Admission

Wartburg is selective in granting admission to graduates of an accredited high school or college and seeks students for whom academic success can be predicted. Students may enroll at Wartburg beginning with the Fall, Winter, or Summer Term. In order to be considered for admission, the applicant should be within two semesters of graduation (see academic preparation). In order of importance, students’ admission into the college is determined by:

1. Breadth and depth of the curriculum studied in high school and/or college.
2. High school class rank and/or high school GPA.
3. Test score results from the American College Testing Program (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

All students who have not taken the recommended college preparation, and/or scored an 18 ACT (790 SAT) composite or below, and/or rank in the lower half of their high school graduating class will be reviewed by the Admissions and Scholarship Committee for a final decision.

The following profile describes Wartburg students:

• Approximately one-third of entering first-year students graduate in the upper tenth of their high school graduating class.
• Nearly 85 percent of entering first-year students rank in upper half of their high school graduating class.
• The middle 50 percent of ACT scores of entering first-year students range from 21 to 27.
• More than 90 percent of students are involved in co-curricular activities, such as athletics, music, or student government.
• The student body is comprised of 11 percent minority enrollment and 7 percent international enrollment.

Application Procedure

Freshman Application

Apply Online at: www.wartburg.edu/apply

Freshmen applicants must submit:

• A completed application
• Official copy(ies) of secondary school transcript(s)
• Official copy(ies) of ACT or SAT test results
• A counselor recommendation or letter of recommendation (if requested)
• A writing sample

Applicants who have not earned a high school diploma, but who have received a high school equivalency diploma or certificate from their state of satisfactory performance on American Council of Education’s Tests of Educational Development (GED), must submit a copy of their GED certificate along with the application for admission.

Every freshman applicant must submit scores on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College Test (ACT) of the American College Testing Program. Information regarding these tests may be obtained from a high school guidance office or by writing:

• Education Testing Service (CEEB), Box 592, Princeton, New Jersey 08540
• ACT Registration, Box 414, Iowa City, Iowa 52240

The applicant must ensure that the secondary school record, standardized test scores, final academic transcript(s), and any statements and recommendations are sent to the Office of Admission.

Admission to Wartburg College is competitive. Wartburg seeks students from a variety of backgrounds with strong academic preparation who can contribute to and benefit from the College’s many academic and co-curricular programs.

Wartburg seeks to admit students who have the background necessary to be successful academically. The most important factors in the admission decision are the academic record and standardized test scores. Wartburg College considers courses taken, grades attained, and class standing as parts of a student’s academic record. Other factors which may be considered include recommendations, leadership potential, co-curricular and service-related activities, special talents, and the ability to contribute positively to the campus community. Wartburg College does not discriminate against applicants based on ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, national origin or disability.

Recommended Academic Preparation

Interviews with an admission counselor are strongly encouraged during an arranged visit to campus. To be considered for admission, students must satisfactorily complete, or be in the process of completing, a standard college preparatory program. Students applying for admission must complete the following minimum requirements:

• Four (4) units of English
• Three (3) units of mathematics (algebra I and II and geometry)
• Three (3) units of natural science (preferably, two (2) units as lab sciences)
• Three (3) units of social sciences (history, civics/government, political science, psychology, sociology, economics)
• Two (2) units of the same foreign language is strongly recommended

Students who accept admission to Wartburg agree to abide by all college rules, regulations, and policies. Attendance is a privilege that may be forfeited by anyone whose conduct is inconsistent with the traditional policies or regulations of the college. Students under disciplinary suspension or dismissal are prohibited from visiting the campus or using college facilities.

Home-Schooled Freshman Application

Wartburg College recognizes and appreciates students who have been educated in a home school setting. In order to make an informed admission decision, all home-schooled students will be reviewed by the Admission and Scholarship Committee under the following guidelines:

• SAT or ACT scores are required.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation evaluating the student’s academic potential from qualified educators or evaluators outside of the home-school environment. 
• An official academic transcript.
• An interview with the Office of Admission is strongly encouraged.

The Admission and Scholarship Committee will review the application materials of each home-schooled applicant and determine the admissibility of the applicant. The Committee reserves the right to consult with and receive recommendations from faculty members in appropriate disciplines in reviewing the portfolio. The Office of Admission will notify the applicant of the admission decision.

Early Admission

A student  whose high school record shows excellent academic performance through the junior year in a college preparatory program and whose scores on a standardized aptitude test are high, may apply for admission to the College for enrollment after the junior year in high school. Obtaining a GED is required.   A strong recommendation from the high school is expected, and the candidate must interview with the Office of Admission either in person or by telephone.

Dual Enrollment Program

The dual enrollment program is designed primarily for high school seniors who, along with their guidance counselors, feel that their academic program would be enriched by college-level courses. The non-degree application for admission to Wartburg is required with the indication that the student is applying for dual enrollment.

The following supporting data must be submitted with the application:

• Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) of the College Board (PSAT may be submitted) or the American College Test (ACT);
• An official copy of the secondary school transcript, including grades through the junior year; and
• Guidance counselors’ recommendation, including a statement in support of allowing the student to attend both high school and college at the same time.

Admission Notification

Consideration of the application will follow receipt of all required and/or requested materials. Applicants are notified of their admission on a rolling basis. Applications received after May 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.

Students who are enrolled in high school or college at the time of their admission to Wartburg are expected to maintain the same level of academic achievement throughout the remainder of the school year. If a student’s academic performance falls below a satisfactory level after the student has been admitted to Wartburg, the acceptance may be rescinded.  

Final high school or college transcripts must be sent to the Office of Admission as soon as possible after completion of the school year or term and no later than August 1.

Enrollment Deposit

Admitted new undergraduates are required to pay $250 non-refundable enrollment deposit to confirm their plans to attend Wartburg prior to May 1.

Deposits should be paid by major credit card, check, or money order payable to Wartburg College. International students must pay their enrollment deposits by major U.S. credit card, international money order or make arrangements to pay the deposit by wire transfer.

Once the enrollment deposit is received, the College will provide information about residence life, new student orientation, academic advising and registration.

Wartburg College adheres to the National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) enrollment deposit deadline of May 1. Admitted new students should pay their enrollment deposit by May 1 for the fall term, or within two weeks following notification of acceptance if admitted after May 1 for the fall term, or if admitted for the winter term.

Deferred Enrollment

Students admitted to Wartburg College may defer their enrollment for up to one calendar year provided they do not attend another regional accredited college or university during that time. Students who do complete course work at another college or university must submit official transcripts of that work for review and approval before being allowed to enroll.

GED/HiSet Student

To gain admission to Wartburg College, students must have an average of 560 or above on the GED Test composite or 15 on the HiSet, submit an ACT or SAT score (unless the student has been out of high school five years or more), and submit a high school transcript with all previous work. The student’s high school class must have graduated. A student scoring 559 or below on GED or 14 or below on HiSet will be reviewed by the Admissions and Scholarship Committee for a final decision. These standards do not apply to transfer students carrying a GED or HiSet. GED or HiSet students who are transferring to Wartburg from another institution will follow the transfer student guidelines for admission.

Transfer Student

Wartburg welcomes qualified students who have earned credit at another institution and who wish to continue study. Careful academic planning usually allows transfer students to graduate within the normal period.

Transfer students who apply for admission are considered on the basis of probable success. In order of importance, a student’s admission into the college is determined by:

1. Grade point average at the previous institution.
2. High school class rank and/or high school GPA.
3. Test score results from ACT or SAT.
4. Breadth and depth of the curriculum studied in high school and college.
5. Written academic recommendation from a college professor (if requested).
6. Transfer Reference Form.

For an evaluation of transfer course credit, transfer students are required to submit an official transcript from each institution attended. Students may transfer credit for all Wartburg-equivalent learning experiences that earned a grade of C- or above at an accredited college or university.

Students admitted to Wartburg College may transfer up to 22 course credits from accredited regional two-year institutions. Students who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university will receive 18 credits for the degree. Grades earned at other institutions are entered on transfer students’ records, but are not used in computing their grade point average at Wartburg.

Returning Student

After withdrawal for a term (not including Summer Term), students must seek readmission with the Vice President for Enrollment Management.

Students who leave Wartburg and attend another institution are considered transfer students and must reapply for admission using the transfer student guidelines.

International Student

Students from other countries must submit the following:

1. Free international student application form available at www.wartburg.edu/apply.
2. Official copy of TOEFL scores or other accepted exam (IELTS, EIKEN, ACT, or SAT). For TOEFL, minimum score is 480. Students who have a TOEFL score of 480-549 will be placed in a Bridge Program that combines an English language review, U.S. cultural study and regular academic courses, all for academic credit. ACT or SAT scores are not required, but are useful in the application and financial aid review process as well as for course placement.

For other information, e-mail: global.admissions@wartburg.edu.

Nondiscrimination

Wartburg College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or handicap in admission, employment, programs, or activities. Persons having inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 may contact Peter Nash, Affirmative Action Officer, Wartburg College, 100 Wartburg Blvd., P.O. Box 1003, Waverly, Iowa 50677-0903, or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.

Facilities Access

Although certain facilities are not fully physically accessible to handicapped persons, Wartburg College will take such means as are necessary to ensure that no qualified handicapped person is denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or otherwise subject to discrimination because facilities are physically inaccessible to or unusable by handicapped persons. The accessibility standard required by federal law for “existing facilities” is that the college’s program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, must be readily accessible to handicapped persons. Wartburg may meet this standard through such means as reassignment of classes or other services to accessible locations, redesign of equipment, assignment of aids, alteration of existing facilities, and construction of new accessible facilities. Wartburg is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are sufficient to comply with the accessibility standard described above.

Because scheduling classes and arranging housing in accessible facilities may require reasonable advanced planning, handicapped students should identify themselves to the Dean of Students within 30 days of acceptance for admission and indicate the type of accommodation they need.

Learning Disabilities

Students are encouraged to identify any learning disabilities that may affect their ability to be successful at Wartburg College. In order to provide special classroom accommodations, Wartburg requires a copy of an evaluation by a licensed psychologist or learning specialist who has been trained and licensed to evaluate learning disabilities. This evaluation should include the tests given, scores received, a suggested course of action for the individual student, and recommendations for the classroom. The evaluation should have taken place within three years of its submission to Wartburg and be on file with the Dean of Students and the Pathways Academic Success Associate.

The Pathways Academic Success Associate will work with students to make a referral for testing if the students have not been seen by a psychologist or learning specialist. Expense of the testing is the student’s responsibility.

All documentation should be sent to the Student Life Office and the Pathways Academic Success Associate. The Pathways Academic Success Associate will work with the student to determine the appropriate notification of faculty and staff as needed. Support and assistance are available through peer tutors in the Supplemental Instruction program and in the Writing Center. Other informal and personal support is available as needed to learning disabled students through the Dean of Students Office.