FAQ

Students may apply up to 14 months in advance of the start date of the semester for which they are applying. However, a student's application is not complete until we receive an official transcript that has the students' grades through at least six semesters.

All applicants are encouraged to send all application materials together in one envelope, or to apply online. This includes the application, the application fee, and an official transcript in a sealed envelope from the high school. Students, especially those who may qualify for academic scholarships, are strongly encouraged to apply before Nov 1.

You must submit an undergraduate application and application fee as well as official transcripts in sealed envelopes for every institution you have attended. If you are in high school, this means your high school transcripts. If you are transferring from another college, you will need to have the official transcripts from each college, community college or university you have previously attended. You will also need to submit official test ACT or SAT test scores. These will be sent by the testing agency if you list EMU on the test when you take it.

Official documents are those issued by the institution possessing the original data supporting the summarized information on the document. Official transcripts of academic grades are signed and sealed by authorized officials of originating institutions. Unofficial copies are photocopies, faxes, printouts from web sites, or other copies without the seal and signature. Official documents are required for admission. Once a student enrolls at EMU, all documents become the property of EMU and cannot be returned to the student.

When reviewing student applications to EMU, the admissions counselors at EMU are looking for evidence that the applicant has the motivation, maturity and academic preparation to be successful. Like most other institutions, our admissions counselors use several things to determine a student's likelihood of success. These include:

• grades (the top factor!)
• college entrance test scores
• specific courses a student has taken (to determine academic qualifications)
• extracurricular activities
• honors and awards

Grades are the single most important factor used in making an admission decision. High grades usually indicate that a student is motivated to do well and has learned how to study, complete assignments on time and take tests successfully. We look at the cumulative grade point average for the first six or seven semesters in high school. We also look to see if the grades have always been good, or at least have improved over time.

College entrance tests can be a good measure of a student's overall preparation. The tests are intended to compare students on a national level to other students applying to college. The tests are developed to measure students' preparation for college work. These skills are usually developed in college preparatory classes taken during high school and include: the ability to read and comprehend, draw logical conclusions, and think in analytical ways. Sometimes college entrance tests (ACT/SAT) are not reliable indicators for an individual student. Factors unique to the individual such as test anxiety or the amount of experience the student has had with standardized testing are two reasons why the test score may not be an accurate predictor of the student's future academic success in university-level studies.

The Academic Curriculum - courses students take in high school - help prepare a student for the academic work they will undertake in College. Students preparing for college are encouraged to take the most rigorous classes and to earn B or better grades. Involvement in extracurricular activities for students with B or better grades indicates that the student can balance activities and maintain good grades.

Extracurricular involvement does not make up for grades of C or lower. Students involved in many activities who do not maintain a grade point average at or about 3.00 might be considered as not being able to make academics a priority. Leadership roles (being president of the ski club rather than just a participant) are valued by college admissions counselors.

Honors and Awards indicate that the student has unique talents or achievements that will not only contribute to the student's success, but potentially the contribution they can make to the academic and social environment of campus.

Eastern Michigan University uses a rolling admission process. We will review application files as they are completed and inform students as soon as we make an admission decision. Sending all required documents together can expedite the admission decision.

Academic transcripts are only considered official if they arrive in a sealed envelope from the institution. Students may pick these up at their high school (or previous college or university if you are a transfer, grad or guest student) and mail or deliver these to the EMU admissions office.

Once in our office, your documents will be processed in the order in which they are received. Generally this takes about two weeks. They are electronically scanned, and an electronic application file is created for you. Once all required documents are in our computer system, one of our admissions counselors will carefully review your file and make an admission decision. Within a day or so, a letter will be generated and sent to you. This might take about six weeks from the time you have sent your application to us.

Our admissions phone staff at 734.487.3060 or toll-free at 800 GO-TO-EMU (800.468.6368) are available from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday to answer your questions about the status of your application

The fastest way to be admitted is through our on-site admissions process. If you are able to bring in all required documents, you may make an appointment to meet with a counselor and receive an onsite admission decision. On-site admissions are also offered at the Explore Eastern and other visit programs.

Once a student has been admitted, they will enroll for classes. New first-year students enroll through the Fast Track Program. Fast Track is a half-day program during which the student is advised, registered for classes, gets his/her student ID and has an opportunity to learn more about the university and learn about financial aid, housing, and other campus information. To learn more about the Fast Track program, visit our Fast Track site.

Fast Track information is usually sent out in January to newly admitted first-year students. If you are admitted after the beginning of January, you will receive information about Fast Track and Housing within a few weeks of receiving your admission letter.

Students interested in receiving financial aid must apply for aid. We advise students to apply for financial aid as early as possible after January 1 of the year in which they plan to enroll in college. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid which is available in your high school guidance office or can be completed online.

New Transfer students enroll by calling the Office of Academic Advising (734.487.2171) and scheduling an appointment. New graduate students contact their graduate program faculty contact to schedule an advising appointment.