General Catalog - John F. Kennedy University

General InformationAdmissionsThe admissions process examines both the academic and personalqualifications of all applicants. JFKU aims to ensure that studentsaccepted into its programs have the ability to benefit from andcontribute to the integrated educational experience at the university.Admissions decisions are also based on the congruence ofthe applicant’s educational interests with the philosophy and purposeof the program to which he or she is applying. JFKU valuesa diverse academic community and is committed by purpose andobligated by law to serve all people on an equal and non-discriminatorybasis. Admissions decisions are made independent of needfor financial aid.The admissions office welcomes applications for:• An undergraduate student in a program leading to abachelor’s degree;• A graduate student in a program leading to a master’s,Juris Doctor, or a doctoral degree;• A certificate student at undergraduate, graduate, andpost-master’s levels; and• A non-degree student taking courses for personalenrichment.In addition to the university application and admissions requirements,many degree and certificate programs have additional specificrequirements described in the school and program sections ofthis catalog. (For information about law admissions, please reviewthe law catalog.) Failure to follow the required procedures, provideall requested documentation, or declare all prior enrollmentsin post-secondary institutions may result in a delay in the applicationprocess, denial of admission, or dismissal from the university.The university reserves the right to verify the authenticity of anydocument through contact with the issuing source.Application InformationAll applications must be submitted with a non-refundable applicationfee by the appropriate priority application deadline.Applications will be accepted after the stated deadline on a spaceavailablebasis. For programs that do not have specific applicationdeadlines, it is recommended that prospective students submittheir application and all required documentation at least twomonths prior to the quarter of intended enrollment. (Internationalapplicants [F-1 classification] should refer to informationon the following pages for deadlines.)The applicant is responsible for requesting and submitting alldocumentation necessary to complete the application process.All documentation submitted in support of an application foradmission becomes the property of the university and will notbe returned. Photocopies of documents submitted to support anapplication will not be given to applicants, students, or outsideparties. Documentation submitted in advance of the applicationwill be retained for one year. Incomplete applications and files forapplicants who were admitted but did not enroll will be discardedone year after the date of the application.Degree and Certificate StudentsIndividuals wishing to enroll in a degree or certificate programmust apply and be admitted to JFKU. All admission materials mustbe submitted directly to the admissions office by the applicationpriority deadline (if applicable). An application to JFKU includes,but is not limited to, the following:• Completed application form and non-refundableapplication fee.• Official transcripts from all previously attendedpost-secondary institutions.• As may be required by some programs, letters ofrecommendation, an academic writing sample, resume,personal/goal statement, art portfolio, or an interview.See the admissions requirements for specific programsin this catalog for more detailed information.Provisional AdmissionProvisional admission is primarily granted in cases where anapplicant is admitted without a complete academic record (e.g.,the admissions office has not received transcripts from everypreviously attended university or college) or in cases where anapplicant is completing the requisite degree at the time he or sheis applying to JFKU. In such cases, full admission will be grantedupon receipt of outstanding transcripts or the posting of degreeconferral.Provisional admission may also be given to an applicant whoseprevious college grade-point average is below the minimumrequired by the program. In such cases, completion of one quarterof full-time coursework at the university with grades of B or betterwill remove the provisional status. Financial aid is not availablefor students with provisional admittance. Students may hold provisionalstatus for only one quarter.Enrollment DepositUpon notification of acceptance into certain degree programs,students are required to submit a non-refundable enrollmentdeposit by the date on the acceptance letter in order to securetheir place in the program. Students who are admitted to a programbut who do not pay the deposit are not guaranteed a placein the program. The deposit is credited to the student’s accountand is applied toward tuition. Students who submit an enrollmentdeposit and do not enroll in the intended term or fail to requesta deferment will forfeit their enrollment deposit. Students whocannot submit a deposit but who intend to enroll must submit inwriting to the director of admissions an explanation which stateswhy he or she is unable to put forward the deposit and that he orshe is indeed planning to enroll.DefermentPending departmental approval and provided an enrollmentdeposit is paid (if required), applicants may defer enrollment up toone year from the time of initial acceptance. Applicants who fail toJohn F. Kennedy UniversityGeneral Information 3