APPLICATION AND ADMISSION
UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG INDEX

This section contains general admissions information as well as specialized information for transfer applicants, prospective international students, those who are not seeking a degree, high school students, and military servicemembers and veterans.

If you have special needs or questions that are not answered here, call the MSU Information Center at 304.929.INFO or toll-free at 866.FOR.MSU1. You can also reach an enrollment coordinator by calling 800.766.6067 or by completing an online inquiry through the MSU website.

Admissions Policy
To ensure the broadest possible access to higher education, Mountain State University maintains an open-door admissions policy. Many of the University’s programs have separate policies, however, and admission to some academic programs is highly competitive. For more information, see the individual program listings in the Programs of Study chapter or speak with an enrollment coordinator.

Campus Visits

Prospective students are invited to visit the campus at any convenient time. Personalized visits usually include a campus tour, opportunities to speak with faculty and staff members, and a meeting with an enrollment coordinator. You can schedule a visit or obtain more information by contacting an enrollment coordinator.

If you are not able to arrange a campus visit, you are encouraged to speak by phone with an enrollment coordinator or faculty members in your area of interest. These discussions can help you clarify career options, admissions requirements, and other important factors before you apply.

Application
To apply for admission to MSU, submit the following documents to the Admissions Processing Office:

• Application for admission. An online application is available on the MSU website, or you can request a paper application from the Information Center or the Enrollment Management Office.
  
• Application fee ($25 for U.S. applicants or $50 for international applicants; nonrefundable).
  
• An official high school transcript, home schooling document, or GED test scores, or an official transcript from each college or university you have attended or a transient form (documentation that another college or university has approved your requested coursework for transfer). Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to MSU Admissions Processing, PO Box 9003, Beckley WV 25802-9003.
  
• Housing application or exemption form.
  

Documents received become the property of Mountain State University and cannot be returned to or copied for the applicant.

You are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores for University admission unless it is a requirement of the program to which you are applying. Submission of an official SAT or ACT score is recommended for placement purposes; without it, you will be placed in ENGL 100 and MATH 100 unless you take a University assessment exam. See Assessment Testing in the Registration and Payment section for additional information.

General admission to the University does not necessarily admit you to a particular program or course. Mountain State University reserves the right to refuse admission to applicants when it is considered to be in the best interest of the University.

Admission to Selective Enrollment Programs
Selective enrollment programs have specific admission requirements in addition to the University’s general requirements.

The admissions committee of each selective enrollment program makes admissions decisions on the basis of program criteria. If you plan to apply to a selective enrollment program, contact an enrollment coordinator for more information.

If you are planning to apply to a program with a clinical component, you should be aware that you will be subject to a background check, drug screening, and in some cases a credit check before being allowed at any clinical site.

Special Consideration
The University evaluates special cases and may consider admitting applicants who do not meet the usual criteria for admission. Submit any requests for special consideration in writing.

Admission and Enrollment
To help you through the admissions and enrollment process, you will be assigned an enrollment coordinator who will be available by mail, e-mail, and phone. The enrollment coordinator will provide you with contact information, important dates, program information, and anything else you need to know as you move through your admission and initial enrollment. He or she will also serve as your liaison to University faculty and staff members and your guide in becoming an MSU student.

Once you have applied, you should begin to review information on cost of attendance and financial aid (available in this catalog and on the MSU website), explore your options with the financial aid staff, and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See the Financial Aid chapter for additional information.

Enrollment Agreement
Upon admission, you will be assigned a student e-mail address and given access to the online services and resources available through Cougar Web. From that point on, you are required to regularly review your student e-mail account and Cougar Web for updates and information.

Submission of an application and enrollment at MSU represent a decision on the part of the student to accept University requirements. Information is provided to students in the catalogs; on the website; and in handbooks, syllabi, and other University-approved materials. This information is not considered an irrevocable contract; the University reserves the right to amend it at any time as necessary to maintain changing accreditation standards and business operations. Although University officials are available to advise students, it is each student’s responsibility to comply with University policies. The MSU website contains more timely information than printed materials. Students are expected to continually review their student e-mail and the website.