Admission to the College of Arts & Sciences

Admission to the College of Arts & Sciences
Admission Requirements and Procedures for:
     First-Year Students
     Transfer Students
     Non-Degree Students
     International Students
Additional Information for Full-Time Students
Download an Application
Contact and Mailing Information

Admission to the College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences selects women for the undergraduate weekday program who will benefit from and contribute to the education offered at Trinity and who will be able to meet the standards for graduation. When considering candidates, the Admissions Committee evaluates a number of factors: high school records, scholastic aptitude, letters of recommendation, and a student's personal statement. Special talents, high motivation, and academic and social involvement are important factors in the consideration of a student's admission to Trinity.

Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged. Trinity admits students without regard to race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for First-Year Students

Secondary School Requirements
Entrance Examinations
Interviews and Campus Visits
Application Procedure

Secondary School Requirements

Academic growth at Trinity depends in part on the student's preparation in secondary school. The completion of a strong secondary school program ensures greater freedom and flexibility at the college level.

Candidates for admission should complete a secondary school program that includes 16 academic units from among the basic academic disciplines: English, history, second language, mathematics (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry), science (biology, chemistry, and physics), and social science. Beyond meeting the requirements for high school graduation, academic areas of special interest or importance should be pursued in greater depth.

Entrance Examinations

It is strongly recommended (although not required) that every candidate for admission as first-year student take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) or the American College Testing Assessment (ACT). The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request the results of additional achievement tests if deemed necessary.

It is suggested that these tests be taken no later than January of the student's senior year in secondary school. The college code number for designating SAT score reports to be sent to Trinity is 5796; the college code number for designating ACT score reports to be sent to Trinity is 0696.

Any student for whom English is a second language must demonstrate competency in English. Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or comparable evidence of English language proficiency must be submitted. For admission, the minimum score accepted on the paper-based exam is 550. Students may also be asked to take an English placement test or complete a personal interview. Students from Puerto Rico whose first language is Spanish may substitute the Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA) for the SAT or the ACT examinations.

Information about the SAT is available at the College Board website at: http://collegeboard.com. Informational bulletins about the ACT are available by calling ACT, Inc. at 319/337-1270 or online at http://www.act.org. Information about all other tests is available from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 or online at http://www.ets.org.

Interviews and Campus Visits

Though not required, an interview with an admissions representative is strongly recommended. Students are encouraged to visit campus. Overnight accommodations for high school seniors who have been accepted can be arranged by contacting the Office of Admissions two weeks in advance. Prospective students can shadow a current Trinity student throughout a typical day on campus. Reservations may be made for a campus visit and an interview by calling 800/492-6882 or 202/884-9400.

Application Procedure

To apply for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences at Trinity as a first-year student, candidates must:

1. Complete the application form and return it to the Office of Admissions with the non-refundable application fee of $40 (fee waived for prospective students who visit campus).
2. Submit a personal statement (see application for topic).
3. Send a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor.
4. Request a copy of the applicant's official high school transcript to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
5. Request official score reports of either the SAT or ACT to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Trinity's code for the SAT is 5796 and its code for the ACT is 0696.
6. All materials should be sent to:

   Office of Admissions
   Trinity Washington University
   125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
   Washington, DC 20017

Applications for admission to Trinity are considered on a rolling basis. Priority for admission and scholarships is given to students who complete their applications by the piority deadline of February 1 for the Fall term.  All others are encouraged to submit their application no later than March 15 for the Fall term, and November 1 for the Spring term. Candidates will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of all required credentials. If additional information is required, candidates for admission will be notified promptly.

All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.

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Application Requirements and Procedures for Transfer Students

Transfer Admission Requirements
Application Procedure
Transferable Credit

Transfer Admission Requirements

A candidate who has attended an accredited college or university after graduation from high school or receipt of a GED must apply to the College of Arts and Sciences as a transfer student. Applications for admission to Trinity are considered on a rolling basis. Candidates will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of all required credentials. If additional information is required, candidates for admission will be notified promptly.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus and arrange for an interview with an admissions representative. Prospective transfer students should call the Office of Admissions at 800/492-6882 or 202/884-9400 for an appointment to visit the campus.

Application Procedure

To apply for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences as a transfer student, applicants must:

1. Complete the application form and return it to the Office of Admissions with the non-refundable application fee of $40 (fee is waived for prospective students who visit campus).
2. Submit a personal statement (see application for topic).
3. Send a letter of recommendation from a professor or faculty advisor at the last institution attended.
4. Request a copy of the applicant's official transcripts of all credits earned from each previously attended institution. These transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. If the applicant has less than 24 transferable college credits, she must also submit a high school transcript.
5. It is recommended that the applicant send official SAT or ACT scores if she has been out of high school for less than two years.
6. All materials should be sent to:

   Office of Admissions
   Trinity Washington University
   125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
   Washington, DC 20017

Transfer Credits Satisfying Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Requirements

Courses eligible for transfer must meet the following requirements:

• The course must have been completed at an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning.
• Courses taken as either Pass/No-Pass or Credit/Non-Credit are not eligible for transfer to Trinity.
• Courses that have been audited are not eligible for transfer to Trinity.
• For transfer to undergraduate programs, the course must have been completed with a final grade of "C" or better, although certain academic programs require higher grades to count toward major or minor requirements. Transfer courses taken at the undergraduate level must be applicable to Trinity's liberal arts curricula. However, transfer credits may be approved to satisfy the requirements of the major or minor field(s) as determined by the appropriate Program Chair(s).
• For transfer to graduate programs, the course must have been completed with a final grade of "B" or better, must have been taken at the graduate-level, and must have been completed no longer than five years prior to the date of matriculation in the degree program. Additionally, requests for transfer credit must be relevant to the degree sought and must be approved by the student's faculty advisor.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for Non-degree Students

Individuals interested in taking courses at Trinity on a part-time basis without matriculating may apply as non-degree students. They may be eligible to take undergraduate courses providing they have a high school diploma from an accredited institution. Those interested must complete an application for non-degree student status with the Office of Admissions and pay the $40 application fee.

Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only, and students must satisfy all prerequisite for courses.  Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. A non-degree student may apply for status as a degree student according to the applicable admissions policy. No more than nine undergraduate credit hours earned as a non-degree student may be applied toward the degree. No additional course work may be undertaken prior to acceptance into a degree program at Trinity.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for International Students

International applicants must submit all credentials for admission as first-year, transfer, or non-degree students listed above. T The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documents:

• An application form, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of US$40.00, payable to Trinity (the application fee is waived for those who visit campus).
• A copy of the applicant’s official high school or college/university transcript. Transcripts must be translated into English and evaluated by an accredited agency such as the World Education Services, Inc. - www.wes.org or the American Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers - www.aacrao.org/credential/
• A letter of recommendation from an instructor or supervisor from a previous secondary school, college/university, or workplace, supporting the application for admission.
• Official TOEFL score reports must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam or 213 on the computer-based exam or 79-80 on the internet exam is required.) 
• Proof of financial responsibility, such as a Declaration/Certificate of Finances or an official bank statement for the first year of study.
• A 250 - 500 word essay, written in English. (The applicant may choose to write about his/her future ambitions, goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets him/her apart from peers, or a significant professional or community experience.)

Trinity will issue the form I-20 (for the F-1 / Student Visa) to applicants who:

• Are admitted to Trinity.
• Are proficient in the English language.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year.

Deadlines: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.

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Additional Information for All Full-time Students

Confirmation Deposits for College of Arts and Sciences
Accident and Health Insurance

Confirmation Deposits for College of Arts and Sciences

Upon acceptance to Trinity, students who wish to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences must submit a confirmation deposit.

For residential students, the total deposit is $200, $100 of which is applied toward tuition charges. The remaining $100 is a security deposit to be refunded less damage fees or other charges when the residence hall is vacated. For commuter students not living in a Trinity residence hall, the deposit is $100, which is applied toward tuition charges.

Accepted students who intend to enroll should pay the confirmation deposit by May 1. The deposit is not refundable after May 1. Students admitted after May 1 should make the confirmation deposit within two weeks of admission.

Accident and Health Insurance

All full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences are covered by the mandatory school-sponsored health insurance plan. A brochure describing the student health insurance plan offered through the University is mailed each year to new students; it also may be obtained from Trinity's Health Services. Part-time students in the College of Arts and Sciences may enroll in the plan as well by logging on to studentresources.com.

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