Applicants who have completed the GED should have a minimum overall score set to scaled score of 170 for each of the four modules, with a minimum score of 165 on each of the four content area modules. The Office of College Access and Admission or the Faculty Admissions Committee will review the scores. The SAT or ACT requirement may be waived for students who are at least 24 years of age. An interview and/or other academic aptitude assessments, as well as letters of recommendation, may be required by the Committee.
All first-year applicants must complete the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The applicant should have an ACT composite score of at least 19 with a minimum English sub-score of 18, or a combined SAT score of at least 1,000 with a minimum SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 500. The ACT Plus-Writing score or the SAT Writing score and sub-scores may be used for placement. A student should include the LaGrange College code when requesting test results to be sent to the College. The LaGrange College ACT code number is 0834; the SAT code number is 5362.
LaGrange College records the combined score from the ACT and/or SAT for admission, scholarship, and reporting purposes. The combined score is defined as the highest composite score a student has obtained from multiple test administrations, whether the ACT or the SAT. The College reports the highest ACT or SAT sub-scores from the highest composite score report for admission, scholarship, and reporting purposes and employs a concordance table to determine whether the higher ACT or SAT sub-score is reported. The ACT and/or SAT combined score is factored from collating the combined highest scores from composite sub-scores regardless of the administrations from which each score was obtained.
Upon completion of the application sequence described below, a student’s credentials will be evaluated, and a decision will be communicated to the applicant as quickly as possible. The Office of College Access and Admission reserves the right to request or waive documentation as appropriate. A student should submit the following items:
The Faculty Admission Committee may request additional materials from an applicant or require an interview to gain a better perspective of the student’s potential for success in a challenging academic environment. The Office of College Access and Admission notifies applicants of their application status shortly after review by the Admission Committee. Admission to the college requires satisfactory completion of academic work in progress.
Students sign an Honor Code statement pledging not to lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate these unethical behaviors in others. Recognizing the importance of adherence to the Honor Code, the Office of College Access and Admission extends this principle to our application process. Any student who omits or falsifies material details in the application for admission will not be admitted or the offer of admission may be revoked.
A number of factors are considered in making an admission decision, including a student's grade point average, rigor of coursework, standardized test scores, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, recommendations, and admission essay. Students may be accepted to LaGrange College in one of several categories.
Most students offered admission to LaGrange College are accepted with no stipulations, other than successful completion of their current academic coursework and proof of high school graduation.
In some cases candidates for admission may meet most of the criteria for admission but still not qualify for regular admission. At the discretion of the Faculty Admission Committee, such students may be admitted on probation. Students admitted on probation must meet the minimum stated grade point average requirement based on their class level in order to be removed from probationary status.
Students who are Conditionally Admitted to LaGrange College are eligible to attend the Foundations Program. The Foundations Program is a month-long, residential academic and student engagement support program designed to facilitate a smooth and seamless transition into life at LaGrange College. During the summer Foundations Program, students are assigned two classes (6 credit hours) that will count towards their overall coursework at LaGrange College. Students are provided campus housing during the program, and will receive intensive academic support and student engagement support to further enhance their transition into LaGrange College for the Fall. Candidates, who successfully complete the summer Foundations Program with a minimum grade of at least a “C” in each of the two courses, will be granted clear and unconditional admittance to LaGrange College.
LaGrange College encourages qualified twelfth-grade students to consider simultaneous enrollment in LaGrange College and their high school. Georgia high school seniors may also wish to consider participating in the Georgia Dual Enrollment Program for a limited number of courses offered in the Fall and Spring semesters. Students wishing to apply for the Dual Enrollment program must submit the following materials:
An accepted freshman must acknowledge his or her decision to enroll at LaGrange by submitting an Enrollment Deposit in the amount of $300. Enrollment Deposits are due May 1st for Fall Semester and December 1st for Spring Semester, or thirty days from the date of acceptance if accepted after April 1st or November 1st, respectively. Deposits are refundable if requested in writing before the May 1st or December 1st deadline, respectively. Freshmen applicants should notify the Office of College Access and Admission as soon as a firm decision to enroll has been reached. Additional financial aid, housing information, and course registration information will follow as soon as The Office of College Access and Admission has been notified of the student’s decision to enroll.
Prior to registration, new students must submit the completed Housing and Health Forms to the Office of Campus Life, including the record of immunization. Immunizations must be up to date as outlined on the Health Form. A physical examination is not required.
Financial Aid and Scholarship procedures should also be completed in a timely manner. Please refer to the Financial Aid section in this bulletin for specific information on the process.
LaGrange College is a residential campus. Policies and procedures relating to living on campus and options to live off campus can be found in the Student Handbook. It is very important that the completed Housing Forms and the Enrollment Deposit be sent as soon as a decision is made to enroll.
During the New Student Orientation session(s), each student will meet with an advisor to discuss the curriculum and to register for classes in the Fall or Spring Semester. While on campus, the student may contact the Office of Financial Aid and Affordability to finalize financial arrangements. Arrangements must be finalized prior to the first day of classes. If all Advanced Placement, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate, and final college and university transcripts have not been received and evaluated by the college, a student’s first semester of enrollment may be affected.
All new students for Fall semester must participate in one Orientation and Registration session during the summer. New students for the Spring semester must also participate in an Orientation and Registration session held prior to the first day of classes of the Spring semester. Information on Orientation and Registration will be sent from the Office of College Access and Admission as plans are finalized.
LaGrange College welcomes applications from qualified students who wish to transfer from other regionally accredited colleges and universities, provided that they are eligible to return to their current institution in good academic standing at the time of entry to LaGrange College. Accepted applicants may enroll at the beginning of any semester. Applications for admission are reviewed on a rolling basis and admission decisions are reached upon receipt of all official documents and transcripts.
For the purpose of admission, a transfer student is defined as one who has successfully completed at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of non-remedial courses at a regionally accredited college or university after having graduated high school or high school equivalency. Applicants who do not meet this definition must meet the same admission criteria as all other freshmen. In order to be eligible for regular admission to LaGrange as a transfer student, one must have earned a minimum of a 2.25 or higher GPA on all work attempted at the post-secondary level.
A transfer student must be in good academic standing at all previously attended institutions. Transfer applicants under academic or disciplinary suspension or dismissal from a previous institution cannot be admitted to LaGrange until such sanctions are lifted. Transfer applicants not meeting the requirements listed above will be reviewed by the Faculty Admission Committee. A student may be accepted conditionally under the standard criteria for conditional admission. Prior to the student’s admission to LaGrange College, the Office of College Access and Admission must receive all necessary documents, including official transcripts of all college coursework. Any applicant who intentionally withholds information about college coursework previously attempted, either by failing to report that coursework or by failing to provide an appropriate transcript, will be subject to a revocation of any admission or scholarship offer(s) extended by LaGrange College.
To apply for admission as a transfer student, a student should submit the following:
An accepted transfer student must acknowledge the decision to enroll by submitting an Enrollment Deposit of $300. Policies and procedures relating to living on campus and options to live off campus can be found in the Student Handbook. It is very important that the completed Student forms and the Enrollment Deposit be sent as soon as a decision is made to enroll. Room assignments are made according to the date the forms and deposit are received.
Prior to registration, new students must submit the completed Housing and Health Forms to the Office of Campus Life, including the record of immunization. Immunizations must be up to date as outlined on the Health Form. A physical examination is not required.
During the New Student Orientation session(s), each student will meet with an academic advisor to discuss the remaining College core requirements, the curriculum, and course selections for the semester. If all official final college and university transcripts have not been received and evaluated by the College, a transfer student’s first semester of enrollment may be affected.
Before classes begin, transfer students must finalize their financial arrangements with the Office of Financial Aid and Affordability in regard to tuition, room and board, and other fees.
LaGrange College is pleased to receive and review applications for admission from international students. Increasing international understanding is valued at LaGrange College. In promoting that understanding, LaGrange College seeks to enroll an internationally diverse student body. The College serves as a host or home base institution for short-term international visitors and has executed cooperative agreements with Seigakuin University in Tokyo, Japan; Instituto Laurens in Monterrey, Mexico; Study USA in Northern Ireland, and the Methodist International Student Exchange Network (MISEN), among others. Since correspondence for international admission can be extensive and time consuming, it is strongly recommended that students apply by May 15th for the Fall Semester, and by October 15th for the Spring Semester.
LaGrange is authorized under the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Admission to LaGrange College requires submission of the international student application, application fee, and translated and certified documents attesting to the student's academic performance in secondary and/or university studies. International students are required to follow the prescribed admission procedures below and to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination (TOEFL), the SAT, or the ACT, and to provide an official statement of financial resources sufficient to support educational costs.
An international freshman applicant must have above average grades (equivalent to a minimum of 2.50 grade point average based on a 4.00 grading scale) in a balanced academic curriculum from the secondary school. An international transfer student must be in good academic standing and eligible to return to the post-secondary institution last attended.
LaGrange College does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and therefore requires evidence of English proficiency for consideration of admission. If the native language is not English, proficiency should be substantiated by a minimum score of at least 20 on each section of the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a minimum reading, listening, and writing score of at least 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT); an SAT combined score of at least 1,000 with a minimum SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 500; or an ACT composite score of at least 19, with a minimum English sub-score of 18. English proficiency may also be achieved with a minimum IELTS score of 6, a certificate of completion of level 112 from the ELS Centers, Inc.; or grades of “C” or better on G.C.E, G.S.C.E, or C.X.C. English examinations or equivalent tests.
All international students must have sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, textbooks, living expenses, transportation expenses, and other incidental expenses while attending college in the United States. An applicant should be realistic in determining the extent of his or her personal financial resources relative to the total cost. International students must submit an affidavit of support and financial statements demonstrating the ability to pay the cost of attendance for at least one (1) year of study. If the prospective student is in the United States, an interview at the college is desirable. The Vice President for Enrollment should be contacted for an appointment as well as for the current interpretation of regulations with regard to obtaining an F-1 student visa.
Federal and State financial aid is not available to international students. Institutional financial aid may be available to highly qualified students.
Upon completion of the application sequence described below, a student’s credentials will be evaluated, and a decision will be communicated to the student as quickly as possible. An international student should submit the following items:
International Transfer Students: International transfer students who have earned a Baccalaureate degree from a foreign institution should present an evaluated transcript from an approved foreign credentials service to the Registrar for evaluation. Credit will be given for courses equivalent to our general education core requirements in which the student has earned a minimum grade of C.
An accepted international student must acknowledge his or her decision to enroll at LaGrange College by submitting the following items:
Upon receipt of the above items a Certificate of Eligibility—Non-Immigrant F-1 Student Status (Form I-20) will be provided to the admitted student. At this point, the Office of Global Engagement will assume responsibility for communication with the accepted international student and will make all further necessary arrangements for a smooth transition to campus.
LaGrange College is a residential campus. Policies and procedures relating to living on campus and options to live off campus can be found in the Student Handbook. International students should keep in mind that residence hall rooms are assigned based on information provided by completing all housing forms and by submitting the enrollment deposit. Further information on campus life and resources can be found in the International Student Handbook, published by the Office of Global Engagement, and is available on the college website.
All new students participate in orientation activities organized by the Office of Global Engagement. Before classes begin, international students must finalize their financial arrangements with the Business Office in regard to tuition, room and board, and other fees. Information on Orientation will be sent from the Office of Global Engagement as plans are finalized.
It is the student’s responsibility to comply carefully with all non-immigrant alien requirements as stated in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services laws and regulations.
Upon receipt of the Form I-20, the international student should apply for a student visa (F-1). Documented evidence of financial support must be attached to the Certificate of Eligibility when applying for the student visa at the United States Embassy or Consular Office. Passport processing can be quite lengthy. It is important to apply for the passport well in advance of the departure date.
International students who wish to attend LaGrange College under the semester or year-long exchange programs available through LaGrange College international partners should contact the Office of Global Engagement for further information regarding the application and applicable college policies. International Exchange Students who later wish to apply as degree-seeking International Students must follow the application procedures for International Admission and meet international admission requirements.
Former students of LaGrange College who wish to return to LaGrange must submit an application for readmission to the Office of College Access and Admission. Following an absence from LaGrange College of three (3) or more semesters, or following any period of time during which a student was not in good standing during the last term of enrollment at LaGrange College, or in the case of any student wishing to return to attempt additional coursework, submission of an Application for Readmission is required. This form is available in the Office of College Access and Admission. Students seeking readmission to LaGrange College must be cleared by the following Offices: Office of the Registrar, Business Office, Student Accounts, Office of Financial Aid and Affordability, Office of Student Engagement, Office of Campus Life. Any student absent from LaGrange College for 2 semesters or less, who was in good standing when he/she last attended LaGrange College, may re-activate his/her file in the Registrar’s Office. These students do not need to apply for readmission.
In the event that a student seeking readmission has attended another institution as a transfer student (not transient) since he or she left LaGrange College, then the student, if readmitted, is treated as a new transfer student. Students fitting this description are subject to the Bulletin in force at the time of transfer back to LaGrange College. Students who have not attended another institution are generally governed by the Bulletin in force at the time of their initial admission. However, students who have been out of school for four (4) calendar years or more re-enter LaGrange College under the Bulletin in force at the time of readmission and resumption of study.
Students not working toward a degree may register as non-degree undergraduate students in any course for which they have the necessary prerequisites. An application for non-degree undergraduate student status may be obtained through the Office of College Access and Admission. Students classified as non-degree undergraduate students may become regular, degree-seeking students by meeting requirements for regular admission. All non-degree seeking students, designated as special students, may register for regular courses through the Office of the Registrar after being admitted through the Office of College Access and Admission. Registration is subject to the following restrictions:
For further information on special student applications, contact the Office of College Access and Admission.
Transient status is available to students regularly enrolled and in good standing at another college or university who desire to attend LaGrange College. A transient student must submit a letter of good standing or a transient form indicating good standing and pre-approved courses from their home institution. Approval of coursework must be authorized by the primary institution on the Transient Application for Admission, which is available in the Office of College Access and Admission. A permission letter from the student's home institution certifying status and granting permission for specific transient coursework may also be sent. This information, and valid photograph identification, must be presented to the Office of the Registrar at LaGrange College at the time of enrollment.
LaGrange College participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who have taken college-level courses and who would like to apply for academic credit at LaGrange should take the appropriate AP Examination and have the test results sent to the Office of the Registrar. The College reviews and evaluates AP courses on an individual basis in the context of a student’s proposed area of study. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the College, and students should not assume that credit will be awarded automatically. Three to eight (3 - 8) semester hours of credit are granted for each AP Examination passed with a score of four or higher in courses comparable to LaGrange College courses. The passing score and the number of hours granted is determined by the corresponding academic program. Information regarding specific AP credit granted is available on the College’s web site.
LaGrange College awards credit for satisfactory performance on the tests of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provided that the examination area is comparable to a course offered for credit at LaGrange College. A CLEP exam grade of “C” or better is needed to receive credit; only 6 CLEP credit hours will be accepted for courses below the 3000-level. Although students who wish to receive credit granted on this basis are encouraged to take Subject Examinations, the 6 hours permitted may be in Subject Examinations, General Examinations, or both. Students wishing to receive credit based on CLEP scores should request the College Level Examination Program to send an official score report directly to the Office of the Registrar. Information regarding specific CLEP credit granted is available on the College’s web site.
LaGrange College recognizes the successful achievement of students participating in the curriculum of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Students are encouraged to submit their IB examination scores for review. Credit is only awarded for the IB Higher Level Examinations (not the IB Subsidiary Examinations) provided that the examination area is comparable to a course offered for credit at LaGrange College and that a minimum score of 5, 6, or 7 on the Higher Level examinations, with the exception of English as a Second Language. No credit is awarded solely for earning an IB Diploma, for IB Standard Level exams, or for scores below 5 on any Higher Level examination. Credit is awarded at the discretion of the College, and students should not assume that credit will be awarded automatically. An IB transcript should be sent to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation.
Courses taken through the United States Armed Forces Institute and other recognized military educational programs are accepted in accordance with the policy governing transfer work when presented on official transcripts from accredited institutions. Nine (9) semester hours of elective credit will be allowed for military service credit, including USAFI correspondence courses and military service school courses as recommended by the American Council on Education. Academic credit for one activity course in physical education, up to a maximum of four, will be awarded for each two months served in the Armed Forces. The maximum credit possible, then, is thirteen (13) semester hours. The Registrar should be contacted in order to obtain appropriate credit.
LaGrange College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone: 404-679-4501) to award degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Arts in Teaching, Specialist in Education degree in Teacher Leadership, Master of Philanthropy and Development, and Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Accordingly, the college accepts coursework from similarly regionally accredited colleges and universities.
Academic credit is normally given to students for grades of "C" or above. Acceptable credit from a two-year institution is limited to 60 semester hours. Students enrolling from other four-year institutions may be able to receive up to 81 semester credits, but LaGrange College residency requirements, the core curriculum, and appropriate major coursework must be satisfied. A Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) student having a minimum 2.5 GPA for all academic work attempted at a SACS accredited TCSG institution and an Associate of Science degree from a TCSG institution will be automatically admitted to LaGrange College and all general education requirements will be considered met. Transfer students who have attempted any developmental-level coursework must provide evidence that they have completed all requirements and successfully exited the program prior to evaluation by the Office of Admission.
For those transfer students who have earned a previous bachelor’s degree, LaGrange College accepts a maximum of 81 semester hours, which leaves a minimum of 39 semester hours to take at LaGrange College to satisfy the minimum residency requirement and reach the necessary 120 semester hours to receive a degree from LaGrange College. Core requirements as well as Interim Term requirements are considered satisfied; however, a requirement of ten (10) Cultural Enrichment events must be satisfied.
When transfer applications are accepted, the Registrar will review and evaluate all coursework taken at institutions outside of LaGrange College. Assignment of transfer credit is based on course descriptions from the submitting institutions, recommendations from the academic departments, and previously established equivalencies already in place. The report, indicating courses and credit hours for which transfer credit will be accepted by LaGrange College, will be mailed to the student prior to registration for the upcoming term. If the student does not agree with the awarded credit for a particular course, he/she may petition the academic department offering the course.