Undergraduate Admission

Admission Policy (Policy 2004-02)

Admission and other policies referenced here may be viewed online at https://www.seattleu.edu/registrar/.

The Provost and the Dean of Admissions administer university admissions policy. All admission materials submitted by applicants are the property of Seattle University. Students should refer to specific school or departmental requirements in addition to the general admission requirements outlined in this section. This information is found in subsequent sections of this Catalog.

Seattle University seeks to enroll students who demonstrate noteworthy academic achievement; moral character; evidence of integrity and personal maturity; commitment to citizenship through public service and school activities; community involvement and leadership; and who represent a broad diversity of cultural, ethnic, geographic and socio-economic backgrounds. Personal qualities, including whether an applicant has confronted adversity and shows promise to positively contribute to the Seattle University community, are also considered in our holistic admissions review. 

An individual’s past conduct, particularly as it may relate to unlawful or criminal behavior, is relevant to the admission process. Seattle University reserves the right to deny admission or continued enrollment to individuals who have engaged in unlawful or criminal behavior. Each applicant and student is responsible for disclosing in writing at the time of application any and all criminal convictions classified either as a felony or gross misdemeanor.

Students are expected to fully and truthfully respond to all questions on their admissions application and to update the Admissions Office in writing if any information changes between submission of the application and enrollment. False or misleading information or material omissions in connection with the application process may result in denial of admission, withdrawal of admission, dismissal, or other appropriate action in the judgment of the university. The Dean of Admissions reserves the right to deny acceptance or to withdraw admission for academic or other reasons relevant to the applicant’s qualifications to attend the university and positively contribute to the Seattle University community.

Undergraduate admission is available to qualified applicants for all four quarters of the academic year. Inquiries should be made at https://www.seattleu.edu/undergraduate-admissions/request-information/ or by email to admissions@seattleu.edu.

Applications

Seattle University accepts the Common Application for undergraduate candidates who will be first time in college students. Transfer students apply using the Seattle University Transfer Application.These can be accessed online through the Seattle University website, seattleu.edu, or the Common Application commonapp.org.

First Time in College Admission Procedures and Timetable

First-Year Admission

First Time in College applicants are required to submit a Common Application and the following materials:

• Official high school transcript
• Standardized testing is optional at Seattle University. The student must indicate that they will be applying without test scores at the time of application. Applicants who choose to be considered for admission with their test scores must submit official ACT or SAT score reports (these will be accepted if recorded on the official high school transcript.) Note: Seattle University will use the highest sub-scores from the SAT or ACT to create a super score
• Secondary School Report form completed by a school counselor (via the Common Application)
• Essay or personal statement
• Non-refundable $60 application fee*

*The application fee is waived for students who have a sibling, parent or grandparent who graduated from Seattle University, graduates (or current attendees) of any Jesuit High or Catholic High School and for those that qualify for a NACAC or CollegeBoard fee waiver.  More information on applying with a fee waiver can be found when completing your Common Application.

The deadline for early action admission consideration for fall quarter is November 15; the deadline for priority consideration for regular decision fall quarter admission is January 15.

Notification for fall quarter for early action applicants is the end of December; regular decision admission notification occurs by mid-March. Admissions decision notification is sent by mail and can also be viewed online in your admission portal.

Fall quarter first-year applicants for admission should apply by January 15. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis. All admission credentials should be received by January 15 for priority consideration for the fall quarter, and by the following deadlines for winter, spring and summer quarters:

A non-refundable confirmation deposit of $500 is required of all enrolling new first-time in college students for fall quarter admission and is applied towards the first quarter’s tuition; the deposit amount for fall transfer enrollment is $250. Enrollment deposits must be postmarked by May 1 or within 30 days of acceptance, whichever is later, for those accepted for fall quarter. Enrollment deposits are waived for those admitted in the winter, spring or summer quarters, however, students must inform the Admissions Office of their intent to enroll through a form that can be found in their portal.

Appeals of admission decisions should be made in writing to the Dean of Admissions and will be reviewed by the Admissions Review Board. Appeals should indicate why the applicant believes the decision should be reconsidered. Such applicants are advised to include any new information about their academic records that will assist the admissions staff in its deliberations.

First-Year in College Admission Requirements

Seattle University is committed to a holistic admissions review process.

Primary consideration is given to an applicant’s course selection and performance. Preference is also given to entering first-years who will complete a minimum of 16 secondary units in core (“gateway”) subjects. These prerequisites include:

• Four years of high school English (not including English as a Second Language course work)
• Three years of college preparatory mathematics, e.g. Algebra I and II and Geometry, or their equivalents. Four units of college preparatory mathematics, including the equivalent of pre-Calculus, are required for entrance to College of Science and Engineering programs
• Two years of laboratory science. Laboratory biology and chemistry are required for admission to the College of Nursing; laboratory chemistry and physics are required for entrance to engineering programs; laboratory chemistry and biology are required for entrance to the Bachelor of Science-Biology degree program
• Three years (equivalent) of social studies and/or history
• Two years of a foreign language (the foreign language unit requirement may be waived if compensated with additional coursework in English, social studies, laboratory science and/or mathematics)
• Two additional electives from the above listed subject areas

Special Consideration

Occasionally, students who show exceptional promise may be admitted to Seattle University without satisfying minimum admission requirements. The University’s Admissions Review Board and/or the Provost make admissions decisions in these cases.

Applicants with Disabilities

Seattle University policy aims to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding students and applicants with disabilities. Under these laws, no qualified individual with a disability will be denied access or participation in services, programs and activities at the university. The university’s Equal Opportunity Officer is designated as the ADA/Section 504 compliance officer. For information about services on campus for students with disabilities, visit https://www.seattleu.edu/disabilities-services/

Applicants are not required to disclose a disability on their admissions application. Students may choose to identify or reference physical, learning, psychological or other disabilities in their application, and disclosure will not be used to discriminate against the applicant. All information supplied by an applicant to the university regarding any disability will be treated confidentially.

If a student is admitted and does have a disability, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Disability Services Office as soon as possible if they require special services or accommodations.

For assistance contact Disabilities Services at (206) 296-5740; https://seattleu.edu/disabilities-services/.

Non-discrimination in Admissions

Seattle University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in the administration of any of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered policies and programs, or in its employment related policies and practices. In addition, the University does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program. Inquiries about the non-discrimination policy may be directed to the university’s Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX coordinator at (206) 296-8515.

Home Schooled Applicants

Seattle University welcomes applicants who have received their education through homeschooling experiences. We recognize that traditional high school may not be ideal for every student. In order to maintain consistency in how we read applications from all students, homeschool students must supply the additional information.

Seattle University Admissions requires the following application requirements in order to thoroughly evaluate whether homeschool applicants have met the necessary foundation of skills and academic credentials to be successful students at Seattle University.

All first-year applicants, regardless of homeschool status, are required to submit the following:

• Completed Common Application with essay, application fee, and writing supplements
• Official transcripts for all completed or in-progress coursework
• One teacher recommendation
• One counselor recommendation/secondary school report
• Seattle University is test optional. If you would like your ACT or SAT results to be considered as part of your application you will note this on your Common Application and will be required to submit official test scores from the testing agency 

In addition to the general application requirements listed above, first-year homeschool applicants are also required to submit the following additional information by the application deadline in order to have the application considered complete:

Home School Questions

The Home School questions on the School Report form of the Common Application completed by the homeschool supervisor (the person responsible for education plan and overseeing instruction).

Official Transcripts

All official transcripts, including a detailed official homeschool transcript signed by the homeschool supervisor. The homeschool transcript should include detailed course descriptions, texts used, and the minimum number of hours per week of instruction. 

Official transcripts are also required for any additional coursework completed or in progress in a non-home school setting, including traditional secondary schools, colleges, universities, or any other type of school where credit was or will be received. Official transcripts of all completed or in-progress coursework are required from all original sources even if the homeschool transcript includes them. 

Note: This fulfills the “official transcript” requirement of first-year applicants. Please also be aware of the minimum secondary school course requirements for all first-year applicants, found under “Admission Requirements” on the Undergraduate Admissions website. 

Letter of recommendation

One additional letter of recommendation from a non-relative (including requirements for all first-year applicants, this means that you will be submitting a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation). This is a total of two letters from non-relatives and one School Report from the counselor. Preferably this additional recommendation will be from a teacher who has taught the student within the last three years in an academic subject. If the homeschool supervisor is the only teacher and counselor, two additional letters of recommendation are still required from non-relative sources familiar with the student’s academic quality, work ethic, and/or character. 

Assessments

Homeschool applicants are required to show additional non-home-school-setting assessments in three academic areas: English, mathematics and laboratory science. The following options note the methods through which these assessments may be displayed.  

If the student took the SAT as part of the standard admissions requirements, they must show additional assessments in English, mathematics, and laboratory science (laboratory science constitutes natural sciences such as biology or chemistry but does not include social sciences such as psychology). This can be completed through one of these options:  

• ACT results (writing portion recommended)
• AP test results in math, lab science and either English literature or English language
• IB test results in math, lab science, and English. 
• CLEP exam results in math, lab science and either English literature or English composition
• At least one course in each area - math, lab science, and English - completed with an official transcript from a traditional, accredited secondary school
• At least one course in each area - math, lab science, and English - completed with official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university (includes Running Start credits at Washington State community colleges)
• A sufficient combination of options above showing assessments in English, math, and lab science. For example, an appropriate display of assessments could include an AP test score in English Language and Calc AB, and an official college transcript with credits in a 100-level Biology course. 

If the student took the ACT (writing portion recommended) as part of the standard first year admissions requirements, they must show additional assessment in English and mathematics. This can be completed through one of these options: 

• SAT results
• AP test results in math and either English literature or English language
• IB test results in math and English
• CLEP exam results in math and either English literature or English composition 
• At least one course in each area - math and English - completed with an official transcript from a traditional, accredited secondary school
• At least one course in each area - math and English - completed with an official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university (includes Running Start credits at Washington State community colleges)
• A sufficient combination of options above showing assessments in English, math, and lab science. For example, an appropriate display of assessments could include an AP score in Calculus I and an official college transcript with credits in a 100-level English course. 

Note: While taking both the SAT and ACT fulfills the above requirement for additional, taking either the SAT or ACT multiple times will not alone fulfill this requirement. 

For students who are applying test-optional to Seattle University and have been home-schooled for the majority of their high school career we will need to see: 

• AP test results in math, laboratory science and either English literature or English language
• IB test results in math, lab science and English
• CLEP exam results in math, laboratory science and either English literature or English composition
• At least one course in each area - math, laboratory science and English - completed with an official transcript from a traditional, accredited secondary school
• At least one course in each area - math, laboratory science and English - completed with an official transcript from a regionally accredited college or university (includes Running Start credits at Washington State community colleges)
• A sufficient combination of options above showing assessments in English, math, and lab science

Early Action

For those who have identified Seattle University as one of their college choices, Early Action enables students to apply for admission and receive their admission decision notification early.

This is a non-binding option admissions plan and those accepted through Early Action are able to apply to other universities. Those accepted through Early Action are not required to commit prior to the National Candidates’ Reply Date of May 1.

Early Action candidates must check the Early Action option on the Common Application and submit all required credentials (official transcript, essay, letters of recommendation, optional ACT or SAT scores) by Nov. 15. Those applying for Early Action will be notified of their admissions decision by late December.

Placement Examinations

The respective departments administer optional placement tests in modern languages. Entering first time in college students have the opportunity to show the extent of their preparation, so that the departments can determine the correct level at which entering first-year students begin their college work. All first-year students will be required to take a math placement exam.

Running Start Program (Policy 92-1)

First-time in college applicants who have completed college coursework in high school-including Washington State Running Start-must submit official college transcripts, in addition to final high school transcripts, after confirming their enrollment at SU. Transfer credits will be evaluated according to usual guidelines. (See Academic Regulations ) First-time in college applicants with college coursework must fulfill all other FTIC application requirements.

The university classifies first-time college applicants as : a) all students who graduated from high school in the current year regardless of the number of transfer credits; and b) students attending college for the first time after high school graduation, regardless of when they graduated from high school.

First-year transfers are those who have accrued one to 44 college credits, not including summer coursework immediately following high school graduation. Freshman Running Start students expecting to receive a direct transfer associate of arts or associate of science degree from a Washington state community college-especially applicants pursing Nursing or degrees in the College of Science and Engineering-should consult the Admissions Office directly to plan their transfer of credits accordingly.

Admission from Another Post-Secondary Institution
(Policies 77-1 and 79-1)

A student who has established a satisfactory record at another accredited college or university, and is in good standing at the last institution attended, may apply for admission with advanced standing at SU. Applicants for transfer admission must:

1. Submit an application for admission, and an application fee of $60. (This fee is waived for applicants who have or will receive a direct transfer associate of arts or science degree from a Washington state community college immediately prior to intended enrollment at the university.)

Completed transfer admissions applications should be received by the following deadlines in order to receive priority consideration for the desired term of entry:

Nursing and Diagnostic Ultrasound have earlier deadlines, so applicants should consult the Admissions Office directly to plan accordingly. Applicants must submit official copies of transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended. When applying for admission or readmission, failure to furnish all records from all postsecondary institutions attended, regardless of whether attempted course work was completed, places students under penalty of withdrawal of admission or immediate dismissal. The university has the option to declare credits not presented at the time of application as non-transferable.
 

2. Transfer applicants who have completed less than 36 quarter or 24 semester hours of transferable credit at other postsecondary institutions must fulfill the secondary school unit requirements for first-year admission. In such cases, an official final secondary school transcript must also be submitted which shows graduation date.

Transfer students suspended or dismissed for behavioral or social reasons at other institutions must provide a statement of explanation as well as a letter from the Dean of Students at the previous institution explaining the circumstances for the suspension or dismissal.

When assessing records for admission, grades in non-credit courses are not counted.

Other Admission Standings/Requirements

Special requirements apply for the following applicants:

International Students (Policy 76-6)

Specific admission requirements and procedures for international students are outlined in the university’s undergraduate international student application materials. These criteria differ from those applied to citizens of the United States.

Non-matriculated Students (Policies 82-2 and 92-2)

Admission as a non-matriculated student is allowed for the purpose of post-secondary or post-baccalaureate study that is not intended to culminate in a degree. Students must be in good standing at regionally accredited colleges or universities. Students are required to complete a Seattle University non-matriculated student application and submit a $60 application fee. Non-matriculated students do not qualify for financial aid or academic counseling. Applicants initially denied admission are not eligible to reapply for non-matriculated student status.

Not all courses are open to non-matriculates. During the fall, winter and spring quarters non-matriculated students will be admitted to courses on a space-available basis after all matriculated students have had the opportunity to register (typically, two weeks prior to the start of classes). During the summer term, non-matriculated students may register when registration opens for the term.