Admission Requirements and Policies

What do I need to be admitted to Arkansas Baptist College?

Admission Procedures

Arkansas Baptist College (ABC) is “open” admission, meaning there is no GPA, ACT or SAT test score requirement. 

The “open” admission policy allows admittance to all persons who show the potential for college level work, who subscribe to the mission and purpose of Arkansas Baptist College, and who meet the admissions requirements.

Additional documentation is required for certain applicant categories, such as First-Time Freshmen, International Students, Readmission of Former Students, Admission for Transfer Students, and Concurrent Enrollment for High School Students. Applicants not meeting established procedures will be denied admission.

New applicants generally need to take the COMPASS Placement Test in order to determine classroom placement. 

Not sure if you’re ready for college work? Start with a developmental Math, Reading, or English class for remedial work.

 

First-Time Freshmen – US Citizens or Resident Aliens

All applicants who wish to apply for admission should submit the following items to the Office of Admissions:

  1. A formal application for admission and a $25 non-refundable application fee.

 

  1. An official copy of the high school transcript that includes date of graduation or official GED test scores. Applicants are accepted conditionally with a seven-semester transcript pending receipt of the final transcript.  

 

3.  Official ACT or SAT test scores (if test has been taken). 

Note: Students who do not have a score of 17 or better on the ACT are required to take the COMPASS placement test.

4.  Proof of immunization. Regardless of age, all applicants should submit proof of two immunizations against measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and tuberculosis (TB).

Applicants who do not meet one of the above stated academic requirements for admission, but presents evidence of graduation with a transcript from an accredited high school are still eligible for admission. Such applicants are admitted on a conditional basis, may not enroll for more than fifteen (15) credit hours during the first semester and must earn a 2.00 grade point average.

Students who submit false information on the application for admission will be immediately withdrawn from the College.

International Students

International students must meet the same requirements as first-time freshmen and submit application materials by March 1 for the fall semester, August 1 for the spring semester, and February 1 for the summer term. International students who wish to enroll in Arkansas Baptist College must submit the following to the Office of Enrollment Management:

  1. A $100 non-refundable application fee.

 

  1. Official academic transcripts of secondary school, college, or university translated in English.

 

  1. The applicant is required to show proficiency in oral and written expression as evidenced by achievement of a minimum score of 500 on the paper based test or 173 on the computer based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (Except in countries where English is the official language).

 

  1. Certified proof of the ability to meet financial obligations incurred as a student at Arkansas Baptist College.

 

5.   Proof of health insurance coverage.

The I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility) will not be issued until the applicant has been accepted by the Office of Enrollment Management and has submitted a financial statement indicating how fees will be paid while attending Arkansas Baptist College.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Immigration and Naturalization Service rules governing non-immigrant “F-1” foreign students require all persons in this category to pursue a full course of study. This means that undergraduates must register for a minimum of 12 credit hours. Any modification of this requirement that results in a course load of less than the minimum must be authorized by the Registrar and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Failure to satisfy these requirements will cause students to be ineligible to receive the I-20 form to support their nonimmigrant status.

Readmission of Former Students

Students separated from ABC more than one semester (excluding summer school) must submit a new application and receive approval from the Office of the Registrar, Business Office, and the Office of Financial Aid. The student should also request official transcripts from any institution attended since Arkansas Baptist College. These transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admissions. Students who have not attended Arkansas Baptist College for more than five years must follow the guidelines and degree plan of the new course catalog for that curriculum.

 

Admission for Transfer Students

A student who previously attended another college may enter Arkansas Baptist College as a transfer student; depending on the nature of the academic record, some or all of the credits earned may be transferred to Arkansas Baptist College. Students who have satisfactorily completed courses at an accredited institution may be admitted to regular standing with such advanced credit as their previous records may warrant. To be eligible for transfer, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  1. Submit a high school transcript and official transcripts from each college or university attended. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 grade scale and provide proof of good standing from previously attended institutions. Students who are not eligible for readmission to the institution of previous attendance will NOT be considered for admission to Arkansas Baptist College until they have been out of college for a minimum of one (1) year.

 

  1. Applicants must be prepared to submit course descriptions from the official catalog of the institution(s) from which credits are to be transferred.

 

  1. No transfer grades below “C” will be accepted.

 

  1. No transfer credit in the major over ten years old will be accepted until and unless it is validated by the major department.

 

  1. Students may transfer no more than the maximum number of credit hours they would be permitted to earn on this campus in a period of time comparable to that in which the transfer credit was earned.  A maximum of sixty (60) hours will be accepted toward a degree from an accredited college or university.

 

6.   Applicants with a grade point average below 2.0 may be admitted conditionally. Conditionally admitted transfer students are eligible to enroll in a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours and must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average in their first semester in order to reenroll.

Transfer credits from unaccredited educational institutions are not accepted at Arkansas Baptist College. In exceptional cases where a student demonstrates (to the satisfaction of Arkansas Baptist College officials) a mastery of the subject matter equivalent to that taught on the general education level at ABC, acceptance of such transfer credit on an individual basis may be authorized, provided that such courses are equivalent in terms of course and hour values to general education courses taught at Arkansas Baptist College.

In such cases, Arkansas Baptist College reserves the right to require the applicant to demonstrate the required proficiency by scoring at acceptable levels on departmental examinations in related subject areas, by undergoing a probationary period of residence at Arkansas Baptist, or by fulfilling both of these requirements.

 

Concurrent Enrollment for High School Students

Outstanding high school students who wish to experience college level work may be admitted concurrently as part-time students. The criteria for admission are as follows:

  1. Must be a Senior in high school.

 

  1. Must have taken the ACT and have a composite score of 21.

 

  1. Must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average or ACT sub-score of 21 in the subject

area.

  1. Must have a letter of recommendation from the high school counselor or principal.

 

  1. Must meet course prerequisites.

 

6.   Must have permission of the department chair and instructor.

Students will be limited to six (6) credit hours per semester and must comply with all policies and procedures. To continue concurrent enrollment, students must earn a minimum grade of “C”.

Students who do not meet the above standards may be recommended by their high school counselor or principal for admission to selected courses and have permission from the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Concurrently enrolled students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.