Admission

Traditional New (First-year) Student Admission

The curriculum at Millikin University is designed for capable students who will respond to and benefit from the challenges of higher education. Applications for admission will be accepted upon completion of coursework equivalent to six semesters of high school. Submission of a student’s high school transcript is required and standardized test scores are optional and will only be considered if an applicant self-reports or sends a score directly to Millikin University.

The Admission Office carefully reviews the credentials of each candidate, emphasizing the candidate’s secondary school record, and information provided on the application for admission. Applicants may also submit results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) administered by the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Test (ACT) administered by the American College Testing program, if desired. SAT or ACT test results should be sent directly to Millikin. (Institutional Code: 1470 for SAT and 1080 for ACT). Applicants may be contacted to provide supplemental information or to complete an admission interview before an admission decision can be determined. Supplemental information may include recommendation from the candidate’s secondary school teachers or administration and/or a personal statement.

Although not required, a visit to campus and personal contact with the admission staff is highly recommended. A visit to campus will assist the prospective student (and family) in becoming acquainted with Millikin’s campus community and programs. Several campus visit days are held for prospective students and their families throughout the year and or visitors are welcome to schedule individual visits through the Admission Office at any time.

The Office of Admission conducts a holistic evaluation of all freshman candidates. Qualified candidates will be accepted without regard to race, religion, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age, or national origin. Admission is based upon completion of at least 15 (preferably 16) units of work completed at an accredited secondary school that fulfill the school’s graduation requirements. The academic review consists of evaluating the candidate’s high school coursework, grade point average, rigor of coursework and any other pertinent information supplied or requested. Additional qualities considered include but are not limited to leadership, contribution to and involvement in high school, and community. Students who fall outside generally acceptable standards may be further considered by the Committee for Students and Academic Standards. The General Education Development (GED) test may be considered in lieu of the secondary school record in certain circumstances.

Credit in Escrow

Qualified high school students may earn college credit to be held in escrow at Millikin University. To be eligible, the student must have completed the junior year of high school, have earned 13 units, rank in the upper one-third of the student’s class, and be recommended by the student’s high school counselor or principal. A student who meets these criteria may take one or two courses each semester or during an Immersion (Summer or January) term. Credit will be granted upon graduation from high school. It is the student’s responsibility to provide Millikin with a copy of the final high school transcript following graduation.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Millikin University, in most circumstances, will award credit and appropriate placement to students with CEEB Advanced Placement Examination grades of 3, 4 or 5. The University Registrar will make the final decision regarding acceptance of AP. Exemptions from specific courses will be granted subject to departmental recommendation. See chart under section titled Academic Policies and Grading Systems.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Millikin University recognizes the International Baccalaureate program and awards six to eight semester credits for each higher level examination score of 5, 6, or 7. Credit will be awarded in general areas depending upon the subject completed by the student. No credit will be awarded for subsidiary exam results. The University Registrar will make final decisions regarding acceptance of IB. Exemptions from specific courses will be granted subject to departmental recommendation.

Credit by Examinations

In addition to the AP and IB programs, Millikin offers the qualified student an opportunity to earn credit and advanced standing by successfully completing proficiency examinations in certain University Studies and other courses.

The University grants credit for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) on the basis of a score at or above the 50th percentile provided the student has not attended secondary school in the past three years and cannot be attending the traditional day program to qualify for CLEP. Three to six credits may be awarded on the basis of the exam completed. In general, credit will be awarded in areas outside the area of the student’s major. CLEP credit cannot be awarded if the student has already attempted the course. CLEP exams can only be attempted once and cannot be repeated.

Students completing majors in education cannot receive CLEP credits in English. Credit may be applied to University Studies requirements or counted as elective credit. A maximum of 30 credit hours from non-classroom experiences through a combination of nationally recognized exams and proficiency examinations may be applied toward the degree.

Credit by Proficiency

The purposes of proficiency examinations are to allow students to receive credit for knowledge acquired previously and to allow students to enroll in more advanced courses or to add breadth to their academic programs. Proficiency evaluations are optional and recommended only for students who are particularly knowledgeable in the discipline in which the evaluation is taken. Specific information about proficiency evaluations available, the nature of a given evaluation, study guide availability, and test dates may be obtained directly from the appropriate department or school office.

Credit by proficiency evaluation is equivalent to credit earned by enrollment in a course for purposes of satisfying the university residency requirement, a major requirement, a minor requirement, a general education requirement, and the total hours for a degree requirement. Credit by proficiency will not factor in the determination of honors, probation, or GPA. No more than 50% of an academic credential may be satisfied with credits earned through proficiency.

Proficiency evaluations and course credit resulting from successful completion are given in accordance with the following rules:

1. Individuals must be admitted to study or enrolled as a Millikin University student at the time the request for proficiency examination is made.
2. Current students must be in good academic standing at Millikin University. The Registrar must confirm the eligibility of the student to earn credit through demonstrated proficiency.
3. The student may make only one attempt to earn proficiency credit for a course.
4. A student is not eligible for credit by proficiency examination for a course if any of the following conditions is satisfied:
   1. There is already an entry on the student’s permanent record for the course.
   2. The course substantially duplicates one or more courses accepted for college entrance or for transfer of.
   3. The student has credit in one or more courses in the subject more advanced than the proficiency course.
   4. The student is currently enrolled in the course or in a course more advanced than the proficiency course.
5. The form used to request completion of a proficiency exam should be completed by the student and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. The Registrar will confirm eligibility and forward a request for exam to the appropriate department chair or school director.
6. A report on the outcome of a proficiency exam will be forwarded to the Dean, reporting the score and including a recommendation regarding the awarding of credit for the course. The Dean will, in turn, report the recommendation for credit by proficiency to the Office of the Registrar.

Credit by proficiency examination is entered on the permanent record with a grade of ‘P’ associated with the number of credit hours paid for and approved. Regarding sequential music courses (applied music, class piano, music theory/aural skills), students may be enrolled in a level based on demonstrated competency through placement exam, accepted transfer credit, course substitution, or Dean waiver. In these instances, evidence of completion will be granted for courses preceding the level of placement; however, credit hours for those courses will not be awarded except in circumstances of transfer or payment of discounted fees per credit hours.

Students with disabilities should notify the appropriate departmental office of the need for any special accommodations prior to the date of the proficiency examination. Accommodations will be coordinated by professional staff in the Student Success Center.

Special Admission Policies

School of Music. In addition to being approved for admission to Millikin University, students who wish to major or minor in Music (excluding the Music Business BA or BS degree program) must submit a separate application to the School of Music and participate in an audition. Auditions are held on announced dates or can be arranged on an individual basis. If necessary, a student may meet the audition requirement by furnishing a recorded performance.

Theatre/Musical Theatre BFA Programs. In addition to being approved for admission to Millikin University, students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre or Musical Theatre must submit a separate application to the School of Theatre and Dance and complete a successful audition or interview with appropriate School of Theatre and Dance faculty. Auditions are held on announced dates. Students must pass a second audition/interview at the end of their freshman year to continue in BFA programs.

Teacher Education. A student wishing to teach at the early childhood, elementary, middle or high school level should be aware of the special requirements for teacher certification programs. These requirements are described in the School of Education section of this Bulletin.

Mathematics, Chemistry, or Physics. Four units of high school mathematics are recommended for students who plan to major in one of these disciplines.

School of Nursing. In addition to being approved for admission to Millikin University, students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing need to meet additional requirements as noted in the School of Nursing section of the Bulletin

International Student Admission

Millikin University encourages international students to apply and welcomes their participation to enrich educational opportunities for all students. International students should complete the Application for Admission online at millikin.edu/apply. To be considered for admission to Millikin, an international student’s application and all supporting documents listed below must be received by the appropriate deadline: June 30 for Fall - November 30 for Spring Admission. An international student must meet the regular admission requirements of the University and comply with the following:

Academic Records

Official academic credentials must be submitted with the application for admission. This includes mark sheets, grade reports, or transcripts of all secondary and post-secondary work completed. All academic records must list each course and grade(s) received. Documents must be original, bearing the official seal of the institution and the signature of the Registrar, or designated official, or each photocopy submitted must bear an original certification and original ink signature of the Registrar or designated official. If the academic document is not recorded in English, it must be accompanied by a certified English translation that is a literal and complete interpretation of the original document.

Transfer

International students who have earned college credit for academic work completed at another accredited institution must provide complete documentation of such work prior to enrollment. These required documents include a transcript (recording all courses taken and grades received) and a description of each course taken, required textbooks, and details on the home country’s system of education. A certified English translation is required for all documents and course descriptions. An independent detailed transcript evaluation must be provided by a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Transcripts are evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine if credits will be accepted as an equivalent to courses offered at Millikin.

Certification of Finances

An International Certification of Finances form must be completed before the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) is issued. The University is required by immigration authorities to carefully check financial resources of each student prior to issuing the Form I-20. Therefore, it is important to understand the cost of attending Millikin and have the necessary funds to support an entire academic year of enrollment. The Certification of Finances form must be completed, signed by the student and sponsor (if applicable), and must bear an official stamp and signature of a bank official or a signed and dated bank statement must be provided. The total amount of funds reported on this form must be readily available to the student. In addition, all international students receiving funds from a sponsor or scholarship, grant or loan program must submit a signed copy of the award letter or signed affidavit from an authorized person, indicating the amount, duration and any additional requirements for receipt of the funding.

Issuance of Immigration Documents

All students are required to demonstrate financial ability to pay for at least one year of academic and living expenses before being issued an immigration document (I-20 or ds-2019) by Millikin University. Additionally, a deposit is required before any immigration document is issued (for more information on deposits, contact the Office of Admission).

Parent, Guardian or a Relative

Will provide a recent (within 3 months) copy of their bank statement - in original language and English - indicating adequate funds to support at least one full year of academic study, as well as personal expenses (accommodation, meals, insurance, books).

Self-Funding

Provide personal bank statements for the past six (6) months showing regular deposits, and enough funds to support yourself for your entire program of study.

Organization or Government Sponsorship

Submit a copy of the award letter or Financial Guarantee. The document must specify the amount of money that is being provided to the student and that the award is valid for each year of study.

English Proficiency

International applicants whose first language is not English must generally take one of the following exams and achieve the indicated score in order to demonstrate English proficiency. Test results are only valid for two years from the date of the test. Test results must still be valid the month your Millikin degree program starts or they cannot be accepted. Millikin will not accept institutional TOEFL tests, photocopies or certified copies of examinees’ TOEFL results. If you have not done so already, you must ask your TOEFL testing center to send your official results to Millikin. If you sat for an IELTS test and you can provide an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) number on your application form, you do not need to provide an official copy of your IELTS results to Millikin.

                                                                                                  Millikin’s English Proficency Entry Requirements

Applicants are exempt from submitting English proficiency exams if: They have worked or studied in the U.S. for the last two years OR they are from countries whose “native” language is English OR they can provide proof that the language of instruction of their international school was English. If possible, it is recommended that international students take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and request official scores be sent to Millikin (Institutional Code 1470).

Global Assessment Certificate Program (GAC)

Millikin University is proud to be a Pathway University of the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC), the world’s most recognized university preparation program for students with English as a second language. As a GAC Pathway University, Millikin offers transfer credits to GAC students who have successfully completed the GAC modules listed below.

For more information about the GAC program, please visit the GAC website (http://www.actinternationalservices.com/en/gac/).

Health Information. A completed Health Information form is required by Student Mental Health & Behavioral Services, plus proof of immunity from vaccine preventable diseases.

Health Insurance. Millikin requires that all international students purchase health insurance in order to help pay for major medical expenses. The health insurance policy should be kept active as long as the student is enrolled in the University. After admission, international students will be contacted by the Center for International Education (CIE) with additional information regarding health insurance availability and requirements.

Applicant contact details. A permanent address outside of USA must be given, as well as any different mailing address. This is required as part of the proof that you satisfy the requirements of being an international student. This cannot be a PO Box address.

Photocopy of passport page(s) showing name, date of birth, passport number, and expiration date.

Transfer/Flexible Learning Undergraduate Admission

Traditional Transfer Undergraduate Students

Students wishing to transfer to Millikin directly from a college, university or community or junior college are required to apply for admission at www.millikin.edu/apply and submit official transcripts for study completed at all colleges, universities or community colleges attended. If a student has attended college for less than one semester at the time of application, the high school transcript will also be required. Generally, students will be favorably considered for admission if they are in good standing at the institution from which they wish to transfer and have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of C or better. Admission to Teacher Education requires a minimum GPA of 2.70. Admission to the School of Nursing requires a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA, and a demonstration of reading comprehension at the college-ready level via standardized testing or other means determined by the School of Nursing.

Transfer Policy FAQs

• Are ‘Ds’ accepted in Transfer?
  • No, grades must be a C- or higher.
• Are transfer grades included in the overall GPA?
  • No, only Millikin courses are counted in GPA.
• Are students allowed to repeat failed courses at another institution?
  • Yes, however the repeated course in transfer will not replace the initial grade.
  • Students repeating previously graded courses cannot improve their GPA at Millikin either, but can demonstrate competency depending on what grade their program requires for the repeated course.
• Are graduation honors calculated on transfer credits and your institution credit?
  • No, honors are calculated on Millikin grades and credits only.
  • Students must earn no fewer than 33 credits on Millikin campus prior to earning their degree and qualifying for honors.
• What qualifies credits for acceptance in transfer?
  • Normally, college-level courses taken at other national or regional 2 or 4 year colleges or universities recognized by the Department of Education.
  • General education-type courses are reviewed by the Office of the Registrar in consultation with the University Studies Coordinators.
  • Courses in the major may require departmental approval unless through common practice or articulation agreements the course has been accepted previously.
• Who determines what courses transfer?
  • Office of the Registrar
  • Academic Departments
• Is there a limit to the total credits that can be accepted in transfer towards a Millikin Degree?
  • No. Millikin University may accept transfer credits from other two-year or four-year U.S. Department of Education-accredited institutions to fulfill Millikin degree requirements provided the residency rule of completing 33 credits out of the last 45 credits for a degree at Millikin is not violated.
• Are credits and grades earned off-campus in an approved study abroad program accepted and counted in the Millikin GPA?
  • Yes, provided the program is approved by the University.
• Is there a policy regarding the acceptance of Associate in Arts, Associate of Science, Associate in Fine Arts, or Associate in Engineering Science degrees from 2-year institutions?
  • Yes. All University Studies and College distribution requirements for Millikin aredeemed to have been met upon earning an Associate f Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts, or Associate Engineering Science from a reqionally accreddited insitution.
• Is there a policy regarding students who have earned a previous accredited degree?
  • Yes, students who have earned a 4-year degree from an accredited University or College meet ALL University-wide general education requirements. They are, however, held to specific requirements in their selected major/program.
• Is there a policy on aging?
  • Yes, Millikin University will accept academic credit from accredited colleges and universities for University Studies/General Education courses without time limit.
  • For courses in the student’s major program, however, academic credit will only be accepted if earned in the previous 10 years. Academic departments may specify other time limits for their programs or for specific courses within their programs. Students may appeal academic decisions to the appropriate Academic Dean.
• Is there a limit to the number of credits that can transfer towards the major?
  • No. Millikin University may accept transfer credits from other two-year or four-year U.S. Department of Education-accredited institutions to fulfil Millikin degree requirements provided the residency rule of completing 33 credits out of the last 45 credits for a degree at Millikin is not violated. 

Transfer Students with an Associate Degree

All University Studies and College distribution requirements for Millikin are deemed to have been met upon earning an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Fine Arts,  Associate of Engineering Science from a regionally accredited institution. For information regarding degree requirements, a transfer student should contact the School Director or Dean of the College in which the student intends to major. 

College credits from two-year or four-year US Department of Education-accredited institutions, for coursework where a C- or better is earned, will be eligible for transfer. Millikin University may accept transfer credits from other two-year or four-year US Department of Education-accredited institutions to fulfill Millikin degree requirements provided the residency rule of completing 33 credits out of the last 45 credits for a degree at Millikin is not violated.

Illinois Articulation Initiative

Millikin recognizes the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows the transfer of completed Illinois General Education Core between participating institutions. This agreement is in effect for students entering an associate or baccalaureate degree-granting institution as a first-time freshman in the summer of 1998 or thereafter. Millikin reserves the right to accept all courses on the basis of their content even though the course may not be an approved IAI course.

Advanced Placement , International Baccalaureate, Credit by Examinations, and Credit by Proficiency

Please refer to the appropriate section listed under Admission.

Students Returning for a Second Degree

Students who have graduated from Millikin and return to complete another undergraduate degree from Millikin must meet the 33 additional credits required for a second degree. Students must meet all requirements for the new major and any school distribution requirements not yet met.

Students who come to us with completed Bachelor’s Degrees from another institution will have all University Wide General Education requirements waived. This waiver does not apply to specific support courses or special distribution requirements attached to the new major program or degree.

Aging Rule

Millikin University will accept academic credit from accredited colleges and universities for University Studies/General Education courses without time limit.

For courses in the student’s major program, however, academic credits will only be accepted if earned in the previous 10 years. Academic departments may specify other time limits for their programs or for specific courses within their programs. Students may appeal academic decisions to the appropriate Academic Dean.

Adult Amnesty Program (transfer policy)

Students who have previously attended college, and do not meet the minimum academic standards for transfer admission, may be accepted to Millikin upon approval of the Council on Students and Academic Standards under an amnesty policy. In order to qualify the student must not have been in attendance at a college or university in the three years prior to the term for which they seek admission. To remain enrolled, a student must achieve a minimum 2.0 grade point average each semester. Eventually, the minimal grade requirements of a cumulative 2.0 average for all college study will apply to amnesty students. Students admitted under this provision are required to meet all special GPA requirements for the degree program in which they are enrolled.

Academic Amnesty Policy (applies to previous Millikin Students)

Millikin University will allow qualifying students to remove coursework from the calculation of their grade point averages (GPA) under the following conditions.

The student:

1. Is an undergraduate degree-seeking student who has not been enrolled at Millikin for at least 5 years.
2. Has completed no fewer than 24 graded credits at Millikin.
3. Has not already earned a Bachelor’s Degree from another institution.
4. Has not been granted any prior academic amnesty.
5. Was in good standing or on Academic Probation during their last semester of attendance. Students who were suspended for academic reasons during their last semester of attendance must be granted re-admission to the University by the Council on Students and Academic Standards to qualify for Academic Amnesty.
6. Has cleared all debts with relation to tuition and other related fees prior to being considered for Academic Amnesty.
7. Has submitted a formal Academic Amnesty petition as well as an application for re-admission to the Office of the Registrar, Millikin University.

Students, who are granted Academic Amnesty, will:

1. Not have any courses or grades removed from their Millikin record, but will have all grades of D+, D, D-, F or WF excluded from the Institutional or Cumulative Grade Point Average. The re-calculation of the student GPA will take place following the official census date for the semester in which the student returns to Millikin University with full-time, degree-seeking status.
2. Will be required to meet all graduation requirements for the Academic Year they are granted re-admission and amnesty.
3. Will need to repeat any course required for the degree program they wish to pursue, if that course’s previous grade was excluded from the GPA calculation.
4. Will need to adhere to academic progress rules with relation to Financial Aid eligibility.

Academic Amnesty will be granted only once. Students who receive Academic Amnesty cannot be considered for Graduation Honors or academic awards based on GPA. Students can qualify for the dean’s list or other awards not based on overall GPA.

Students must complete a formal petition and return it to the Office of the Registrar to be considered for eligibility for Academic Amnesty. The petition must be received no later than 6 weeks prior to the start of the academic term for which the student is submitting their request. Eligibility will be granted if the student meets all of the criteria above. A letter of re-admission and the granting of Academic Amnesty will be mailed to the student as soon as all documents have been reviewed and approved. NOTE: This petition must be accompanied by an Application for Readmission which is completed online at www.millikin.edu/apply

Re-Admission to Millikin

Any student who previously attended Millikin for any length of time and who left the university for any reason is required to apply for readmission in order to reenroll. Former Millikin students can apply for re-admission online at www.millikin.edu/apply.

Students must have a completed re-admission application on file and be approved for re-admission no later than three weeks prior to the start of the term for which they are requesting admission.

A personal statement on why the student wishes to return to Millikin must accompany all applications. Students who are applying after being academically suspended need to outline the reasons they believe the grades earned were not indicative of their academic ability and how they plan to improve their academic record should they be re-admitted to Millikin.

All applications for re-admission must meet the following criteria for approval:

1. The Director of the Office of Student Financial Services must approve all students applying for re-admission. All outstanding balances must be paid before re-admission can be considered.
2. If a student has completed additional academic work after leaving Millikin, an official transcript must be received by the Office of the Registrar prior to any action being taken on the student’s re-admission application.
3. Suspended Students seeking re-admission will have their credentials reviewed for re-admission by the Council on Students and Academic Standards.
4. Students who received financial aid before leaving Millikin must meet academic progress requirements as stated in the Bulletin under the Financial Aid section for continued eligibility. The Office of Student Financial Services will review all re-admission applications for financial aid eligibility.

Interrupted Residency

Students who return to Millikin after leaving for five years or more must meet graduation requirements outlined in the Bulletin of the year of their reentry. Students who continue their education after being away from Millikin for less than 5 years may do so under graduation requirements in effect at the time of their last attendance or may elect new Bulletin requirements.