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Requirements for Undergraduate Admission

Christian Brothers University admits students of any race, age, color, sex, religion, and national or ethnic origin.

First-Year Students:

While the Admissions Committee gives primary consideration to academic achievement and potential for collegiate success, talent in art and co-curricular activities enhances a student’s application. The University strongly encourages all prospective students consider visiting through a variety of opportunities such as Preview Days, Open House, campus tours or personal visits. This allows the applicant to view the campus and meet with an admissions counselor. Applicants may seek admission in either the fall (August) or the spring (January) semester.

Christian Brothers University is a rolling admission institution, which means that application review will occur in the order in which the application is received. Christian Brothers University is a member of the Common Application which is available at www.commonapp.org.

Students interested in applying to Christian Brothers University will have taken advantage of an enriched academic experience during their respective high school experience. Participation in more rigorous curriculum although not required, is strongly encouraged and would include any enriched, accelerated or advance placement coursework. Required course of study for first-year admission includes four years of high school English and Mathematics, three years of Science and Social Studies and two years of Foreign Language.  For students applying to the Gadomski School of Engineering, four years of Mathematics and Science (with preference given to laboratory sciences) are required for students applying to these majors.

The University welcomes those who believe in making a difference in their community. Utilizing the application essay and letters of recommendations are tools for interested students to showcase an array of talents and passions demonstrated throughout their respective high school experience. Minimum one letter(s) of recommendation from either a teacher or school counselor are required as well as a personal statement or writing sample in assisting with a holistic application review process.

At this time, Christian Brothers is a test-optional institution and no longer requires the ACT or SAT scores for admission consideration. If the applicant chooses to include ACT or SAT results, tests scores must be included on the official high school transcript or sent directly from the ACT or College Board.

Admitted first-year students choosing to enroll must submit an enrollment deposit by May 1st followed by an official, final high school transcript after graduation.

The following qualifications are required of those seeking admission with regular first-year student standing:

  1. Graduation from an approved secondary school.
  2. A scholastic average of at least “C” and preferably rank in the upper 2/3 of the graduating class.
  3. CBU is a test optional institution. Students may choose to have their ACT/SAT scores considered for admission.

Homeschool Students: The following qualifications are required for homeschooled students seeking admission to CBU.

  1. Graduation from secondary school.
  2. A scholastic average of at least a “C”.
  3. Satisfactory scores on the American College Testing Program (ACT) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination.
  4. Course descriptions and listing of curriculum strongly preferred.

Transfer Students: Students who wish to transfer from other colleges will be considered if they are in good standing at the college of last attendance. Transfer students are defined as:

• having earned 23 or fewer hours of college work since high school graduation*, or
• having earned or is in progress with 24 or more semester hours at another institution.
 *Students who have earned 23 hours or fewer of college credits after high school graduation must also provide a final high school transcript along with ACT or SAT scores.

 (See transfer of credit from other institutions.)

International Students: International Students who intend to enter the University must have the equivalent of a high school education and have sufficient command of English to enable them to do the prescribed work. Proof of English proficiency may be shown by means of the TOEFL , IELTS, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, Duolingo English Test or the Pearson Test for English (PTE) exam. Minimum scores are TOEFL (520 for the paper version; 185 for the computer-based test; or 68 for the internet-based test); or IELTS (6.0); or C1 Advanced grade of C; or C2 Proficiency grade of C; or Duolingo English Test score of 100; or Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 50. Students may use the SAT Critical Reading test prior to March 2016 with a score of at least 450, SAT Reading test after March 2016 with a score of 25, or the ACT English sub score of 21. Students graduating from a U.S. high school or students who have earned a 2.5 or greater in at least 30 semester hours of a U.S. regionally accredited college will also show proof of English proficiency. Credit evaluations will be based on NACES evaluation.

Adult Students: Students may seek admission to the traditional program or the Global College. For admissions requirements for the Global College, refer to that section of the catalog.

Special Students (non-degree seeking): Qualified applicants who desire to take one or more courses but in general do not intend to earn a degree at Christian Brothers University may be accepted as Special students. Application for admission should be made to the Office of Admissions or the Dean of the Global College. Special students may accumulate no more than 36 semester hours of credit at Christian Brothers University. Special students will not be able to have any transfer credit, including challenge exams, granted while classified as special students. Special and Transient students are not eligible for financial aid.

In exceptional circumstances, the Admissions Committee may invite a candidate who does not qualify for degree status to enter the University as a Special Student (non-degree seeking) for a limited period of time. In this time, the student must demonstrate adequate preparation and motivation to pursue the degree program of studies for which he/she has applied.

To seek a change of status to that of a degree-seeking student, a Special student must have completed at least 12 hours of credit at the University and be in good academic standing.

Qualified Special students who wish to pursue a degree must reapply to the Day or Global College programs for a change of status after they have demonstrated their qualifications. Students who are enrolled at another institution and wish to take a course or courses for credit at Christian Brothers University should present official correspondence from that institution to the Office of Admissions or the Global College noting good standing and authorization to enroll in specific courses.

Dual Enrollment Students: Christian Brothers University participates in the Tennessee Dual Enrollment program. This program partially funds high school students’ study at eligible postsecondary institutions. Participating students receive college credit and can receive credit toward high school graduation. Students remain enrolled at their current high school and are also enrolled at CBU as a special part time student.

To be eligible to participate in Dual Enrollment you must:

  1. Be a rising junior or senior.
  2. Meet the minimum GPA standard.
  3. Enroll in 100 and 200 level courses.
  4. Maintain the minimum grade point requirement of 2.75 in the college coursework (which means the student must achieve a grade of A or B in the course(s) attempted). If the minimum grade point is not achieved, the student will no longer be able to participate in the dual enrollment program.

Admissions Committee: A limited number of entering first-year students and transfer students who do not meet the minimum requirements for regular admission may be considered by the Admissions Committee for entrance into the University. If a student is accepted by the Admissions Committee, he/she maybe admitted under one of the following conditions:

  1. Accepted with a limitation on the number of hours and/or specific courses that may be attempted during the first semester or two evening terms or
  2. Accepted as a student as a General Studies major.

The decision of the Admissions Committee may be appealed to the Academic Vice President upon the initiation of the Director of Admissions.