Admission to Utica University

Utica University is a selective institution that offers excellent academic and co-curricular programs. The University seeks to enroll those students who will benefit from the opportunities and advantages of Utica University’s distinctly personalized college environment, and who will contribute to the intellectual, social, and cultural diversity of the University community.

Each applicant receives individual consideration. Prospective undergraduate students are required to submit a completed application, high school or college transcripts, a personal essay, an application fee or a request for fee waiver, and a letter of recommendation. SAT I or ACT scores are required only for freshmen applying to the physical therapy program, the occupational therapy program, the nursing program, and Joint Health Professions Programs . Individual major programs may require additional information. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus for a personal interview with the admissions staff.

Admissions decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of submitted criteria: past academic performance, including course of study, GPA, rank in class; co-curricular involvement; personal characteristics; writing ability; and the applicant’s potential for academic and personal success at the University. Utica University values diversity and encourages applications from students of different heritages, beliefs, and backgrounds.

Requests for application materials should be directed to the Office of Admissions, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502-4892, or by e-mail to admiss@utica.edu. Interviews and campus visits may be scheduled by contacting the office at (315) 792-3006 or at 1-800-782-8884. Appointments are available Monday through Friday throughout the year and selected Saturdays during the school year. More information can be found at www.utica.edu.

Information and applications for graduate study are available from the Office of Graduate Admissions, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502-4892, by e-mail at gradstudies@utica.edu, or by calling (315) 792-3010.

Admission Requirements

First year applicants should complete at least 16 units of secondary school credit and receive a diploma from an accredited secondary school. It is recommended that students follow a college preparatory program that includes at least four units of study in English, three units in social studies, three units in mathematics, three units in science, and two in a foreign language. Applicants submitting a high school equivalency diploma are not required to have completed 16 secondary school units; however, they must have earned equivalency scores that indicate adequate preparation for college-level work. This program does accept transfer students with earned college credit. Transfer courses are subject to review for equivalency.

Gaining admission into, or continuation in, pre‐professional and professional programs requires that students exhibit behavior(s) appropriate to practice in a specific profession. Evidence of moral turpitude, inappropriate behavior, failure to abide by the Student Code of Conduct, failure to abide by the relevant profession’s code of conduct, or other acts deemed unbecoming of a profession by the Administration of Utica University will result in denial of entry into a program or denial of continuation in a program. Certain programs may have admissions requirements over and above those for the University. Please see the catalog pages for specific programs for further details.

Please note that Utica University does not grant credit for prior learning or by examination for any of the nursing programs listed in this catalog.

Admission Process

Utica University conducts a rolling admissions program. The earlier an application is filed, the sooner a decision is made. It is recommended that students apply early in their senior year of high school. Application review begins on November 1 and extends until the class is filled. Individual majors that are especially competitive may be fully enrolled as early as January. The Office of Admissions prefers that applicants for the physical therapy program, the occupational therapy program, Joint Health Professions Programs , the nursing program, and academic scholarships complete their applications by January 15. For those applying to the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) , the application deadline is March 1.

Utica University has adopted a test-optional admission policy. Standardized tests accurately measure success in many areas and for many students, however, we recognize that test scores may not reflect all students’ academic achievements and/or talents. The admissions committee will delve even deeper into the applications for students who choose to be considered under the test-optional process. Additional consideration will be given to class rank, leadership, curriculum, a promise of future contribution, and writing ability.

Admissions Dates and Deadlines 

Readmission

If a student has been a matriculated student anytime in the past, has stopped out for at least a semester, and wishes to return they must apply through the Office of the Registrar for readmission. Students who have attended another institution(s) in the interim are required to have a copy of the official transcript(s) sent to the Office of the Registrar. The student can apply for a particular program but may or may not be readmitted to that program.

Applications for Readmission are to be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the beginning of the semester. This process is available in electronic form via the Registrar’s website:

https://www.utica.edu/academic/registrar/readmission.cfm

Students who are readmitted are required to meet the requirements for graduation that are found in the catalog for the term in which the student is readmitted.  Upon readmission, students should consult with their advisor or success coach to determine the requirements for graduation, or run a degree evaluation.

• A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree from Utica University and now wishes to get a second bachelor’s degree must go through Admissions, be admitted as a second-degree student, and be assigned to a new cohort.
• A student who was matriculated into the University, has since gained a bachelor’s degree elsewhere, and now wishes to return to the College for another degree must go through Admissions. This student is being admitted, not readmitted.
• Students who leave due to military duty do NOT have to apply for readmission when they wish to return. They simply notify the Office of the Registrar when they are able to return and they become active students.  In order to take advantage of this, they must provide us a copy of their military orders prior to leaving school.

Applying for readmission into a specific program may result in a review by the program director who may decline to accept the student.

Second chance policy

A student whose attendance at Utica University has been interrupted for an extended period of time (minimum of 5 years) may petition the Office of Student Success to restart his or her college record on the following terms:

• The record of all previous work will continue to appear on the student’s official transcript. 
• Any grade below “C” on the Utica University record will not count as credit or be included when calculating current credit or GPA.
• Students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in each semester after resuming their study, and failure to do so will result in dismissal from the College.

The Second Chance Policy may be applied only one time per student throughout his or her entire academic career at Utica University.

The Utica University Second Chance Policy has no bearing on SAP requirements for financial aid.

Veterans

Veterans of the Armed Services are encouraged to apply for admission to Utica University. Counselors are available on campus to assist veterans with admission, academic planning, and financing of their education. In many cases, test requirements may be waived and credits for service training and experience may be granted. Opportunities to pursue study on a part-time basis through the Office of Graduate Studies should be investigated, as well as advanced course status in ROTC. Veterans are eligible to receive a monthly training allowance from the Veterans Administration provided they make a timely application to the VA and select an appropriate training program. Deadline dates for the application do not apply to veterans. Address all inquiries to the Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions, Utica University, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502-4892.