Academic Catalog 2016-17 :: Lake Superior State University

Lake Superior State University

Admissions

Freshmen

A freshman student is defined as a student who has not enrolled in a postsecondary institution anytime after the summer following high school graduation.

You may apply to Lake Superior State University anytime during your final year of high school. The best time to apply is early in your senior year. Applications are processed continuously. When all necessary materials have arrived you will be notified of a decision as soon as possible. To complete your admission file you must submit an official high school transcript, application fee, and SAT or ACT scores (if you graduated from high school within 26 months of entering LSSU).

The primary factors used to determine admission are cumulative grade point average (GPA), high school course curriculum, and SAT or ACT results. LSSU recommends that students follow a college preparatory curriculum mirroring the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The middle 50 percent of our entering freshmen class typically have high school GPAs ranging from 2.90 to 3.60 and ACT scores ranging from 22-25 or SAT (taken after March 1, 2016) scores ranging from 1110 to 1220. Students should feel free to submit any additional materials which may aid the Admissions Office in reviewing unusual circumstances which may have impacted high school performance. SAT or ACT scores will not be used in the admissions process if you graduated from high school two or more years ago.

Your admission will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of current coursework and receipt of a final high school transcript with verification of graduation from an accredited school or passing on the GED. To be considered official, all transcripts and test score reports must be mailed from your high school guidance office or testing agency directly to Lake Superior State University. Transcripts delivered via approved platforms such as "Parchment" will also be considered official. Please contact the Admissions Office for information regarding approved current electronic delivery methods.

LSSU assigns each student an individual student identification number. Your student number will be provided to you when you are admitted. While we do not use social security numbers as your student identification, we do use it to match your application record with your other permanent records. Financial aid applications will not be processed without your social security number. Social security numbers should be included on your application for admission. Canadian and international student applicants should not use their social insurance number. LSSU will use your assigned student identification number.

Students denied regular admission may reapply after attending another accredited college and earning at least 19 semester (29 quarter) hours of transferable credit. Evaluation is then based upon the college record.

Home Schooled Students

Lake Superior State University does not have separate requirements for home schooled applicants. Like all applicants, home schooled students will need to provide a transcript of their high school coursework as well as SAT or ACT scores. Admission will be determined on the basis of your high school grade point average, coursework completed, and SAT or ACT scores.

SAT or ACT Testing

Students applying for academic scholarships must have SAT or ACT scores sent prior to the May 1 scholarship deadline. For students that have been out of high school two or more years, SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission.

Transfer Students

A transfer student is defined as a student who enrolls in a postsecondary institution anytime after the summer following high school graduation.

Transfer students must possess a 2.00 cumulative college GPA and be eligible to return to your former college(s). If you have completed fewer than 19 semester (29 quarter) hours of credit, you must also send an official high school transcript or GED scores in addition to your college transcript (and SAT or ACT scores if you graduated from high school within 26 months of the semester of entry).

Contact the college’s Registrar’s Office or high school guidance office to have an official transcript mailed to our Admissions Office. Transcripts sent via facsimile or hand delivered are not considered official. All transcripts become the property of Lake Superior State University and are not returnable.

Your complete application should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the semester of entry. Transfer students denied admission may reapply after taking additional courses that raise their overall GPA to above a 2.00.

Transfer Credit Evaluations

Official evaluation of transfer credit is made upon acceptance to LSSU. The Admissions Office will help you with an unofficial transcript review at your request.

If a course taken at another institution is not offered at LSSU, elective credit may be granted for that course. Elective credits may be applied toward degree requirements but may not be used to satisfy any specific course requirements.

Courses with grades less than C- will not transfer. A grade of C or higher may be required for some programs.

The Admissions Office completes transfer credit evaluations based on equivalencies determined by the faculty. The decision on courses and transfer credit granted may be appealed first to the academic dean and then to the provost.

Provisional Credit

Credit earned at an institution not listed in the American Council of Education’s publication, Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education is granted provisionally. You must complete at least 15 semester hours of credit with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at LSSU before provisional credits will become part of your permanent record.

Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)

In order to satisfy the MTA, students must successfully complete at least 30 credits from an approved list of courses at a sending institution with at least a grade of 2.00 in each course. These credits, which will be certified by a sending institution, should be completed according to the following distributions:

One course in English Composition
A second course in English Composition or one course in Communication
One course in Mathematics
Two courses in Social Sciences (from two disciplines)
Two courses in Humanities and Fine Arts (from two disciplines excluding studio and performance classes)
Two courses in Natural Sciences including at least one with laboratory experience (from two disciplines)

Students admitted to Lake Superior State University who have the MTA stamp on their transcript are recognized as having completed the general education requirements at Lake Superior State University.

Students who do not complete the entire block of courses required by the MTA will receive credit for the courses they do complete on the basis of individual course evaluation and established transfer equivalencies.

It is important to note that the MTA is not the best fit for all programs. There are many programs in Michigan for which the MTA is not a good fit. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors at their destination institution (LSSU) in order to select a path that is best for them.

LSSU-Wisconsin Bridge Agreement

Students transferring from the University of Wisconsin Colleges with an Associate of Arts & Science degree are recognized as having completed the general education requirements at Lake Superior State University.

MACRAO Transfer Agreement

Michigan community college students admitted to Lake Superior State University who have the MACRAO stamp on their transcript are recognized as having completed the general education requirements at Lake Superior State University.

Sault College Transfer Agreement

Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology students admitted to Lake Superior State University who have the GECERT stamp (liberal studies degree) on their transcript are recognized as having completed the general education requirements at Lake Superior State University.

Residency Requirement

There is no limit to the number of transfer credits allowed from other institutions but students are required to complete LSSU's Residency Requirements.

Early Admission Policy

Students under the age of 18 that apply for early admission to LSSU who do not possess a high school diploma or GED will be counseled on an individual basis by a member of the Admissions staff.

Former Students

Former Lake Superior State University students who miss one or more semesters (not including summer) must submit an Application for Readmission prior to the semester of re-entry. There is no application fee. If you have attended another college during the period of absence, you must submit official transcripts and meet our transfer student admissions requirements. Those students who were academically dismissed must meet the requirements for re-enrollment as defined by the Scholastic Standards Committee.

Guest Students

Students enrolled at another college or university may be admitted to LSSU for one semester as a guest student. An extension of one additional semester may be granted for extenuating circumstances. If you intend to enroll full time for more than one semester, you must submit an Application for Admission as a transfer student. Guest students assume responsibility for determining if LSSU courses apply to their program at the college from which they intend to graduate.

Ontario Students

Ontario student applicants must satisfy entrance requirements comparable to those of United States students. Please refer to the “Freshmen” and “Transfer” sections of the catalog for details. Ontario students are not required to take the SAT or ACT for admission consideration.

If you have completed grade 13 or OAC courses before September 1990, you will receive transfer credit at the University for each course in which your final mark was at least a 60 percent. Transfer credit is not given for any OAC courses taken after September 1990. However, completion of OAC courses prepares some students to earn credit through testing. See section titled “Credit by Examination”.

Admitted Ontario students must provide verification of ability to pay in order to receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status (Form I-20) required to attend a university in the United States. This is not an admissions requirement for Ontario students; however, an I-20 form is required for you to cross into the U.S. to attend classes. Please refer to “Verification of Ability to Pay” section in the catalog for details.

If you are a Permanent Resident or able to be in the U.S. with another form of documentation, you are required to submit a copy of this documentation.

If you are a Canadian Aboriginal or Native American (excluding METIS) with at least 50% blood quantum and have J-treaty privileges (carry a tribal ID), you are exempt from needing an I-20 form. You must provide a copy of your tribal ID and an official tribal-issued letter showing proof of blood quantum.

Ontario students planning to attend part-time (fewer than 12 credits) and commute to the University will be issued a new I-20 form each semester upon the verification of the payment of tuition and fees, or after submission of financial information as outlined above.

Ontario students are required to provide a copy of a valid Provincial Health Card (both sides) verifying coverage under a provincial health care program. LSSU highly recommends that students purchase adequate health insurance coverage while in the U.S. Students, however, may request to waive the purchase of additional health and accident insurance.

International Students (Excluding Ontario Students)

We recommend international students submit all application material by July 15 for the fall semester and November 15 for the spring semester. You will be required to provide official transcripts evaluated by World Evaluation Service (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) on a comprehensive course-by-course basis. Websites for WES and ECE are www.wes.org and www.ece.org. This applies to both first time in college students as well as transfer students. Transfer students who have earned fewer than 19 semester hours of college credit will also need to provide their high school transcripts.

International applicants must also provide verification of ability to pay, prove English proficiency, and purchase health and accident insurance through the University sponsored program. Please refer to those sections for specific information.

Applicants should not consider themselves admitted to LSSU until they have provided all required documents and have received an official letter of acceptance. Following the letter of acceptance, the I-20 form is sent, as required by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services.

If you are a Permanent Resident or able to be in the U.S. with another form of documentation, you are required to submit a copy of this documentation.

International students are required to purchase health and accident insurance through the University sponsored program.

Verification of Ability to Pay – Ontario and International Students

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) requires that LSSU have verification of your ability to pay for tuition/books and expenses before we can issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status (I-20). This form is required for you to cross the border into the United States.

An acceptable financial document must have been submitted not more than nine (9) months before the term you intend to enroll at LSSU. The document also needs to be current within the last 90 days. Inclusion of false information in the financial statements is grounds for dismissal. Verification may be documented by the following: personal savings or verification of loans or scholarships received, a parent or sponsor, government or sponsoring agency, or by LSSU anticipated support.

As of September 1, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a rule requiring F-1 visa applicants to pay a one-time fee to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). Because we will be issuing you an initial I-20 form, you will be required to pay this SEVIS fee. Information about payment of the fee and the processing of your I-20 form upon entry to the U.S. will be provided to you with your initial I-20 form. You may also check our website for additional information: https://www.lssu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/international-student-admissions-application/.

Proof of English Proficiency

Proof of English proficiency is required for admission to LSSU as an international student. English proficiency can be proven in several ways:

Score 500 or above on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 61 on the internet-based TOEFL. Please use institutional code 1421 to report scores directly to LSSU.
Score of 72 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Write: English Language Institute, MELAB Testing, 3020 North University Building, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1057, U.S.A.
Completion of Level 112 at any ELS Language Center located in the U.S. More information can be found at: www.studyusa.com or at www.els.com, 1-609-750-3500 or info@els.com.
APIEL - Advanced Placement English Language Test with a score of 3 or higher.
SAT critical reading score of 480 or higher for tests taken before March 1, 2016, minimum overall score of 965 or higher, ACT equivalent is 20. For SAT tests taken after May 2016 an evidence based reading and writing score of 290.
Completion of two (2) years of study at a school, college or university located in an English-speaking country.
IELTS - International English Language Testing System with a score of 6.0 or higher.

Undocumented Students

Students who are undocumented are considered domestic students, not international students for admissions consideration. They must meet our regular admission requirements. Undocumented students residing in North America will be classified as residents for tuition assessment. Undocumented students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships.

Orientation

All new students (including transfer students) attending main campus are required to attend and participate in orientation. Orientation is when students learn important information on academic policies and procedures that students are expected to follow while attending LSSU. Students will also learn about the wide range of services available to assist them in having a successful university experience.

Part-time Enrollment

You may enroll as a part-time student and take up to 11 credits per semester in courses for which you have sufficient academic background. United States students attending part-time who are not seeking financial aid or a degree or certificate do not have to formally apply for admission.

Canadian (commuter) students wishing to attend part-time must apply for admission and be accepted into a degree program. Note that all other international students must maintain full-time enrollment (12+ credits) to maintain F-1 status.

As a non-admitted part-time student, you are not assigned a faculty advisor. You are encouraged to seek assistance in selecting courses from the appropriate academic departments.

Current high school students should refer to the section regarding dual enrollment.

Career and Technical Education

Lake Superior State University recognizes the excellent academic achievement of students completed through the Career and Technical Education programs throughout the state by awarding university credit for this work completed while in high school. Through this partnership students are able to begin their university studies by completing their CTE curriculum. Lake Superior State University is a proud partner with the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan High Schools, and Michigan Career and Technical Education Centers in providing direct pathways for students to continue their education after high school. Through coordinated Articulation Agreements, LSSU assists students to realize a seamless and systematic transition, maximizing the use of resources and minimizing duplication of content as they move from their secondary to their postsecondary educational experience.

Dual Enrollment for High School Students

Effective July 2012, State law now allows qualifying 9th and 10th grade students (in addition to 11th and 12th grades) to attend as dual enrolled students in a postsecondary institution. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in at least one (1) high school class in a school district. A student must receive a qualifying score in each subject area on a reading assessment or the Michigan merit exam (MME) in order to be eligible to take all eligible courses; otherwise, he/she can only take courses in the area for which a qualifying score was achieved. If no qualifying score was achieved, the student is limited to a course in computer science, or foreign language, or a course in fine arts as permitted by the school district. Students must also meet any course prerequisite requirements. Students must be in Good Standing (cumulative gpa of 2.000 or higher) at LSSU to be eligible for continued enrollment. Students on probation are limited to course repeats, if available. Eligible students are limited to no more than ten (10) courses overall if the school district covers the cost; this limit does not apply if the student is covering costs.

Registration will be coordinated by the Admissions Office in conjunction with the Registrar’s Office, once a student has completed the required form and has been approved as a dual enrollee. Students may pick up the Dual Enrollment Form from their high school guidance office, the LSSU Admissions Office, or online. Attendance as a high school dual enrollee does not constitute admission to a degree program. LSSU encourages students to apply for admission early in their senior year for a major of their choice.

Placement Testing (COMPASS)

LSSU will use SAT and/or ACT scores to place students in courses required for their degree and matched to their level of academic preparation. Occasionally, these test scores do not reflect a student’s true preparedness or, depending on their admission status, SAT or ACT scores may not have been required. In that case, students will take English, reading, and math placement tests to determine which courses they should schedule. The Placement table shows the relationship between SAT/ACT scores and LSSU English or math courses.

Students with high SAT, ACT or placement scores are invited to enroll in honors English. High scores in mathematics will also allow students to enroll in higher-level math courses.

Students with low scores in English, reading and mathematics will be required to take preparatory coursework that does not count towards degree requirements.

Transfer students without appropriate course work in English and mathematics (see degree requirements) are also required to take placement tests. Transfer students may meet placement requirements by their SAT or ACT scores if they submit their scores to LSSU.

Credit by Examination

You may earn university credit by examination. The University grants credit from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and departmental exams. If you are already attending Lake State, you may earn credit through both CLEP and departmental exams.

You must meet the following criteria before credit by examination will be entered on your transcript:

be an admitted full-time student, and
be enrolled at Lake Superior State University.

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

Advanced Placement Exams are administered at high schools each May. LSSU grants credit in select AP exams passed with a score of three or higher. If an essay is part of an individual exam, it must be submitted to University Testing Services for evaluation. To receive credit, the essay must be satisfactory and you must have a minimum score of three on the test. Credit for AP is granted as shown on the AP table.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Lake Superior State University offers college credit for students who complete IB coursework with strong results. LSSU will grant credit only for Higher Level exams and scores of 5 or above. Credit for IB is granted as shown on the IB table.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

You may take CLEP exams at a computer testing center, including Lake Superior State University’s Testing Services. LSSU offers CLEP exams every month except December. Credit for CLEP is granted as shown on the CLEP table.

You may receive credit toward specified courses that meet general education requirements.
CLEP general and subject examination credit may not be used to repeat courses previously taken unless permission is granted from the academic department offering the course.

Grades for general examinations are recorded as credit without grade points.

Credit may be earned for individual courses by passing CLEP subject examinations.

Dantes ACE Credit

LSSU is proud to accept your credit for prior military experiences. Once we receive an official transcript, your transcripts (including military training) will be evaluated and credit will be granted based on American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations. If your Dante's equivalence is not listed, contact the Registrar's Office for further review. Credit is granted as shown on the table.

Departmental Exams

Departments may provide their own examinations for certain courses. You must have the written approval of the appropriate School Chair to take the examination. The Credit by Departmental Exam Application Form can be found online and in Anchor Access. There is a fee charged per credit hour. An examination grade of 2.00 or better is required for credit to be earned. Credit earned by exam is recorded as transfer credit on the student’s transcript. Some universities may not accept transfer credit earned by departmental exam.

Health Record

Everyone entering Lake Superior State University for the first time should complete an Immunization Record and Health History Questionnaire. The form is mailed to admitted students. These questionnaires are not considered for admission to the University. The information helps the University’s Health Care Center better serve your needs.

Note: Information in the admissions section of the catalog is for information only and not part of an enrollment contract.

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