General Admissions Information

Temple University

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Conwell Hall, First Floor

1801 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19122

phone: 215-204-7200

toll free: 888-340-2222

fax: 215-204-5694

tuadm@temple.edu

www.temple.edu/undergrad

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions processes all undergraduate applications for admission to all campuses of Temple University. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are usually notified of decisions four to six weeks after receipt of a completed application.

The website to apply online is www.temple.edu/undergrad/applying.html.

Students must submit all application materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the stated deadlines at the undergraduate application website. Applications received after these dates will be considered on a space available basis. The admission application fee is $25.00 for an on-line application and $50.00 for a paper application. The renewal paper application fee is $10.00.

Special Requirements for Admission

The following programs have additional requirements for admission: the College of Health Professions (Nursing and Health Information Management transfers only), Dance, Music, and the Tyler School of Art. Refer to the individual program description for the details on these special requirements. Adult applicants also have special requirements.

Tuition and Residence Hall Deposits

All students admitted to the University must pay a nonrefundable tuition deposit of $150 in order to reserve a place in the incoming class.  In addition, students who wish to live in the residence halls must pay a housing deposit of $250.

Applying for Readmission

For further information, see Academic Policy 02.10.11 at http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=02.10.11.

Also see the Readmission Policy in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of each School or College.  Readmission to Temple University undergraduate programs is through the School or College that you last attended.

Freshmen

Diploma and Required High School Credits

The University requires that students hold a diploma from an accredited high school with the following recommended distribution of courses:

Students are required to have earned a minimum of 16 units in academic subjects from the above chart. Students 18 years of age and older may submit a high school equivalency diploma earned through the General Education Development Test and the high school transcript for all grades completed.

College Entrance Examinations

Temple requires one of the following tests for college entrance:

• Scholastic Aptitude Test of the College Entrance Examination Board, Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540
• American College Test of the American College Testing Program, Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52250

Temple suggests that students take either test in the spring of their junior year, as well as in the fall of their senior year. Results should be forwarded directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. SAT or ACT scores are recommended but not required of applicants 22 years of age or older.

Entering with Academic Credit: Advanced Placement 

Temple awards college credits to students who in high school participated in the Advanced Placement program sponsored by the College Examination Board as follows:

• Art History, Chemistry, English (Language and Literature), History (American, European and World), Latin (Vergil and Literature), Physics, Political Science (Comparative Government and U.S. Government) -- Minimum score of 4
• Other subjects -- Minimum score of 3
• Students who receive the minimum score in the English Advanced Placement test will receive English elective credit, not Composition credit.

Students should have taken these tests in high school and should have their scores sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Transfer students must request Educational Testing Services to send their Advanced Placement Test scores to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, even if they have requested them for a previously attended college.

Advanced Placement equivalencies will be reviewed annually and are subject to change.  Students will receive the equivalency that is in effect at Temple at the time of their matriculation.

If credit is awarded, a student's university record will carry notation of credit, but no grade will be recorded.  Credit awarded will not affect a student's grade-point average at Temple University.

Limitations on credit earned through the Advanced Placement Examinations are as follows:  (1) the credit must be useful in a student's program of study; (2) duplicate credit in the same course is not awarded in any case.

Advanced Placement credits can be counted toward eligibility for the 45+ Transfer Core if the student also has transfer courses from another college or university. 

Placement Testing

Most newly admitted students are required to take placement tests upon admission to Temple. These tests are designed to help assess mastery of certain basic skills, to point out particular strengths and weaknesses, and to assist in designing a program of study for the student. Placement tests are offered in English, Mathematics, and Foreign Languages.

For more information about placement testing, sample questions, and news about changes in placement tests, visit the placement testing page on the Measurement and Research Center website (www.temple.edu/marc/placements.html).

• All incoming freshmen must take Placement Tests prior to their first semester, including English, Mathematics, and Foreign Language (if a student has previously studied a language).
• Transfer students who are transferring a credit-bearing, college-level course in Mathematics/Writing/Foreign Language are not required to take the Mathematics/Writing/Foreign Language Placement Examination. (Please note that certain majors have prerequisites and require placement testing.)

New students receive a booklet (Student Planner) that contains descriptions of the tests and information as to the specific tests the student must take. Students are referred to the New Student Orientation (www.temple.edu/orientation) and MARC (www.temple.edu/marc) websites, which contain descriptions of the tests, helpful hints for the test day, and sample items. The components of the tests, advising guidelines, and retest policies are outlined below.

Demographic Data Survey (25 minutes). This is a personal data collection survey that must be completed by all students. Temple uses the results of this questionnaire to develop programs and procedures to serve the needs and interests of its students.

English Placement Examination (135 minutes). This test is required for all freshmen and for transfer students who are not transferring a credit-bearing, college-level writing course. The English Placement Examination consists of an essay and a multiple choice component. The multiple choice test scores are used in conjunction with the student's SAT verbal score and high school percentile to develop a base score. The essay score and the base score are then combined to determine the appropriate English course placement (English 0701/0711, English 1002/1012, or exempt).

Mathematics Placement Examination (75 minutes). This multiple-choice test is required for all freshmen and for transfer students who are not transferring a credit-bearing, college-level Math course. In addition, any student who is considering taking a higher-level Math course should take the Mathematics Placement Examination.

Advisors have information concerning conditions under which a student may retest.

Foreign Language Placement Examination (60 minutes). This test is required 1) for freshmen who have previously studied a foreign language and 2) for transfer students who have previously studied a foreign language, but are not transferring a credit-bearing, college-level foreign language course. In addition, any student who has previously studied a foreign language and either has questions about his/her readiness to take additional courses in that language, wants to try to qualify to take an upper-level course, or wants to be exempted from additional foreign language requirements should take the Foreign Language Placement Examination.

Tests are offered in French, German, Modern Greek, Italian, and Spanish. Each is a multiple choice test and consists of approximately 90 items. If a student has previously studied another foreign language (other than French, German, Modern Greek, Italian, or Spanish) and wishes to be tested in that language, it may be possible to arrange testing. The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies website (www.temple.edu/vpus/forms/index.htm) has a Foreign Language Waiver Form and Procedures for Applying for a Foreign Language Waiver (Group 2 or Group 3 Languages). 

Students who wish to be tested in a language other than these, or whose first language is not English, should contact their advisor.

Advisors may request that a student retest if there is strong evidence (e.g., good grades in foreign language courses, intensive study abroad, etc.) that the student's test performance was not typical.

Orientation for New Students

Following admission to the University and payment of the tuition deposit, students will receive information regarding their orientation requirements. See the Office of Orientation website at www.temple.edu/orientation/ for further information.

Immunizations

See Student Health and Wellness under Student Services for required immunizations.

Transfer Students

Transfer Admissions

Applicants who wish to be considered for transfer admission must have maintained at least a 2.50 grade point average in 15 or more transferable credits at an accredited two- or four-year institution of higher education for consideration, although this is no guarantee of admission. Temple requires the same high school units of transfer students as of freshmen.

Applicants must submit official transcripts from high schools and each college previously attended. The University defines "official transcript" as that which is sent directly from a high school or college to Temple's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Ordinarily, SAT or ACT scores are not required unless specifically requested by the Admissions Office.

An evaluation showing accepted transfer credits and a list of Temple course equivalencies are sent to students who are admitted. Evaluations are based on the majors students indicate on their applications. The Temple school/college in which they enroll will make the final determination of which transfer credits are applicable to the degree.

Transfer Credit

Temple University accepts all college-level liberal arts courses beyond the developmental level. These courses must have been completed with a grade of C- or better.  Transfer students receive credit from all colleges and universities accredited by the appropriate commission of one of the regional accrediting Associations (Middle States, Northwest, North Central, Southern, Western, and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges). Temple does not award credit for courses from institutions accredited by the Commission on Technical and Career Institutions of the New England Association or from any university, college, school, institute, or program accredited only by a national, professional, or specialized accrediting body. Whenever possible, credit is allowed for courses completed more than 10 years before the date of admission.

Evaluation of transfer credits is based on a student's major, and the student's Temple school/college makes the final determination of which transfer credits are applicable to the student's degree program. Transfer evaluations may change for students who change majors.

To earn a degree from Temple, students must complete at least 30 hours of the last 45 semester hours as a matriculated student at Temple, fulfill all university requirements, and fulfill all of the degree requirements of the Temple college or school in which they are enrolled, as approved by the dean of that school. See Academic Residency in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the Bulletin.

To graduate from Temple with Honors, students must complete at least their last 60 hours toward their degrees in residence as matriculated students at Temple University. See Honors in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the Bulletin.

Advanced Placement and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credits, and courses taken as a non-matriculated student at Temple, are posted on a student's record as transfer credit, but do not always count as transfer credits for determining a student's eligibility for the 45+ Transfer University Core. See 45+ Transfer University Core in the Academic Programs section of the Bulletin.

The number of credits that students can transfer from another institution (two- and four-year) depends on their declared Temple major.

Credit for Academic and Prior Learning Experience

Some schools and colleges at Temple grant limited credit to qualified students for relevant experience in academic, employment, and life situations. See the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the Bulletin for further information.

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Incoming students can also gain credits through the College Level Examination Program tests. See the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the Bulletin for the list of accepted CLEP tests and the Temple course equivalencies.

Dual Admissions

To better encourage and facilitate transfer admission from other colleges to Temple University, Temple and these colleges have established articulation agreements with one another.

Dual Admissions agreements conditionally admit students to Temple at the same time they are admitted to a community college, and provide merit scholarships to Temple for those students. Students at five area community colleges (Bucks County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Community College of Philadelphia, and Harrisburg Area Community College) may enroll in the Dual Admissions program before attaining 30 transferable credits. Students are then conditionally admitted to Temple upon attaining their associate's degrees at the community college.

Program Articulation Agreements

These agreements between Temple schools and/or academic departments and other two-year institutions provide accurate curricular information for prospective transfer students and their academic advisors by lining up associate degree requirements and baccalaureate requirement. They indicate which courses students should take during their associate program in order to be prepared for the Temple baccalaureate program into which they wish to transfer. See Articulation Agreements at www.temple.edu/vpus/ucc/core_transfers.htm for lists of agreements currently in effect.

Transfer Students and the University Core Curriculum

Every Temple undergraduate fulfills the requirements of the University Core Curriculum in some way.

Students entering Temple as freshmen and transfer students with fewer than 45 transfer credits complete the full University Core Curriculum (see University Core Curriculum under the Academic Programs section of the Bulletin).

Transfer students with 45 or more transferable credits satisfy the 45+ Transfer University Core version of the University Core. (See 45+ Transfer University Core under University Core Curriculum in the Academic Programs section of the Bulletin.)

Students with an associate degree approved for Core-to-Core Transfer meet most University Core requirements with the general education courses taken for the associate degree. Associate degrees are approved for Core-to-Core Transfer by two university-wide faculty committees. See Core-to-Core Transfer for information on the policy and a list of approved community college associate degrees.

International Students

An individual is considered an international student if he/she meets either of the conditions described below:

• applicants who hold or will hold a student visa, exchange visa, or any other type of non-immigrant visa
• applicants who are permanent residents, naturalized citizens, or have refugee status in the United States and have not studied in the United States at the secondary or college level

International students who require a visa must complete the International Student Application available on-line or from the Admissions Office. International students are also required to complete a Financial Support Statement as part of the international student application.

Effective April 2002, U.S. federal regulations prohibit individuals in Visitor for Business/Pleasure (B-1/B-2) status from pursuing full-time academic studies at a university or college in the United States and from applying for a change of status from B-1/B-2 to Nonimmigrant Student (F-1) status while they remain in the United States. These individuals must seek Nonimmigrant Student (F-1 or J-1) status through a U.S. consulate outside of the United States.

Orientation and Immunizations

For requirements see Services for International Students under Student Services.

Special Admissions Programs

Dual Admissions Programs

See Transfer Students.

Pre-Professional Admissions Programs

TempleMed Scholars Program
1810 Liacouras Walk, Suite 100
215-204-2513
healthadvising@temple.edu
http://www.temple.edu/healthadvising/medschol.html

The TempleMed Scholars Program provides an opportunity for outstanding students to gain conditional admission to the Temple University School of Medicine at the same time they are accepted into one of Temple’s undergraduate colleges. As TempleMed Scholars, students are expected to complete the University Honors Certificate Program in conjunction with their undergraduate degree, after which they will enroll in the Temple University School of Medicine, leading to a degree of Doctor of Medicine.

In the eight-year enriched option, a student receives a bachelor’s degree in the first four years and enters medical school to receive a medical degree after an additional four years.

In the seven-year accelerated program, a student begins medical school after three years of undergraduate work and at the end of seven years receives a medical degree.

High school students interested in the TempleMed Scholars program should apply in the fall of their senior year. Both an application for undergraduate admission and an application for the TempleMed Scholars program are necessary. For further information, please contact the program director or visit the website listed above.

TempleLaw Scholars Program           
www.temple.edu/vpus/programs_initiatives/upperdivision/lawscholars.htm

Paul Crowe, Director

Philosophy Department

College of Liberal Arts
215-204-8591
pcrowe@temple.edu

Lynne Andersson

Fox School of Business and Management
215-204-5088
lynne.andersson@temple.edu

The TempleLaw Scholars program provides an opportunity for outstanding students to gain provisional admission to Temple University School of Law at the same time they are accepted into an undergraduate program. As TempleLaw Scholars, students are expected to complete the University Honors Certificate Program in conjunction with their undergraduate degree, after which they enroll in the Temple University School of Law, leading to the degree of Juris Doctor. There are two program options: The 3/3 offers an accelerated experience in which the student begins law school after three years of undergraduate work; the 4/3 program offers an enriched undergraduate experience in which the student receives the bachelor's degree after four years and the law degree after three years.

Students may enter the TempleLaw Scholars program from either the College of Liberal Arts or from the Fox School of Business and Management. For more information or an application, please contact Paul Crowe in the College of Liberal Arts or Lynne Andersson in the Fox School of Business and Management.

TempleRx Scholars Program
1810 Liacouras Walk, Suite 100
215-204-2513
healthadvising@temple.edu
www.temple.edu/vpus/programs_initiatives/pre-professionalhealth.htm

Marquette L. Cannon-Babb, Pharm. D., Assistant Dean
School of Pharmacy, HSC Campus
215-707-4900

This program admits approximately ten exceptional students per year, granting them provisional acceptance into the six-year Temple Doctor of Pharmacy program. Scholars are expected to participate in the University Honors Certificate Program in conjunction with their undergraduate course work before they enroll in the Temple University School of Pharmacy.

Prospective students may apply for admission in the fall of their senior year of high school by completing a general college admissions form and a separate TempleRx Scholars application. For more details, contact Marquette Cannon-Babb, Assistant Dean of the School of Pharmacy.

University Honors Program

Honors Certificate Program
The Certificate Program is designed primarily to enhance the student’s experience in the university’s core or general education courses. Qualified students who apply to any of the schools or colleges at Temple will be offered admission to the University Honors Certificate program. No separate application is necessary. Selection criteria include high school credentials, application essay, recommendations, and SAT I scores.  Current students who did not begin the Certificate Program upon entrance to the University and Transfer students must apply.

Honors Scholars Program
The Scholars Program is designed to enhance the student’s experience during the junior and senior years, primarily through research and independent study in the student’s major or related fields.  Students can complete their work through University Honors Scholars program or through one of the school or departmental programs.  Students must apply.  To qualify students must have 60 earned hours and a minimum 3.6 cumulative grade point average.

See University Honors Program under Academic Opportunities.

Russell Conwell Educational Service Center

Working through the Office of Admissions, the Russell Conwell Center (RCC) provides university admission for students who have a strong academic record in high school, but may not have "aced" the SAT/ACT. Once selected by the Office of Admissions as a University student, students are enrolled in the RCC, which serves as their academic advising unit and academic support community through graduation.  The RCC offers a wide range of services to students, including:

• academic advisement and counseling
• individual and group tutoring
• academic and educational support
• undergraduate research
• employment opportunities
• leadership development activities
• peer mentoring
• career identification and exploration
• scholarship support
• six computer labs
• a laptop loan program
• cultural and academic enrichment programs
• and more!

Contact the Office of Admissions at 215-204-7200 for further information. See the Student Support Services section of this Bulletin for more descriptive information about the services provided at the RCC, view the website at www.temple.edu/rcc or call the RCC at 215-204-1252.

Continuing Education

See Special Programs.