When To Apply
We strongly encourage prospective students to apply and send the needed documents as EARLY as possible to the Admissions Office. If you are applying for the fall or spring semesters, it is recommended you apply no later than one month before the first day of fall or spring classes and two weeks prior for summer terms. (See the academic calendar for specific dates).
Secondary School Preparation
Most students accepted for admission to WNMU have graduated from high school and have taken a college preparatory curriculum. It is recommended that high school students complete at least four units of English, three units of social studies (including U.S. History), two units of science, and three units of mathematics. Those who plan to enter the fields of pre-engineering, pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry, the sciences, or business administration are advised to include in their preparation at least intermediate algebra and plane geometry.
Experience has shown that students who have below a C average in high school are likely to experience difficulty with university-level work. Students who have not completed all the admissions requirements are admitted conditionally. Students who have not completed admission files during their first term of enrollment will not be allowed to register for any subsequent semester. WNMU reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant for scholastic or other reasons which have been deemed by WNMU authorities as sufficient and proper.
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
Regular Admission
First Time Any College
High school graduates or GED holders may be granted regular admission by completing the WNMU application and providing appropriate documentation of one of the following:
1) COMPASS Placement Exam; or
2) Achievement of an ACT sub-score of 21 or better (or SAT equivalent of 500) in math, English and social science. The ACT/SAT must have been taken in the past five years; or
3) Completion of the COMPASS placement exam in corresponding areas where the a sub-score was less than 21/500;
Applicants must submit official high school transcript showing graduation completion or official GED certificate to the WNMU Admissions Office and complete admissions/placement requirements listed above to earn final admission.
Students who have not completed admissions requirements may be admitted conditionally for one semester only. Students on conditional admission are ineligible for financial aid and participation in intercollegiate athletics.
Transfer Students
Regular admission for transfer students requires the student to be in good standing at the institution from which s/he is transferring. Transfer students may be granted regular admission be completing the WNMU application form and providing appropriate documentation of one of the following:
1) COMPASS Placement exam; or
2) Submission of a transcript showing completion of a college level writing and/or mathematics courses with a grade of C or better; or
3) Achievement of an ACT sub-score of 21 or better (or SAT equivalent of 500) in math, English and social science. The ACT/SAT must have been taken in the past five years; or
4) Submission of a transcript showing completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution recognized by CHEA (Council of Higher Education Accreditation).
All transfer applicants who have completed less than 24 hours must submit official high school transcript or official GED certificate; and
All transfer applicants must submit official transcripts to the Admissions Office from each institution previously attended to earn final admission.
Students who have not completed admissions requirements may be admitted conditionally for one semester only. Students on conditional admission are ineligible for financial aid and participation in intercollegiate athletics.
Transfer students must contact the Academic Support Center for evaluation of transfer work. Evaluation of transferable courses will not be completed until the student has supplied the Admissions Office with all documents necessary to complete admission requirement.
Probationary Admission
A transfer student who is on academic probation from the last institution attended will remain on academic probation at WNMU or if the student’s combined cumulative transfer GPA falls below WNMU’s acceptable standards. (see sliding scale page 47)
A transfer student who has been suspended from another institution is not eligible for admission until s/he has served the required suspension period of that institution.
COMPASS Placement Testing
Placement methods include the use of one of the following: (1) a comprehensive review of the student’s past records including ACT test cores, appropriate CLEP scores or Advance Placement Scores, and college transcripts; or (2) completion of all or part of the COMPASS test.
Completion of the COMPASS placement exam in corresponding areas where the sub-score was less than ACT sub-score of 21 or SAT 500. The ACT/SAT must have been taken in the past five years.
Students who have a 31 ACT sub-score; appropriate CLEP or Advance Placement Scores can receive credit for an equivalent college level course.
Transfer students who have not completed a college level writing and mathematics course with a C or better and who have an ACT sub-score of 21 or better in a relevant area are also required to take the COMPASS examination for placement into the appropriate course or courses. Placement exam scores are used in initial advising and registration.
Students who score below college proficiency levels on the COMPASS in writing, reading, and/or mathematics must take the appropriate development (review) courses beginning their first semester and each semester thereafter until they reach college level competency. Students may enroll in classes meeting certificate and degree requirements at the same time that they are completing their developmental courses. If the developmental courses is a prerequisite, it must be completed before enrolling in a higher level course.
Compass Placement Testing Waivers
Each student enrolling at WNMU must be assessed in basic skills in English, mathematics, and reading unless s/he meets one of the following criteria for a waiver:
• Submission of transcript showing completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution recognized by CHEA (Council of Higher Education Accreditation).
• Achievement of an ACT sub-score or 21 or better (or SAT equivalent of 500) in math, English and social science. The ACT/SAT must have been taken in the past five years.
• Submission of a transcript showing completion of college level writing and/or mathematics courses with a grade of C or better.
• Enrollment for the purpose of employment related in-service or upgrading of employment skills as a non-degree Special Student.
• Enrollment in nine or fewer hours for personal enrichment as a non-degree bound Special Student.
• Enrollment in courses exempt from placement testing (a list is available at the admissions, registrars, and academic advisors offices).
• Permission of the department chair to enroll as a concurrent student in a course offered by that department.
Students who initially enroll in courses fro personal enrichment or job upgrading and who have not participated in a placement program must do so before enrolling in a certificate or degree program unless they meet a second criterion above.
Readmission
A student wishing to be readmitted to WNMU must complete the Application for Readmission form, available at the Admissions Office, and any other necessary requirements as directed by that office.
Any student who has attended other colleges or universities prior to application for readmission to WNMU must submit complete academic transcripts from those institutions to the Admissions Office as part of the application procedure. Students should be prepared to provide the Admissions Office with a copy of each institution’s catalog to match the transcripts.
Late Application for Admission
WNMU reserves the right to deny registration to any student who is late in applying for admission. A student who is permitted to register without having completed all of the steps for admission does so at his/her own risk, and may be required to withdraw and be subject to the standard refund policies of WNMU.
Special Admission
Students desiring to be admitted to WNMU who cannot fulfill the usual requirements will be considered for admission based on the following conditions:
1. Admission by Examination (GED): WNMU follows the guidelines established by the New Mexico State Department of Education concerning the Tests of General Education Development (GED). Students who have not graduated from high school may be admitted on the basis of satisfactory scores on the GED, administered by the State Department of Education. Information on the test may be obtained from the Department or from a local high school. The GED is also administered on the WNMU campus. Arrangements to take the test on campus may be made through the Student Development Center. Classes in GED preparation are offered through Adult Educational Services. It is WNMU policy that a student must be at least 17 years of age or his/her class must have graduated from high school before the student may be granted admission on the basis of the GED.
2. Special Student: A student may be admitted to WNMU to take those courses which are of interest to him/her without meeting the high school graduation requirements. A student with this classification enters with the understanding that courses pursued will not count toward a degree until the entrance requirements for the degree-bound student have been completed. The student must contact the Director of Admissions concerning these requirements and procedures for a change of status from special student to degree-bound student. Such a student is subject to course prerequisites. There is a nine credit hour per semester hour limit and no financial aid for Special Students. Special Students must have permission of the instructor to register or before advisement and registration, the COMPASS placement test must be completed. A list of courses exempt from the COMPASS placement test is available in the Admissions Office, Registrar’s Office, and the Academic Support Center.
3. Concurrent Enrollment: High school juniors and seniors may enroll part-time at WNMU while they are completing secondary school. Students, under 17, must have permission from their school system even if they are not attending high school. A student must be recommended by his or her counselor and principal for the program. High school juniors and seniors seeking concurrent enrollment should write to the Director of Admissions for information and the procedures to be followed. Approval of concurrent enrollment by the Director of Admissions is required for final admission. A placement waiver may be granted if the student has permission from the department chair to enroll as a concurrent student in a course offered by that department.
Advanced Standing
Students who present transcripts from accredited colleges and universities may be given credit for such work. Students are expected to meet all degree requirements set forth by WNMU. until official transcripts have been received directly from the records office of each institution previously attended.
WNMU grants admission with advanced standing to exceptionally able students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program in high school. Students entering WNMU may receive advanced standing and college credits when they are certified by the College Entrance Examination Board as having satisfactorily completed appropriate examinations administered by the Educational Testing Service. In addition, examination scores must be reviewed and approved by the WNMU faculty. Students who are interested in the program should write to the College Entrance Examination Board, Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540, while they are in high school.
The general policies of the University as outlined in this bulletin apply to international as well as U.S. students. However, some special policies are necessitated by federal laws which are applicable only to international students.
An international student is any individual attending WNMU who holds an F-1 or M-l non-immigrant visa. Legally admitted immigrants and refugees are not considered international students.
Information and application materials for admission to WNMU as an international student are available from the Admissions Office.
English Proficiency: WNMU requires a score of 550 written or 213 on the computer version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all international students new to WNMU.
Admissions: All application materials, including the application for admission and transcripts or national examination scores and/or transcripts from colleges or universities (with an English translation); all test scores, including the TOEFL; proof of adequate financial support; and health examination form must be on file in the Admissions Office by:
June 1 Fall semester
October 1 Spring semester
Applications not processed by the deadlines noted above will be processed for the subsequent semester.
International students are required to show proof of adequate health insurance or arrange to purchase such insurance. The policy must include emergency evacuation or repatriation to their home country.
International students wishing to receive credit for courses taken at accredited institutions of post-secondary education outside the U.S. must provide WNMU with original transcripts translated into English and evaluated by an independent credentials evaluator.
New Mexico Residency for Tuition Purposes
A student is classified as a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes based on information supplied on the application at the time of admission. The residence classification is only changed upon re-application for admission or submission of a petition for New Mexico residency. Non-resident students who believe they have satisfied requirements for establishing New Mexico residency may file a petition in the Admissions Office. No petitions will be accepted after the first day of classes. No petitions will be approved unless all requirements for residency are met before census date.
Each person must meet the requirements individually. To become a legal resident of New Mexico, four basic requirements must be satisfied.
1. The Twelve Month Consecutive Residence Requirement: A student must physically reside in New Mexico for the twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the semester for which the petition is submitted.
NOTE: A student whose parents or guardians reside out-of-state cannot begin to complete the twelve-month requirement until after their 18th birthday.
2. The Financial Independence Requirement: A student cannot be approved for residency if he/she is financially dependent upon parents or legal guardian who are not residents of New Mexico. At the time the student applies for residency (if under 23 years of age), a copy of his/her parents’ or guardian’s 1040 or 1040A U.S. income tax for the previous year must be submitted with the application. If the student is shown to be a dependent on this tax form, he/she will not be eligible for residency.
3. The Written Declaration of Intent Requirement: The student must sign a written declaration of intent to relinquish residency in another state and to establish it in New Mexico.
4. The Overt Act Requirement: Residency regulations require the completion of several overt acts which support the student’s declaration of intent to become a permanent resident. Examples of such acts are securing a New Mexico driver’s license or automobile registration, registering to vote in New Mexico, filing a New Mexico state tax return for the previous year, securing full-time employment, purchasing residential or business property, or having a long-established bank account in New Mexico. Other relevant factors may be considered along with those listed above.
Other Residency Regulations
The following are general policy statements under the regulations for New Mexico residence.
- All students are charged resident tuition rates during summer sessions.
- All students enrolled for 6 credit hours or fewer (part-time students) during fall and spring semesters are charged resident tuition rates.
- Active-duty members of the armed forces stationed in New Mexico and their dependents are eligible to enroll at WNMU and pay tuition at the resident rate. Re-certification must be made each semester the student is enrolled.
- Non-residents are eligible to apply for residency status after living in New Mexico for 12 consecutive months and satisfying other requirements for establishing residency.
- Students under 18 years of age and students financially dependent upon parents or guardian will be considered to have the same residency as the parents or guardian.
- Spouses and their dependents who move to New Mexico to work full-time, practice a profession, or conduct a business full-time (and who can provide appropriate evidence), or marry a New Mexico resident, are not required to complete the Twelve Month Residence requirement before applying for resident status.
- Students between the ages of 19 and 23 must submit a copy of their parents’ or guardian’s 1040 or 1040A U.S. income tax form for the previous year with their application for residency.
Residence requirements are mandated by the Commission on Higher Education and are subject to change.
Procedures and a brochure explaining all requirements for establishing New Mexico residency for tuition purposes are available at the Admissions Office.
For more information about Residency contact the Director of Admissions.