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.

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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

Standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) and/or the American College Test (ACT) are not required to apply to or enroll at Trinity Washington for undergraduate study.  However, we recognize that some students may wish to take and submit standardized test scores and are welcome to do so. Should it be necessary to determine admission, Trinity reserves the right to request standardized or achievement test scores.

If you plan to take and submit test scores, Trinity suggests that these tests be taken no later than March 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.

Interviews and Campus Visits

Trinity Washington has a welcoming campus environment and prospective students are encouraged to visit.  An admissions interview is not required but prospective students may come with their questions and probe as deeply as desired to better understand the offerings and opportunities at Trinity.  As a result, a formal interview is not required. An interview with an admissions representative is recommended. 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:

  1. Complete the online application for admission.
  2. Submit a statement of purpose (see application for topic).
  3. Send a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor.
  4. Request a copy of the applicant’s official high school transcript to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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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

Trinity Washington has a welcoming campus environment and prospective students are encouraged to visit.  An admissions interview is not required but prospective students may come with their questions and probe as deeply as desired to better understand the offerings and opportunities at Trinity.  As a result, a formal interview is not required. An interview with an admissions representative is recommended. 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 as a transfer student, applicants must:

  1. Complete the online application for admission.
  2. Submit a statement of purpose. (see application for topic).
  3. Send a letter of recommendation from a professor or faculty advisor at the last institution attended supporting the application for admission.
  4. Submit official transcript from each previously attended college or university.
  5. If the applicant has less than 24 transferable college credits, she must also submit a high transcript.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

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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.

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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 documentation:

To apply for admission to Trinity, international candidates must provide the following documentation:

  1. Complete the Trinity online application (no fee).  Your Trinity journey starts here!
  2. Transcripts:  Original or certified educational documents of high school transcripts and degree, university transcripts and mark sheets. All international applicants or students who are U.S. citizens who have obtained high school or college/university credit from an institution outside of the United States must submit official transcripts for a course-by-course evaluation by one of the agencies accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
  3. Recommendation Letters: International applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from a high school teacher, college professor or current employer.
  4. English Proficiency Standards: If English is not an official language in your country, you have not earned a college/university degree in the U.S., or you are not currently enrolled in a degree program in the U.S. you will need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language or an International English Language Testing System  exam before you can be considered for final admissions. All English proficiency scores are valid for two years from the test date. Official test scores must be provided directly from the testing agency. TOEFL: Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language must be submitted directly to Trinity by ETS (Educational Testing Services). Trinity’s code is 5796, and a minimum score of 550 on paper-based test (PBT) or 213 on computer-based test (CBT) or 79 on Internet-based test (IBT) is required.  IELTS – Academic: A minimum6.5 total band score. is required.
  5. The Immigration Form I–20 needed to obtain the F-1/Student Visa will be issued only to applicants who: 1) Are admitted to Trinity. 2) Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year. Proof of financial responsibility, which includes an official bank statement for the first year of study, along with a letter of sponsorship from the Sponsor. Contact the International Student Adviser, Hanan Adnan, at adnanh@trinitydc.edu or (+1) 202-884-9141 for details regarding proof of financial responsibility. Note: All international students must pursue a full course of study (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students). Failure to adhere to this USCIS requirement for F-1 students may jeopardize your legal non-immigrant status.

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.

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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.

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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.

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