Admission to the College of Arts & Sciences
Admission to the College of Arts & Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences selects women for the undergraduate weekday program who will benefit from and contribute to the education offered at Trinity and who will be able to meet the standards for graduation. When considering candidates, the Admissions Committee evaluates a number of factors: high school records, scholastic aptitude, letters of recommendation, and a student’s personal statement. Special talents, high motivation, and academic and social involvement are important factors in the consideration of a student’s admission to Trinity.
Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged. Trinity admits students without regard to race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for First-Year Students
Secondary School Requirements
Academic growth at Trinity depends in part on the student’s preparation in secondary school. The completion of a strong secondary school program ensures greater freedom and flexibility at the college level.
Candidates for admission should complete a secondary school program that includes 16 academic units from among the basic academic disciplines: English, history, second language, mathematics (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry), science (biology, chemistry, and physics), and social science. Beyond meeting the requirements for high school graduation, academic areas of special interest or importance should be pursued in greater depth.
Entrance Examinations
Trinity strongly recommends (although does not require) that every candidate for admission as a first-year student take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) or the American College Testing Assessment (ACT). Trinity reserves the right to request the results of additional achievement tests if deemed necessary.
Trinity suggests that these tests be taken no later than January of the student’s senior year in secondary school. The college code number for designating SAT score reports to be sent to Trinity is 5796; the college code number for designating ACT score reports to be sent to Trinity is 0696.
Information about the SAT is available at the College Board website at http://collegeboard.org. Informational bulletins about the ACT are available by calling ACT, Inc. at 319/337-1270 or online at http://www.act.org. Information about all other tests is available from the Educational Testing Service website at http://www.ets.org.
Any student for whom English is a second language must demonstrate competency in English. Official TOEFL score reports must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on the computer-based exam, or 79-80 on the internet exam is required.) Students may also be asked to take an English placement test or complete a personal interview. Students from Puerto Rico whose first language is Spanish may substitute the Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA) for the SAT or the ACT examinations.
Interviews and Campus Visits
An interview with an admissions representative is recommended. Students are encouraged to visit campus.Prospective students can shadow a current Trinity student throughout a typical day on campus. Reservations may be made for a campus visit and an interview by contacting the Office of Admissions.
Application Procedure
To apply for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences at Trinity as a first-year student, candidates must:
- Complete the online application for admission.
- Submit a statement of purpose (see application for topic).
- Send a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor.
- Request a copy of the applicant’s official high school transcript to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
- Request official score reports of either the SAT or ACT to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Trinity’s code for the SAT is 5796 and its code for the ACT is 0696.
- All supporting materials should be sent to:
Office of Admissions
Trinity Washington University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
Applications for admission to Trinity are considered on a rolling basis. Priority for admission and scholarships is given to students who complete their applications by the priority deadline of February 1 for the Fall term. All others are encouraged to submit their application no later than March 15 for the Fall term, and November 1 for the Spring term. Candidates will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of all required credentials. If additional information is required, candidates for admission will be notified promptly.
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommendations, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Transfer Students
Transfer Admission Requirements
Candidates who have attended appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning after graduation from high school or receipt of a GED must apply to the College of Arts and Sciences as a transfer student. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors.
Transfer Credits Satisfying Degree Requirements
Courses eligible for transfer must meet the following requirements:
- The course must have been completed at an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors.
- Courses taken as either Pass/No-Pass or Credit/Non-Credit are not eligible for transfer to Trinity.
- Courses that have been audited are not eligible for transfer to Trinity.
- For transfer to undergraduate programs, the course must have been completed with a final grade of “C” or better, although certain academic programs require higher grades to count toward major or minor requirements. Transfer courses taken at the undergraduate level must be applicable to Trinity’s liberal arts curricula. However, transfer credits may be approved to satisfy the requirements of the major or minor field(s) as determined by the appropriate Program Chair(s).
Interviews and Campus Visits
Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus and arrange for an interview with an admissions representative. Prospective transfer students should contact the Office of Admissions for an appointment.
Application Procedure
To apply for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences as a transfer student, applicants must:
- Complete the online application for admission.
- Submit a statement of purpose. (see application for topic).
- Send a letter of recommendation from a professor or faculty advisor at the last institution attended supporting the application for admission.
- Submit official transcript from each previously attended college or university.
- If the applicant has less than 24 transferable college credits, she must also submit a high transcript.
- It is recommended that the applicant send official SAT or ACT scores if she has been out of high school for less than two years.
- All supporting materials should be sent to:
Office of Admissions
Trinity Washington University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
Application for admission to Trinity are considered on a rolling basis. There is no fixed deadline for application; however, candidates should apply and arrange for all credentials to be forwarded at least six weeks prior to the semester in which they wish to enroll.
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommendations, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Non-degree Students
Individuals interested in taking courses at Trinity on a part-time, non-matriculating basis may apply as non-degree students. They may be eligible to take undergraduate courses providing they have a high school diploma from an accredited institution. Prospective non-degree students must complete an application for non-degree status.
Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only, and students must satisfy all prerequisites for courses. Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. A non-degree student may apply for status as a degree student according to the applicable admissions policy. No more than nine undergraduate credit hours earned as a non-degree student may be applied toward the degree. No additional courses may be undertaken prior to acceptance into a degree program at Trinity.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for International Students
International applicants must submit all credentials for admission as a first-year, transfer, or non-degree student. The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documents:
- Complete the online application for admission.
- A copy of the applicant’s official high school or college/university transcript. Transcripts must be translated into English and evaluated by an accredited agency such as the World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the American Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org/credential/).
- A letter of recommendation from an instructor or supervisor from a previous secondary school, college/university, or workplace, supporting the application for admission.
- Any student for whom English is a second language must demonstrate competency in English. Official TOEFL score reports must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on the computer-based exam, or 79-80 on the internet exam is required.) Students may also be asked to take an English placement test or complete a personal interview.
- Proof of financial responsibility, such as a Declaration/Certificate of Finances or an official bank statement for the first year of study.
- A 250 – 500 word essay, written in English. (The applicant may choose to write about his/her future ambitions, goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets him/her apart from peers, or a significant professional or community experience.)
Trinity will issue the Form I-20 (for the F-1 / Student Visa) to applicants who:
- Are admitted to Trinity.
- Are proficient in the English language.
- Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year.
Deadlines: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommendations, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.
Additional Information for All Full-time Students
Declaration of Intent
Upon acceptance to Trinity, students who wish to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences must submit a declaration of intent through the accepted student portal. Accepted students who intend to enroll should declare intent by May 1. Students admitted after May 1 should submit declaration of intent within two weeks of admission.
For residential students, a campus housing application must be submitted.
Health Insurance
All full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences are covered by the mandatory school-sponsored health insurance plan. A brochure describing the student health insurance plan offered through the University is emailed each year to new students; it also may be obtained from Trinity’s Health& Wellness Center.
Disclaimer
Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.
Questions may be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@trinitydc.edu.