Admission to Bluffton University is gained through the admissions office, which acts on behalf of the faculty. Admission may be granted to first-year students, transfers, special and transient students and, on a limited basis, to current high school students through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program.
All candidates for admission to the university upon applying do agree to uphold the standards of campus conduct.
University statement of nondiscrimination
Bluffton University admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, regardless of gender or handicap, to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the institution. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or handicap in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.
Admission procedures
Application materials are available from the Bluffton University Admissions Office and on the university Web site. Application should be made late in the junior year or early in the senior year. The deadline for submitting the application is two weeks prior to the intended date of enrollment (semesters begin in August and January).
After obtaining the necessary forms, the applicant should do the following:
Because Bluffton University operates on a rolling admissions plan, the admissions office will make the decision on admission and notify the applicant soon after receiving all of the above items. Students are encouraged to apply early.
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Following graduation from high school, final transcripts must be sent to Bluffton prior to actual enrollment.
When accepted, a student will be sent a medical history form. This form must be completed and returned to the university prior to enrollment.
Home school policy
Bluffton University welcomes applications from home school students. In addition to standardized test scores such as the ACT or SAT and a transcript of courses, a personal interview is required. A reading list and writing sample also may be requested. Contact the admissions office for more information.
College credit for high school students
Bluffton University participates in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option of Ohio Bill 140. This program allows a limited number of high school students to enroll in college courses and receive both college and high school credit. Contact the admissions office for details on application and admission requirements.
Advanced placement
The advanced placement program of the college entrance examination board was developed to give recognition to applicants who take college-level courses in secondary school. Thus, some students may be excused from certain college requirements by satisfactorily passing the advanced placement examination in American history, European history, biology, chemistry and mathematics.
Credit and waiver will be issued to applicants who earn a score of four or five on any of these examinations. Credit and/or waiver may be issued for a score of three upon recommendation of the department concerned and/or the dean of academic affairs.
Requirements for first-year students
In determining eligibility for admission, Bluffton will carefully consider whether each applicant individually has the proper background for study at a liberal arts university.
Criteria will include high school academic standing, the subjects taken, participation in co-curricular activities, moral character, purpose for college study, counselor and teacher recommendations, and ACT/SAT scores. Requirements for admission to the first-year class are the following:
Requirements for transfer students
A student who plans to transfer to Bluffton University from another college or university must submit the following:
Full credit will normally be given for all courses completed at any other regionally accredited college or university in which the applicant has earned a grade of C- or better and which are comparable in content to courses offered at Bluffton.
Admission preference is given to applicants who have maintained a C average or better in all college-level work. Students who have been dismissed from another college or university for academic or disciplinary reasons are not eligible for admission to Bluffton University until they are also eligible for admission to the previous institution. Applicants must have met all financial obligations at the former institution.
An accepted applicant who has graduated from an accredited two-year institution of higher learning with an associate in arts degree will be admitted with first-term junior standing.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
Bluffton University has articulation agreements with James A. Rhodes State College, Northwest State Community College, Edison Community College, Owens Community College and Hesston College whereby students with an associate of arts or associate of science degree in appropriate majors can finish baccalaureate degrees. Students will normally need the equivalent of two additional years to complete the bachelor of arts degree. Hesston College students with associate of arts or associate of science degrees are assured junior standing and have met all lower level general education requirements. Students interested in transferring should contact Sue Van Eman in the admissions office.
Requirements for special or transient students
Individuals who are not candidates for a degree may be admitted as special or unclassified students and allowed to take courses on a part-time or full-time basis. Applications may be requested from the admissions office.
Requirements for readmission
Bluffton University students who have not been enrolled for one or more registration periods must apply for readmission to the university. The application form is available from the admissions office. A new medical form is required of students not enrolled for more than two years prior to readmission.
The factors considered in readmission include those used in the initial admission decision. The decision will be made by the admissions office, which may consult the administrative officers and/or the Admissions and Scholarship Committee in cases where readmission is questionable.
Students who have outstanding bills will not be readmitted until those obligations are met.
