Admission

Siena Heights admits students who have the intellectual ability and self-motivation to accept the challenge of working toward their academic goals in an atmosphere of  support and freedom. In addition to academic records, evidence of the ability to benefit from the opportunities and resources available at Siena Heights is considered. Siena Heights University follows a “rolling admissions” procedure. This means that qualified students receive admissions decisions as they complete the formal application  process by submitting the online application and all supporting data. 

First-Time Freshmen

1. Complete and submit the online Undergraduate Application for Admission
2. Request an official secondary school transcript (or official GED certificate)
3. If applicable, request official college transcript(s) for all Dual Enrollment coursework taken.
4. If applicable, submit official Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test results.

Note: Because Siena is a Test-Optional institution, official SAT or ACT score results are accepted, but are not required for admission to the University. Some academic and athletic programs, however, require SAT or ACT results to determine program eligibility.

Transfer Students

1. Complete and submit the online Undergraduate Application for Admission
2. Request official transcripts from all colleges and postsecondary institutions attended
3. Transfer students with less than 60 credits must submit an official final secondary school transcript (or official GED certificate with date of graduation). Transfer students with 60 or more transfer credits are not required to submit a secondary school transcript or GED certificate.
4. If applicable, submit official Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test results.
5. Transfer students who hold certificate(s) of training, licensure, and/or registry should submit appropriate documents, including work experience verification, for evaluation.

Graduate College Students

1. Complete and submit the online Graduate College Application for Admission
2. Request official college transcript(s) from all previously-attended institutions of higher learning
3. Provide a current professional resume
4. Complete required Personal Statement/Professional Goal Statement (details available in the application checklist after application has been submitted)
5. Submit completed Criminal Conviction Disclosure Form
6. For teachers, provide a copy of the teacher’s certificate
7. For counseling applicants, an interview is required with the Program Director

Readmission Students

1. Former students seeking readmission to Siena Heights University following a period of non-attendance for one or more sessions are required to complete the online Application for Readmission.
2. Final decisions regarding readmission are made after approval is received from designated administrative departments that may include, but are not limited to, the Office of the Registrar, Office of Residence Life, Financial Aid Office, and the Office of Student Accounts.
3. Official transcripts of all college coursework attempted since the student last attended Siena Heights University must be submitted, along with any additional requested information, prior to a readmission decision.
4. If readmitted, the student will be bound by the requirements of the catalog governing at the time of readmission, and not by any previous catalog.

International Students

Siena Heights University is authorized under U.S. federal law to enroll non-immigrant applicants. International applicants are subject to all requirements for admission to their chosen undergraduate and graduate program.

Immigration Requirements for requesting an I-20

Under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), Siena Heights University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. Applicants planning to attend Siena Heights University on a F1 student visa must also submit the following documentation in order to receive an I-20:

1. A completed Request for I-20 packet. The forms may be obtained from the Office of International Studies.
2. An affidavit of support assuring financial coverage of a minimum of one year’s tuition and living expenses. The appropriate figures for this may be obtained from the Office of International Studies. Statements must be dated within three months.
3. If the document provided is from a financial sponsor, a signed affidavit of support letter must accompany the bank statement.
4. Deposit with Siena Heights University $2,000 before an I-20 letter of support and admission letter can be issued, if applicable.
5. Complete the I-20 application form and sign the international student agreement.
6. Copies of previous I-20s from other institutions, if applicable.
7. A copy of a valid passport. Valid passports must also be provided for any dependents.
8. Proof of valid health insurance. (All international students MUST provide evidence of insurance or purchase insurance through the Office of International Studies).
9. A self-reported health record.

F-1 Visa Process

In order to be awarded an F-1 international student visa, an international student must first be accepted by Siena Heights University and issued a valid I-20 document from this institution. The student must then pay a SEVIS fee (I-901) of $350.00 to Homeland Security (the payment may be made on-line; information for making the payment is included with the Siena Heights I-20 and letter of acceptance). Then, with a printed receipt of SEVIS fee payment, the international student must contact a United States Consulate in his or her country to make a visa interview appointment. There may be an additional fee payable to the United States Consulate for this appointment; consular officials will provide this information by phone. At this point, the international student has:

1. A valid I-20 Form from Siena Heights University.
2. A letter of acceptance/admission to Siena Heights University.
3. A receipt for the SEVIS (“Student and Exchange Visitor Information System”) fee payment.
4. A paid appointment receipt for a visa interview with United States consular officials in a United States Consulate abroad.
5. An original bank statement (the same admissions procedure bank statement on file with Siena Heights University demonstrating financial solvency) showing that the student or student sponsor has the required amount of money on deposit.

Undergraduate International Student Admission

Undergraduate international applicants must submit the following:

1. A completed application form. Apply at www.sienaheights.edu
2. An official secondary school (high school) transcript which includes date of graduation. Transcripts typically include grades 9 through 12 or 13 depending on the applicant’s home country educational system. An English translated copy must accompany the official transcript, where applicable.
3. International Transfer Students are any student who has been accepted and has enrolled in another institution with the intent of pursuing a Post-Secondary degree. This can be an institution that grants 2-year Associate Degrees or 4-year Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree. For transfer credit, official transcripts from each institution previously attended must be provided. One of the following international transcript evaluation services for equivalency must evaluate international transcripts:
   1. World Education Services (www.WES.org)
   2. Education Credential Evaluators (www.ECE.org)

4. Evidence of English proficiency is required for ALL students applying for the Undergraduate Program at Siena Heights University. ANY of the following can be submitted as evidence of English proficiency
   1. (TOEFL) minimum score of 525 (PBT - Paper Based Test) or 195 (CBT - Computer Based Test) or 71 (IBT - Internet Based Test) or equivalency to assure proficiency in the English language. Scores must be sent directly to Siena Heights University from ETS, Princeton, New Jersey.
   2. For English proficiency, students can also be evaluated upon arrival to Siena Heights University. Students who do not successfully pass the English Proficiency test will be required to take ESL prior to registering for academic courses. Students applying for the ESL program are not required to provide TOEFL scores and will be evaluated for English proficiency upon arrival.
   3. If available, student can submit SAT or ACT scores as evidence of English proficiency.
5. Students that meet the following criteria can be exempt from the English Language Test requirement.
   1. Students that have come from an English speaking country
   2. Students whose primary education was in English
   3. Students who are transferring from a College/University in the United States or another English speaking country having completed the minimum requirements for  admission to the College for Professional Studies.

Graduate International Student Admission

International graduate applicant must submit the following:

1. A completed graduate application form. Apply at www.sienaheights.edu
2. A degree that is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States. International transcripts must be evaluated for demonstrating the baccalaureate degree equivalency.
3. Applicants who come from an English speaking country MUST take the TOEFL exam. This will provide the university an opportunity to examine the applicant’s comprehension of the English language.
4. Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language according to the following minimum scores:

English Placement Test Concordance Table**

**Scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class at the proposed session of entry in order to be valid**

5. If the scores on the English test are acceptable, but indicate the need for further English study, an English as a Second Language Placement Test (EPT) will be required  upon arrival at the university. Based on the ESL EPT results, applicants may be required to enroll in non-credit ESL courses prior to beginning a full course of study. I
6. In addition to English test results; applicants will be required to submit a writing sample upon arrival at the university. Writing samples will be reviewed by the Graduate College and the applicant cleared for enrollment prior to enrolling in a full course of study.
7. May be required to remediate any deficiencies in previous college work by completing undergraduate courses at Siena Heights University.
8. All international applicants will be required to enroll in GRS 598 Foundations Of Professional Writing And Research  a three (3) credit-hour course during their first sub-session. GRS 598  is a prerequisite to the research class (CMH 602 , LDR 602 , or TED 602 ).

Enrollment Deposit – College of Arts & Science and Graduate College

To accept and secure an offer of admission from Siena Heights University, an Enrollment Deposit of $200 for residential students ($100 Tuition Prepayment and $100 Housing Security Deposit) or $100 for commuter students (Tuition Prepayment, only), must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Graduate students must also submit a deposit of $50, which is an advanced payment for admission.

Guest Students

Students enrolled at other colleges and universities who seek admission as guest students at Siena Heights University, or individuals who plan to audit a class, must submit a guest application to the Registrar’s Office. Guest students are not guaranteed admission to Siena Heights University, may register for no more than 8 credit hours, and are not eligible for Financial Aid.

Michigan Transfer Agreement

Siena Heights University participates in the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). This agreement provides for a more seamless transfer environment for students from community colleges to upper level higher education institutions in the State of Michigan. This agreement has a direct impact on all Michigan community colleges. The MTA requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of college-level credit which will fulfill most, if not all, of the lower-division general education requirements at Siena Heights University.  These 30 semester horus must include:

1. One course is English Composition
2. A second course in English Composition or one course in Communications
3. Two courses in Social Sciences (from two different academic disciplines)
4. Two courses in Natural Sciences including one with laboratory experience (from two different academic disciplines)
5. Two courses in Humanities or Fine Arts (from two different academic disciplines; studio and performance classes are not eligible)
6. One course in College Algebra, Statistics or Quantitative Reasoning

Each course used to complete MTA requirements must be completed with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

More information about the Michigan Transfer Agreement can be reviewed at https://www.macrao.org/michigan-transfer-agreement

Siena Heights University accepts up to 90 credit hours in transfer work with the grade of 2.0 or better. Associate degrees from accredited institutions will be accepted in total to Siena Heights. The Siena Heights University Registrar and the appropriate academic department will determine what courses will be used for the University’s majors and minors.