Admissions

Candidates for admission to the University of New England may be surprised to discover that we spend as much time and effort helping them evaluate the University as we do in evaluating their credentials. We are interested in establishing a good match between the applicant’s needs and goals and the University’s ability to meet them.

Campus Tours and Information Sessions

Prospective students, their friends, and their families have an open invitation to visit UNE. The pleasant drive to scenic Maine and the opportunity to meet students and admissions professional staff result in a day that is interesting and informative.

Biddeford Campus tours and information sessions may be scheduled by contacting the Admissions Office, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Prospective students are encouraged to visit on a weekday if possible. Daily tours and information sessions are offered during the school year, during school breaks, and throughout the summer multiple times during the day. Saturday tours with information sessions are offered on the Biddeford campus during the fall and spring semesters. Please call in advance at 1-(800) 477-4863. You can also register online from our Undergraduate Admissions website.

Admissions Criteria

To determine a first-year applicant’s qualifications as a candidate for admission to the undergraduate programs of the University of New England, we carefully consider many different criteria.

UNE does not require submission of ACT/SAT scores to apply for undergraduate admission, with the following exceptions where students can apply test optional:

• Applicants for the Nursing program
• Applicants for Medical Biology/ Dental Medicine 3+4.
• Homeschooled applicants
• Applicants with unweighted GPAs less than 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
• Applicants with narrative or non-letter grade transcripts
• Some International Applicants

The above applicants can submit official standardized test scores as part of their test-optional application to UNE. For more information about the test blind and test-optional policies please see https://www.une.edu/admissions/testpolicy.

Students applying for undergraduate admission are required to submit a completed application, an official secondary school transcript, and a $40 application fee. We also highly recommend students submit the following:

• Extracurricular involvement
• The essay or personal statement
• The two (2) recommendations
• Qualified students with equivalency certificates are also considered for admission

The University of New England supports the efforts of secondary school officials and governing bodies to have their schools achieve regional accredited status to provide reliable assurance of the quality of the educational preparation of applicants for admission.

Nursing Students

All first-year applicants are required to submit the following:

• A Common Application (www.commonapp.org), Online UNE Application (connect.une.edu) or Coalition Application (www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org) with the $40 application fee
• Official copy of high school transcript, with first-semester senior grades
• (Optional) Official SAT or ACT results

All transfer applicants are required to submit the following:

• A Common Application (www.commonapp.org), Online UNE Application (connect.une.edu), or Coalition Application (www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org) with the $40 application fee
• Official Final High School transcripts, any up-to-date official College/ University transcripts

Students interested in the Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor (A.B.S.N.) Program should apply online using The Centralized Application Service for Nursing Programs (www.nursingcas.org).

Home-Schooled Students

The University of New England welcomes applications from qualified home-schooled students and we review each applicant with careful attention.

UNE requires that students enrolling at UNE have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by their home state law. Please check with your state to make sure you are following their guidelines and send us any necessary supporting materials.

Requirements

Your High School Transcript From Grades 9–12

If you have taken any courses at a school, college, online, or by correspondence, please be sure to have official transcripts sent directly to us. Detailed performance evaluations and materials such as course bibliographies or syllabi are also helpful, but not required.

SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

Home-schooled students have the option to submit official SAT or ACT results if they choose.

Two (2) Letters of Recommendation

At least one (1) letter must be from someone who can assess your academic ability. The second letter may be from someone who can further assess your academic ability and/or level of co-curricular involvement.

Notice of Intent

Before enrollment, we would require a copy of your annual notice of intent from your home state.

Admissions Deadlines

Fall

Early Action: November 15

We offer an Early Action Application deadline for undergraduate applicants who desire early notification of their admission status. Applicants wishing to be considered for Early Action admission will need to submit their completed application by November 15. Students interested in Medical Biology/Dental Medicine 3+4 must apply by November 15th. We highly encourage students interested in Nursing to also apply by the Early Action deadline.

Regular Decision: February 15

Freshman: Freshman applicants wishing to be considered for regular admission must submit their completed application by February 15.

Spring

All applicants wishing to be considered for the spring semester must submit their completed application by January 10.

Enrollment deposit

Once accepted, students are required to submit a $500 deposit for on campus or $300 if living off campus, which will guarantee their place in the entering class. To give accepted students enough time to hear from all colleges to which they have applied and to eliminate any undue pressure that may affect their final decision, the reservation deposit is refundable through May 1 for students entering the fall semester. After this date, the deposit is either credited toward the expense of the first semester’s tuition (and room for residential students) or forfeited for those students withdrawing.

Physical Examination and Immunization

The University requires all entering students to have a physical examination before enrollment. The necessary form and an immunization record will be sent to all entering students following admission and receipt of the reservation fee. The forms must be completed by an approved healthcare provider and returned to the University Health Center before matriculation. Maine State Law requires all students born after 1956, who wish to register and matriculate for seven (7) or more credits, to produce proof of immunization against those diseases listed on the immunization record form. The University of New England requires additional immunizations, over and above state mandates, for health profession students. That information will also be available on the health forms.

Advanced Placement and CLEP

The University of New England participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey. Both of these examinations provide academic credit for students qualified for advanced standing. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) undergraduate programs may accept courses toward graduation via these two (2) types of examinations in accordance with the tables that follow.

To receive academic credit from the University of New England through the CLEP and advanced placement examinations, the student must be admitted to the University, and must provide UNE with official transcripts from the organization(s).

Advanced Placement Equivalencies

Qualifying scores necessary to receive credit for advanced placement are recommended by the academic departments and are approved by the University Registrar. They are treated as transfer credit in accordance with the following table.

If an advanced placement examination has been taken on a subject not listed in the table above, the student should contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@une.edu.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) minimum score standard for each examination, and its UNE equivalent course, is individually determined by the Department in which the course is offered.

If a CLEP examination has been taken on a subject not listed in the table above, the student should contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@une.edu.

DANTES

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs) provide an opportunity for people to obtain college credit for what they have learned in non-traditional ways. The DSST Program is made available by The Chauncey Group International® and is used by adult education programs, the United States Department of Defense, and two (2)- and four (4)-year colleges. Designed originally for the military, DSSTs are also available to civilian students and adult learners. The DSST program is used by colleges and universities to award college credit to those who demonstrate that they have knowledge comparable to someone who completed the classroom course in the subject.

Recommended credits and minimum scores are based on evaluation by qualified individuals in the American Council on Education (ACE). The symbol B signifies credit to be awarded at the bachelor's level; the symbol BU signifies recommended credit at the upper division (third and fourth year) level.

Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE)

The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam minimum score standard for each examination, and its UNE equivalent course, is individually determined by the department in which the course is offered.

International Baccalaureate (IB) and International Examination

To receive academic credit from the University of New England through the IB examinations, the student must be admitted to the University and provide UNE with official IB transcripts.

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

Group 2: Language Acquisition

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

Group 4: Sciences

Group 5: Mathematics

Group 6: The Arts

Credit may be awarded for Advanced Placement examinations, International Baccalaureate HL courses, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams, some foreign diploma programs and/or college-level courses completed while in high school. If students choose to take one (1) or more courses at the University of New England which covers substantially the same material as any of these exams or courses the credit from the transferred course or exam will be forfeited. Students may not receive credit twice for the same material.

International Student Admission

The University of New England (UNE) welcomes applications from students from around the world.

UNE is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security to enroll international students and issue student and/or exchange visitor visa-qualifying documents (I-20/DS-2019). We comply with all regulations of the U.S. Government pertaining to the enrollment and tracking of international students under the SEVIS Program.

At UNE, an international student is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. (holder of a “Green Card”). Prospective international students must meet the same admissions criteria required of all other applicants. In accordance with federal and state law, the University will consider all qualified students for admission, regardless of citizenship status.

Applicants to online programs are not eligible for a student visa.

UNE requires that the student submits ONE (1) of the following tests: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test. However, international students who have attended a regionally accredited U.S. high school or U.S. Department of Defense school overseas for at least three (3) years, or have received an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, will be eligible to apply without standardized test scores (i.e. SAT, ACT, TOEFL, ITELS). Additionally, international students who are taking an IB Curriculum or IB Diploma program are also eligible to apply without standardized test scores.

In some cases, an international student may be required to submit standardized test scores. The following applicants are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores as part of their application to UNE.

• Applicants for the Nursing program
• Applicants for Medical Biology/Pre-Dental Medicine 3+4.
• Homeschooled applicants
• Applicants with unweighted GPAs less than 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
• Applicants with narrative or non-letter grade transcripts

Admissions Requirements For

An international applicant (not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. who will require a visa to study in the U.S.)

or

An applicant with international degrees or coursework (a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. who has been educated outside of the U.S. and will not require a visa to study in the U.S.).

General admissions criteria for the University and its academic programs can be found by accessing the undergraduate or graduate admissions catalogs or the individual program or major.

In addition to the general University admissions criteria, and program-specific criteria, international students must also meet the following:

English Language Proficiency

• International applicants must be able to understand and communicate in English to gain full admission to the University of New England. If English is not your native language, you will need to submit documentation that indicates your level of English proficiency (please see above for testing policy for International applicants.)
• UNE accepts several methods of English proficiency including the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as well as others. If standardized tests are required, students will meet the minimum standards for English proficiency at UNE by demonstrating one of the following:

Additional Methods

• UNE also waives the English proficiency requirement for students who graduated from a regionally accredited school in other English-speaking countries: Anguilla, Antigua/Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica/other West Indies, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caico Isle, United Kingdom, the Virgin Islands, and others.
• Passing scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certification (with submission of photocopy of ECFMG certification to UNE Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions).

Verification of Financial Support

Federal law requires that we document how you will finance your education in the U.S., prior to issuing the appropriate student visa application form. In addition to the application for admission to your program of interest, all international applicants must:

• Upon acceptance, complete the International Student Supplemental Application Form (PDF).
• Submit a Bank Statement indicating that the applicant has sufficient funds in U.S. dollars to cover the annual cost of attendance at UNE. Bank statements must be on letterhead and be officially certified or notarized to be considered acceptable documentation.

International Transcripts

English Translation of Transcript

• Official transcripts from ALL schools attended must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a part of the application process.
• All official scholastic records submitted in support of your application must be in English or include English translations.
• English translations should be literal (word-for-word, not interpretive) translations.
• For specific procedures and admission criteria for each of our academic programs, please check the program website.

Evaluation of Transcripts

• UNE requires all international applicants and all U.S. students with international degrees or coursework to have international transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited institution within the U.S. (Any exceptions to this policy will be noted in specific program admissions requirements.)
• UNE will accept transcript evaluations from any accredited NACES organization (www.naces.org). Evaluations must be for grade and degree equivalency.
• Undergraduate international applicants only may also be permitted to use The Center for Educational Documentation. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for further details.
• International medical school graduates only: If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. you must have the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) submit review and verification of the equivalency of your medical degree to that of one earned at a regionally accredited U.S. medical school. The ECFMG review and verification of the student’s International Medical Degree will be accepted as an official evaluation of the degree.
• Official transcripts from Canadian Medical Schools that are approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) do not require external evaluation. There is joint accreditation between LCME and Canada adding seventeen (17) more schools to the LCME list. Any school on this LCME list can be considered as offering a valid Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Please note: Official transcripts from all schools that the student has attended, U.S. or International, must be submitted to the Office of Admissions as a part of the application process. Concerns regarding your ability to provide official transcripts should be directed to your admissions counselor.

Seek Assistance in Your Home Country

For further assistance with securing official documents and information from your country, please contact your local U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate/Office of Public Affairs for referral to an overseas educational advising center near you, or consult the list available on the U.S. State Department website.

Transfer Admissions

Students applying for transfer admission are required to forward the completed application form and application fee of $40, and official college transcripts of ALL academic work to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. If the student has less than thirty (30) college credits at the time of application the application must also include their secondary school records.

All undergraduate students accepted to the University will be expected to fulfill both the University and program requirements before being awarded a degree from the University of New England. Transfer students will be individually advised by the Undergraduate Admissions Office of all such requirements left outstanding after the evaluation of transfer credit has been completed prior to registration. A transfer student's grade point average (GPA) is based only on grades received at the University of New England.

Transfer students are evaluated on the basis of their collegiate records according to the following guidelines:

• All students who have earned an associate degree in a program of study from an accredited institution that is parallel or related to the academic offerings at the University of New England are eligible for admission to the University. The student could receive credit for all courses therein, up to a total of ninety (90) credits. However, not all of those credits will necessarily apply towards core or degree requirements.
• Students who have earned less than an associate degree will be granted transfer credit for those courses completed at an accredited institution that parallel or relate to courses offered by the University with a grade of C- or higher. Some programs impose even higher grade cutoffs and/or time restrictions on the age of coursework that can be transferred. This information can be found on the individual catalog page related to a program. An exception to this policy will be made for classes taken on a pass/fail basis during Spring 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Any class earning a grade of “Pass” for Spring 2020 will be accepted for transfer. Please note that some graduate programs do not accept pass/fail grades for pre-requisite coursework (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). Any student who aspires to future graduate school study in select disciplines may discover the award of “Pass” does not support their candidacy for admission and might be guided to repeat the course to earn a standard letter grade.
• All eligible students with a grade point average of at least 2.5 will be considered for admission to the University; students with a grade point average below 2.5 are considered on an individual basis.
• Class standing is determined by the University Registrar after enrollment.
• Transfer credit is given for courses graded C- or higher. Some restrictions may apply. Refer to program descriptions for further information.
• Courses previously completed at another regionally accredited college may be transferable to a UNE degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All science/Math courses previously completed must be no older than five (5) years to be transferable. Other options and restrictions may apply.
• While credits may transfer in based on the criteria above, grades and/or grade points do not transfer into the student's UNE academic record. Grades for accepted transfer courses are identified on the UNE transcript with a "TR" symbol in the grade column, which denotes credit accepted but no GPA calculation value.

Note: Matriculated UNE students who wish to have college-level credits transferred back (for coursework taken at institutions away from UNE) must follow policy identified under the Academic Policy section of this catalog.

Veterans

Programs of the University of New England have been approved for persons eligible for Veterans Administration Benefits by the Maine State Approving Agency for Veterans' Education Programs. The University encourages active and retired military, National Guard and reservists, as well as veterans, to become matriculated students. For further information concerning veterans admissions and benefits, please email uneveteranaffairs@une.edu.

Applicants who are requesting Veterans Administration educational benefits are required to have all previous post secondary education and training evaluated for transfer credit.

Applicants with military service should send a copy of an Army/ACE Registry Transcript Service (AARTS) or a SMART (Sailor/ Marine Corps American Council on Education Registry Transcript) to Registration Services for credit evaluation.

More information on veterans benefits is available on the Veteran Education Benefits website.

The UNE Honors College

Each year, a select group of entering students are invited to join the UNE Honors College. These students will be part of the Honors College but also enrolled in one (1) of the three (3) undergraduate degree-granting colleges at UNE. In addition to the enhanced career opportunities that Honors recognition provides the UNE Honors College offers numerous privileges:

• Honors College residential area
• An annual $1,000 Honors College Student Scholarship
• A one-time stipend of up to $2,000 to support costs associated with scholarly endeavors
• Early class registration
• Early move-in

No separate application is required for the UNE Honors College. Each year, the Honors College Admissions Committee will review applications for new first-year students. From that group, a small cohort of high-performing, motivated students will be invited into this highly selective program. The committee will review strength of high school record and extracurricular activities when deciding admission to the Honors College.