Overview
Ģý admits students through three admissions offices: Traditional Admissions, the School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE), and International Admissions.
Traditional Undergraduate Admissions considers applications from students who are under 22 years old or graduated high school less than 4 years ago. All programs are open exclusively to students who align with the traditional undergraduate college’s admissions criteria, apart from the co-educational Nuclear Medicine and Nursing programs.
The School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE) considers applications from students to Ģý’s co-educational undergraduate degree and certificate programs. SAGE students are 22 years or older or graduated high school at least 4 years ago; or are under 22 years old or graduated high school less than four years ago and are not eligible for admission through the traditional undergraduate college’s admissions criteria.
International Admissions considers applications from international students of any age to either the traditional college or to the co-educational undergraduate degree and certificate programs, following the eligibility requirements of the traditional undergraduate and SAGE admissions offices.
General Admission Policies
Matriculated (degree-seeking) students are admitted to Ģý on the basis of individual qualifications. A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 is required for admission for first-year applicants, and a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0 is required for transfer applicants. In addition, some majors require special course preparation and/or grade-point averages. Admission to the College does not indicate admission to a desired major.
An applicant who does not meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement may petition in writing for admission to the College. Petitions will be reviewed case-by-case by an admissions committee consisting of the admissions counselor and director of the appropriate admissions office, and any other college representatives, such as the director of student success or academic department chairs, who may be able to provide input on the applicant’s readiness for college-level coursework.
In some cases, the college may require or highly recommend special courses, such as supplemental English courses, workshops in Writing or Math, or college success skills courses prior to admission to the College. These requirements and recommendations are intended to improve a student’s chances of academic success.
Merit Scholarship Consideration
Eligibility for institutional merit scholarships is evaluated at the time an application is reviewed and an admission decision is made. Updated academic information submitted after the initial review, including revised transcripts or additional coursework, will not result in reevaluation of merit scholarship eligibility or award amounts.
Application Review and Notification
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Once an application is complete, it is reviewed and the applicant is notified of the admission decision.
A student’s acceptance is contingent upon the successful completion of any academic work currently in progress.
Acceptance of Admission Offer
To indicate acceptance of the offer of admission, the student must submit the Reply to Offer of Admission form located in their application portal. Some student types or programs may require an admission deposit in order to reserve a place in the incoming class. Please refer to the individual admissions offices policies below for more information.
Deferral of Admission
Students may defer admission for up to one year. To do so, the student must notify the appropriate admissions office. Should a student attend another college during this time, the application and updated transcript will be reevaluated for admission and scholarship.
Falsified Documents and Inaccurate Information
At Ģý, we uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout our admission process. We expect all applicants to provide accurate and truthful information in their admissions applications. Falsifying documents or willfully providing inaccurate information undermines the integrity of our admissions process and compromises the academic community we strive to foster.
Any applicant found to have provided falsified documents or inaccurate information on their admissions application will be subject to immediate disqualification from consideration for admission to Ģý. This includes, but is not limited to, misrepresentation of academic credentials, submission of fabricated transcripts, or providing false personal statements.
Furthermore, applicants who are found to have engaged in such dishonest behavior may be subject to additional consequences, including but not limited to the revocation of any offer of admission previously extended and recission of any scholarships or financial aid awarded.
We reserve the right to verify the authenticity of all application materials submitted, and any discrepancies or irregularities discovered during this process may result in the rejection of the application or withdrawal of any offer of admission extended.
Requests for Information
All correspondence relating to admission should be addressed to:
Traditional Students:
Cedar Crest Admissions
100 College Drive
Blaney Hall, Room 112
Allentown, PA 18104-6196
800-360-1222
610-740-3780
Fax: 610-606-4647
E-mail:
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Adult Students:
Ģý
School of Adult and Graduate Education
100 College Drive
Blaney Hall, Room 212
Allentown, PA 18104-6196
800-360-1222
610-740-3770
E-mail:
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-6:30 pm; Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
International Students:
Ģý
International Admissions
100 College Drive
Allen House, Room 202
Allentown, PA 18104-6196
610-606-4666, ext. 4587
Email: internationalservices@cedarcrest.edu
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Admissions Appointments and Visits
Prospective students are encouraged to meet with an admissions counselor to discuss their educational plans. Admissions meetings are available on campus, over the phone, and online. We encourage students who will be taking classes in person to schedule an on-campus meeting which includes a student-guided campus tour and conversation with an admissions counselor. Campus visits may also include an opportunity to meet faculty, attend classes, and/or meet with an athletics coach.
Traditional Admissions visits can be scheduled by calling the Admissions Office at 800-360-1222 or 610-740-3780, or online at .
SAGE Admissions visits can be scheduled by calling 610-740-3770 or online at /admissions-and-aid/adult-education-admissions/adult-admissions-staff/.
International Admissions visits can be scheduled by emailing .
We recommend students bring test records, secondary school grade reports, and/or college transcripts to their meeting with an admissions counselor.
College Visit Days and Open House programs also are held frequently throughout the academic year.
Special Applicant Types
Non-Matriculated and Visiting Students
Non-matriculated students may enroll in courses without pursuing a degree. To register for courses as a non-matriculated or Visiting Student, the student must submit the Visiting Student Application located at . Students must meet all course prerequisites, and the program chairperson reserves the right to approve or deny any visiting student registration requests based on course and program requirements. In the event a course section reaches its enrollment maximum, matriculated students are given preference over non-matriculated students. For information, contact the School of Adult and Graduate Education Office.
Veterans and Reservists
Veterans and students eligible for VA educational benefits should apply following the process for the appropriate admission office for their population, as well as contact the VA Certifying Official in the Registrar’s Office to apply for educational benefits. Additional information can be found at .
Re-Enrollment and Re-Admission
Students who have previously attended Ģý and wish to return should complete the Undergraduate Re-Enrollment Request form located at . An Academic Advisor will review the form and the student’s Cedar Crest record to determine whether the student is eligible for re-enrollment or re-admission.
Please refer to the “Voluntary Separation from the College” section within the Catalog for more information. Students returning to the College may be subject to the catalog requirements in effect at the time of their return.
Admission by Student Population
Traditional Students
The Traditional Admissions office seeks to enroll students who have shown academic achievement and promise in combination with varied interests, talents and backgrounds. The high school record is an important factor in the selection of candidates.
A good foundation for the Cedar Crest curriculum includes a college preparatory program of four years of English, three years of mathematics, two years of laboratory science, three years of social studies, two years of international language, and three or four academic electives. In individual cases, the College is willing to consider a good student whose preparation does not include all of these subjects.
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the College, candidates for the nursing and nuclear medicine programs should include two consecutive years of laboratory science (biology and chemistry) in their high school curriculum. Candidates for the nuclear medicine program also should include one year of physics in their high school curriculum.
To reserve a place in the incoming class, an accepted student is asked to send a $200 non-refundable enrollment deposit. The deposit is credited toward the bill for the first term.
First-Year Application Requirements
To apply for admission, all candidates should submit a completed admissions application through Ģý’s website or Common App, an official transcript of their high school record, a one-page typed essay, and one to two teacher recommendations. Results from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Board or the American College Testing Program (ACT) are optional. In individual cases, the Admissions Committee may request additional information. Once officially graduated from high school, they must submit a final official transcript of their high school record with graduation date listed.
In keeping with the College’s philosophy of encouraging students to develop individual talents, candidates are invited to submit any additional evidence of readiness for college. Such evidence may include works of art, original musical scores, independent projects, photographic essays, reports on scientific work, original poetry or prose, or other items of the student’s choice.
We reserve the right to verify the authenticity of all application materials submitted, and any discrepancies or irregularities discovered during this process may result in the rejection of the application or the withdrawal of any offer of admission extended. Please refer to the “Falsified Documents and Inaccurate Information” section above for the full policy.
International students, please refer to the “International Students” section for additional items required.
Transfer Application Requirements
Cedar Crest welcomes qualified transfers from other colleges and universities. To apply for transfer admission, students should submit a completed admissions application through Ģý’s website or Common App. An official transcript from each school attended since high school is required. Transcripts from institutions located outside the United States must be accompanied by an official course-by-course evaluation completed by a NACES- recognized foreign transcript evaluation agency, such as World Education Services (). Transfer applicants should also submit an official transcript of their high school record. A personal essay may be requested by the Admissions Office if additional information is needed to determine admission eligibility.
We reserve the right to verify the authenticity of all application materials submitted, and any discrepancies or irregularities discovered during this process may result in the rejection of the application or the withdrawal of any offer of admission extended. Please refer to the “Falsified Documents and Inaccurate Information” section above for the full policy.
International students, please refer to the “International Students” section for additional items required.
Adult Undergraduate Students (SAGE)
The School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE) is designed for women and men with the maturity, commitment, and preparation to succeed in an intensive undergraduate or graduate professional degree program. We seek students who want the challenge of an excellent academic program while pursuing the interests and goals that will shape their future lives. Adult undergraduate students entering through SAGE are those who are either at least twenty-two years of age or have been out of high school four or more years and are now pursuing a college degree or certificate.
The following majors can be completed through evening, weekend, and/or online study and are available to all SAGE students: Accounting, Art, Art Therapy, Business Administration, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Early Childhood Education, Education Studies, English, Global Studies, Health Science, Nuclear Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Secondary Education, Special Education, Social Work, Theatre, Writing.
Financial aid and registration procedures make it highly desirable that applicants for the spring semester apply by December 1, fall semester applicants by June 1 and summer semester applicants apply by March 1. However, applications will be reviewed up to the end of the Drop/Add period.
A student’s application is reviewed on a rolling basis and considered complete when the following items have been submitted to the School of Adult and Graduate Education:
- A free, onlineapplication, whichcan besubmittedat.
- A final, official high school or GED transcript (required,with the exception ofstudents with anAssociate of Art, Associate of Science, or bachelor’sdegree)
- Official transcripts from all college/post-secondary schools attended.
- Transcripts from institutions located outside the United States will need to be accompanied by an official course-by-course evaluation completed by a NACES-recognized foreign transcript evaluation agency, such as World Education Services ()
A personal essay may be requested if additional information is needed in order to determine admissions eligibility.
We reserve the right to verify the authenticity of all application materials submitted, and any discrepancies or irregularities discovered during this process may result in the rejection of the application or the withdrawal of any offer of admission extended. Please refer to the “Falsified Documents and Inaccurate Information” section above for the full policy.
International students, please refer to the “International Students” section for additional items required.
International Students
Ģý is inclusive of all types of students eager to study in the United States. Non-citizens requiring an F-1 student visa are encouraged to apply to come learn at our safe, small, and beautiful campus located in a dynamic region just a few hours from New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Our dedicated team of professionals will help guide you through the necessary steps to becoming a Cedar Crest student.
To apply for admission, an international student should submit the following documents. Application deadlines and more information for international students can be found online at .
- A completed International Student Application.
- Official transcripts of any secondary school or post-secondary study translated into English. Course descriptions in English should be sent for college- or university-level work.
- A WES (World Education Services)course-by-course evaluation should besubmittedfor allcollege transcriptsoutside of the USA.
- Results of the TOEFL Examination, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)or American College Testing Program (ACT).
- Required TOEFL/IELTS/DUOLINGOScore
For regular acceptance:
- 425paper-based TOEFL
- 59internet-based TOEFL
- 5.0IELTS
- 85DUOLINGO
- A scan of passport page
- A completed Financial Affidavit andStatement offinances(for I-20 purposes)
We reserve the right to verify the authenticity of all application materials submitted, and any discrepancies or irregularities discovered during this process may result in the rejection of the application or the withdrawal of any offer of admission extended. Please refer to the “Falsified Documents and Inaccurate Information” section above for the full policy.
Special Admission Programs and Opportunities
Early Admission
Early admission is available to high school students who have completed their junior year, have permission from their schools, and wish to enroll in college a year early. In addition to a strong academic record, an early admission candidate must demonstrate a high degree of emotional and social maturity. SAT or ACT scores and an interview are optional. The application procedures for early admission involve applying as a visiting student through our School of Adult and Graduate Office, rather than following the standard application process.
Early admission candidates are asked to identify themselves to the admissions office at the outset so that proper counsel may be provided.
Dual Enrollment
Ģý offers high-school students the opportunity to take college courses for dual-enrollment credit in two ways:
- Early College for High-School Students
Ģý offers high-school juniors and seniors who are eligible for admission to the Women’s College the opportunity to take college courses at a reduced tuition rate. High school students participating in this program may choose from a variety of Ģý courses offered from the Allentown, PA campus and delivered through in-person, hybrid, or online modalities. Tuition for Early College high-school students is $150 per credit for undergraduate day, evening, and weekend courses. The Tuition for Early College high school students cannot be applied to independent studies or consortium courses. Interested students should contact the Traditional Admissions Office at 610-740-3780.
- Dual Credit Academy
Ģý’s coeducational Dual Credit Academy (DCA) offers online general-education courses for high-school juniors or seniors that are delivered through partnership with TEL Education (). DCA courses provide college instruction supported with services specifically for dual-enrolled high-school students. For a list of eligible DCA courses, refer to the Dual Credit Academy course section in this catalog. A student may complete no more than 59 total credits (49% of a bachelor degree) through DCA TEL Education partner courses. Interested students should contact their high-school guidance counselor if at a partner school district or, if an individual student, the School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE) Admissions Office at 610-740-3770.
- High-school students who successfully complete at least one Dual Credit Academy (DCA) course (passing a course with a minimum grade of C- or higher), achieve a minimum DCA Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in DCA courses, and maintain a cumulative high-school course GPA of 2.0 or higher are automatically accepted to Ģý’s undergraduate degree programs upon successfully earning a high-school diploma and meeting other admission requirements, as may be appropriate under the College’s admissions policies for our women’s college programs or our co-educational undergraduate programs in the School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE). Students will be required to file appropriate application documents and information with the college for enrollment and matriculation purposes.
Students should refer to their high-school policies for the extent to which, if at all, dual-enrolled college courses may also satisfy high-school graduation requirements (speak with your high-school guidance counselor).
Honors Program: By Invitation for Traditional Students
The Cedar Crest Honors Program is a stimulating and enriching accompaniment to the college experience for traditional students. Honors courses are cross-disciplinary in nature, and may be team-taught. Honors courses prioritize the cultivation of the exceptional abilities of students and promote an understanding of various approaches to the questions and challenges inherent in the human condition.
3-Year Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Through its “Degree in 3” programs, Ģý offers undergraduate first-year students the ability to complete a bachelor degree in three academic years, rather than four. Students do so by taking a higher-than-average course load in fall and spring semesters and taking online courses during summer terms. Students commit to following the 3-year plan of study, course sequence, and advising program, while Cedar Crest will provide for the availability of required courses or their alternatives.
The accelerated pace to completing the bachelor degree is for highly motivated students and requires the same degree requirements, including a minimum of 120 earned credits, as a regularly paced program of study but is completed on an accelerated schedule.
The benefits of completing a degree in three include entry to the workforce a year earlier, with cost savings and earlier salary potential. Students may also use the fourth year to complete a 1-year master degree or for a head start on a longer graduate degree.
Academic majors able to be completed in the “Degree in 3” program include the following:
- Accounting
- Art Therapy
- Business Administration
- Chemistry (BA plan of study only, not BS; also BA with Physics minor)
- Criminal Justice
- English
- Health Science
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Special Education
- Writing
Common 3-Year+ integrated combinations for graduate programs include the below, among other options:
- 3+1 Business Administration–MBA
- 3+2 Art Therapy – MA in Art Therapy
- 3+1 Criminal Justice–MS in Crime Science
- 3+1 Health Science–MSinIntegrative Exercise Science
- 3+2 Writing–MFA in Creative Writing
- 3+2 English–MFA in Creative Writing
- 3+3 Health Science–Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)
Transferring Credit
Evaluation of transfer credit is determined on a course-by-course basis by the registrar after an evaluation of official college transcripts. Up to 90 semester hours of credit may be transferred. A maximum of 68 of these may be from two-year institutions. Courses approved to be transferred, satisfying requirements of the liberal arts curriculum, taken at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of C- or better will be given equivalent Cedar Crest credit. Transfer students receive a Statement of Advanced Standing (SAS) listing all accepted credits from previous institutions attended. Some programs may require a higher minimum grade in order for the course to meet program requirements. The College’s policies for evaluating courses for transfer credit follow the guidelines established by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. Accepted credits will transfer; however, grades do not.
All transfer credits that a student intends to apply toward a major must be approved by the department chairperson.
Please refer to the “Undergraduate Policies” within the Catalog regarding Advanced Placement (AP) credits, College Level Examination Placement (CLEP) credits, Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) credits, and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).