Navigating Admissions at Aurora University: A Comprehensive Guide

Aurora University, with its acceptance rate of 80.85%, presents a lightly selective admissions process. This means that while a significant portion of applicants are admitted, it's still crucial to meet the university's expectations. This article breaks down the key admission requirements for prospective students.

Admission Requirements for Entering Freshmen

Entering freshmen, defined as students with fewer than 15 semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours of college work post-high school, are evaluated based on several criteria:

High School Graduation: Graduation from an accredited high school with a college-preparatory curriculum or a GED certificate is expected. Aurora University specifies a college preparatory curriculum as totaling at least 16 academic units, including:
- English: 4 years
- Mathematics: 3 years
- Social Studies: 3 years
- Science: 3 years
- Electives: 3 years
Standardized Test Scores (Optional): Aurora University has a test-optional admission policy. Students can choose whether or not to submit ACT or SAT scores. If a student chooses to be reviewed as test-optional, their admission and scholarship (if applicable) will be based on their academic record.
- ACT: An ACT composite score of at least 19 was previously considered.
- SAT: Equivalent combined SAT scores (Math and Critical Reading) were also considered.
Transcripts: Official transcripts of all high school and previous college work must be provided. Final official high school transcripts, documenting date of graduation should be submitted to the Office of Admission and Financial Aid prior to the beginning of the student’s first semester of classes. Final official high school transcripts must be submitted prior to the end of the student’s first semester of classes, or financial aid may not be disbursed and/or a hold may be placed on future registration.

GPA Expectations for Freshmen

While Aurora University doesn't explicitly state a minimum GPA requirement, the GPA ranges of admitted students provide valuable insight:

3.75+: 42.5%
3.50-3.74: 16.5%
3.25-3.49: 15.4%
3.00-3.24: 13.3%
2.50-2.99: 11%
2.00-2.49: 1.2%
Below 2.00: Less than 1%

This data suggests that a GPA of 3.0 or higher significantly increases your chances of admission. A mix of A's and B's, with very few C's, is generally expected. Taking harder courses like AP or IB classes can compensate for a slightly lower GPA.

Test-Optional Policy Explained

Aurora University's test-optional policy allows students to choose whether or not to submit their SAT or ACT scores. While the university doesn't explicitly require these scores, it's important to understand the implications of this decision. If you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Even with a test-optional policy, most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Aurora University will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students.

Read also: AU Bookstore Information

Understanding SAT and ACT Scores (If Submitted)

Even though Aurora University is test-flexible, understanding the typical score ranges can be helpful if you choose to submit your scores.The 25th percentile SAT score is 900, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1160. The average ACT score at Aurora University is 26. The 25th percentile ACT score is 21, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 29.

Admission with Conditions

The Vice President for Enrollment, or designee, may grant admission with conditions to applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements but demonstrate potential for academic success. This special consideration is based on one or a combination of the following factors:

Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) that indicate a potential for academic success at Aurora University.
Previous high school academic success (i.e., grade point average and class rank) that indicate a potential for academic success at Aurora University.
Two references from teachers who can speak of the applicant’s potential for success in college. It is preferred that one of these references be written by a current or former English teacher.
A personal interview with the Vice President for Enrollment or designee.
A detailed, written, personal statement by the applicant to the Vice President for Enrollment explaining the applicant’s previous academic performance, his/her academic/career goals and his/her interest in Aurora University.
Other pertinent information that the Office of Admission deems sufficient and appropriate to warrant an admission decision.
Any combination of the above upon which the Vice President for Enrollment, or designee, may deem sufficient and appropriate to warrant an admission decision.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Any applicant for undergraduate admission, who has completed at least 15 semester hours of transferable college coursework from a regionally accredited college or university after high school, will be considered a transfer student. Applicants with less than 30 semester hours of transferable college coursework may be required to meet the academic qualifications for freshman applicants and provide official high school transcripts with proof of graduation and ACT/SAT test scores. All transfer applicants must present proof of graduation or satisfactory completion of the GED if not evident from college transcripts. Students who have been enrolled in high school and have concurrently taken college courses should check with an admission representative about their entry status. The Vice President for Enrollment or a designate may grant full approval for admission to transfer applicants based upon the following criteria: The student was in good academic standing at the college or university last attended and whose overall college record yields a GPA of at least 2.4 on a 4.0 scale for coursework that could normally be considered applicable to degree programs at Aurora University. Individual programs may set stricter admission requirements, including requirements for proficiency in written and/or spoken English subject to the approval of the Chief Academic Officer.

The Vice President for Enrollment, or designee, may admit an applicant for admission to Aurora University on academic warning if the applicant was on academic probation or had been dismissed from a college or university previously attended or whose overall college record yields a GPA of less than a 2.4 on a 4.0 scale for coursework that could normally be considered applicable to degree programs at Aurora University. The criteria upon which a transfer applicant may be approved for admission on warning will be identical to the criteria used in consideration of conditional freshmen applicants, as noted above. Admission to programs with approved standards of their own is to be governed by the standards of those programs. Any student who has been dismissed from another college or university must attend a community college for at least two semesters (not including summer) prior to being considered for admission.

Program-Specific Admission: Nursing (BSN)

Aurora University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. Direct admission to the School of Nursing is offered to qualified incoming freshmen who have declared nursing as their intended major prior to enrolling at Aurora University. Direct admit students who have met the progression standards will remain nursing students in good academic standing in the BSN program. There is a competitive, program-specific admission process for a limited number of seats in the BSN program for transfer students. All nursing prerequisite courses taken must be completed with a “C” or better prior to starting the professional phase of the BSN degree program. Courses taken after provisional admission and prior to the beginning of the 3000-level nursing courses must be completed with a “C” or better. Students are required to have successfully completed 60 semester hours (SH) prior to entering the 3000-level nursing courses. Nursing progression policies for the NUR3000 and NUR4000 courses are detailed in the annual School of Nursing Baccalaureate Student Handbook.

Read also: Hub of Activity: Alumni Hall

Program-Specific Admission: Master of Social Work (MSW)

Candidates for the Master of Social Work program benefit from a rolling admission policy. There is no application deadline, but students are encouraged to complete their admission file in a timely manner. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited liberal arts institution with an average GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and submit a personal statement. The George Williams School of Social Work at Aurora University empowers students through a holistic and transformative education. Our inclusive learning community works to prepare social workers to competently build justice and systematic change for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities while guiding students toward professional engagement.

MS in Athletic Training Program

Aurora University guarantees seats in our MS in Athletic Training Program for students from our partnering institutions. University of St. By majoring in Exercise Science, you can apply to the MS in Athletic Training program during your junior year. Once admitted, you will begin master’s-level coursework your senior year and graduate with a BS in Exercise Science after four years. All students (3+2 and 2-year program) must satisfy university graduate degree requirements including academic standards, to continue in and graduate from the degree program. Students must also sign and return the Technical Standards Form, acknowledging that they can meet the standards without accommodations. The MS in Athletic Training program faculty will work with the Disability Resource Office to consider and implement accommodations when appropriate. The Technical Standards will be provided once students are accepted into the program as well as the Policies and Procedures Handbook.

Read also: Paying for Aurora University

tags: #aurora #university #admission #requirements #gpa