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 excel in meeting the standards for graduation. When considering candidates, Trinity’s Office of Admissions evaluates a number of factors: academic transcript, scholastic aptitude, recommendation letters, and the 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.
Trinity encourages applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. 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
A strong factor in academic growth at Trinity is secondary school preparation. Completing a strong secondary school program contributes to a solid foundation for achievement at the college level and provides greater opportunity to pursue a challenging academic program.
Candidates for admission should complete a secondary school program that includes 16 academic units from among the basic academic disciplines: English, history, foreign language, mathematics (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry), science to include lab work (biology, chemistry, and physics), and social science. Beyond meeting secondary education requirements, 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, 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.
For applicants who plan to take and submit test scores, the college code number for designating SAT score reports is 5796; the college code number for designating ACT score reports to be sent to Trinity is 0696.
Interviews and Campus Visits
Trinity welcomes prospective students to visit, experience the campus environment, and bring their questions to better understand the offerings and opportunities of a Trinity education. Though a formal interview is not required, an interview with an admissions representative is recommended. Prospective students can also shadow a current Trinity student through 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 (optional).
- Supporting materials may be sent via any of the following options:
- Uploading supporting documentation to the online application portal
- Send documentation electronically via email to admissions@trinitydc.edu
- Send documentation via postal mail 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) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation (“institutional 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) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation (“institutional accreditor”).
- 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. Transfer credits may be approved to satisfy the requirements of the major or minor field(s) as determined by the appropriate Program Chair(s). Trinity must receive all official final transcripts to assess transferable credits and to determine admissibility.
Interviews and Campus Visits
Trinity welcomes prospective students to visit, experience the campus environment, and bring their questions to better understand the offerings and opportunities of a Trinity education. Though a formal interview is not required, an interview with an admissions representative is recommended. Prospective students can also shadow a current Trinity student through 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, candidates should:
- Complete the online application for admission (no application fee required).
- Submit a statement of purpose.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from a professor or advisor at the most recent previously attended institution.
- Submit official final transcripts from each previously attended college or university.
Transfer students with fewer than 24 credits earned may also be required to submit an official high transcript.
Students seeking admission as a transfer student should have:
- Earned 24 or more college-level semester credit hours (students transferring fewer than 24 credits will be in first-year status until they complete 24 credits and any requirements of the first-year program at Trinity).
- Earned a cumulative 2.0 undergraduate GPA or a 2.0 GPA in the last 24 college-level semester credit hours attempted.
- Been in good standing with the last college or university attended
Highly accredited programs such as Nursing may have alternate requirements when evaluating transfer student eligibility for admission. For complete information, please contact the Office of Admissions.
All supporting materials may be sent via any of the following options:
- Uploading supporting documentation to the online application portal
- Send documentation electronically via email to admissions@trinitydc.edu
- Send documentation via postal mail 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 Non-degree Students
Individuals interested in taking courses at Trinity on a part-time, non-matriculating basis may apply as non-degree students. To establish eligibility to enroll in undergraduate courses, non-degree applicants must provide a high school diploma from an accredited institution or equivalent. 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 documentation:
- Complete the Trinity online application (No application fee assessed).
- 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 with course-by-course evaluation by one of the agencies accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (see National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).
- Recommendation Letters: International applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from a high school teacher, college professor or current employer.
- English Proficiency Standards: If English is not an official language in the applicant’s country of origin, the applicant has not earned a college/university degree in the U.S., or the applicant is not currently enrolled in a degree program in the U.S., they will need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language or an International English Language Testing System exam before they 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. NOTE: Students who have completed the equivalent of an ENGL 107 course (College Composition) at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education and earned a grade of “C’ or better may be waived from the English testing requirement.
- 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 and; 2) demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year. Proof of financial responsibility, or financial affidavit, which includes an official bank statement for the first year of study, along with a letter of sponsorship from the sponsor. Contact the Office of Admissions 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 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. Leadership scholarships may be offered to eligible international students (only through the College of Arts and Sciences) and are determined by academic merit.
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.