Admission as a Full-time, First-time, Degree-seeking College Freshman

First-time freshmen are those who are entering college for the first time or have successfully completed 23 or fewer non-developmental, post-high school college credit hours other than dual credit. Those with 24 or more such credit hours may apply as transfer students even if their enrollment is on a part-time basis.

Application for Admission. All applicants must submit a completed online or paper application for admission to the Office of Admission. Online Application
Academic Transcripts. All applicants must submit official transcripts of their high school records clearly indicating their grade point average and class rank to verify eligibility for admission and financial assistance. Home-schooled students should submit a state-certified transcript. Those who have attempted any college and/or post-secondary courses (including dual credit) must also submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. All transcripts are part of the students' permanent college record. In addition, all transcripts must be received in the Office of Admission before a student will be eligible to attend classes and receive financial assistance.
Deadline. New students (both first-time freshmen and transfer students) who meet CMU's published admission standards (and, in the case of transfer students, who have copies of all official transcripts) will be accepted for admission through Friday of the first week of classes for both the Fall and Spring semesters, as long as there is a clear assurance that they will be in their classes the following Monday. (NOTE: This policy specifically excludes [a] students who would have to be admitted by committee action, and [b] readmission of students who have been previously suspended - since the deadline for appeals would already have passed.)
Test Scores. All first-year applicants must submit results of the American College Testing (ACT) program (use code 2270 to submit your ACT scores to CMU) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) (CMU code:6059). Any applicant who does not submit scores, may be considered through the Academic Standards and Admissions Committee.
Admission Standards. To receive unconditional admission to Central Methodist University, applicants have two pathways:

Unconditional admission with a high school GPA of 2.5 and an ACT composite score of 18 or SAT Concordance of 960.
Unconditional admission with a high school GPA of 2.75 with a college preparatory high school transcript as outlined below and no required ACT or SAT score (the high
school GPA will be determined by the weighted GPA, if that GPA is noted on the high school transcript).

Students falling below the minimum standards may be admitted on conditional admission status. An offer of acceptance is made to a student with the condition that he or she remains in good standing.

College Preparatory High School Curriculum for unconditional admission with a high school GPA of 2.75 and no required ACT or SAT score

Students must complete the following high school unit requirements (one unit = one year):

English 4 units:
One unit may be speech
Two units must focus on composition or writing skills.
- Acceptable courses
  - English Literature
  - Speech
  - Debate
- Unacceptable Courses:
  - Yearbook
  - Acting
  - Theater
  - Drama
  - Business English
  - Media
Mathematics 3 units:
All units must be Algebra I or higher-level courses
- Acceptable courses
  - Algebra I
  - Algebra II
  - Trigonometry
  - Pre-Calculus
  - Calculus
  - Geometry
  - Analytical Geometry
  - Math Analysis
- Unacceptable Courses:
  - Computer Math
  - Programming
  - Consumer Math
  - Pre-Algebra
  - Accounting
  - Basic Math
  - Technical Math
  - Computer Science
  - Personal Finance
Science 3 units:
One unit must be a laboratory course
- Acceptable Courses:
  - Earth Science
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Physics
- Unacceptable Courses:
  - General Science
Social Sciences 3 units
- Acceptable Courses
  - World History
  - American History
  - American Government
  - Principles of Democracy
  - Psychology
  - Sociology
  - Economics
- Unacceptable Courses
  - Personal Finance

Students falling below the minimum standards may be admitted on conditional admission status. An offer of acceptance is made to a student with the condition that he or she remains in good standing.

High School Equivalency.: Applicants without a high school diploma may qualify for admission by passing the test of General Educational Development (GED) with a score at
least 2250 or HiSET and an ACT composite score of 18 or above (SAT 960 or above).
Home schooled Students:Home schooled students must submit a valid home school transcript that includes their grade point average, and they may receive unconditional admission by meeting the criteria established for students graduating from a traditional high school.
Early Enrollment of Freshmen. High school applicants of exceptional ability may be admitted and enrolled following completion of their Junior year of high school. Early enrollment applicants must complete all of the procedures for regular Freshman admission, have a personal interview, and obtain the written consent of their parents and their high school principal.
Advanced Standing. Central Methodist University awards credit for scores of 3 (three) or higher on some of the Advanced Placement (AP) tests available through the College Entrance Examination Board. Each AP exam must be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Registrar and department chairperson. CMU will consider granting credit for a limited number of subject examinations available through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). CMU recognizes the high achievement and academic excellence of students who have participated in the International Baccalaureate degree program. Usually, a score of 4 (four) or above on the Higher Level IB exam or a score of 5 (five) or above on the Standard Level IB exam will be assessed as equivalent credit for specific courses. Specific course equivalents will be designated in consultation with the appropriate Division Chair, Dean, and Registrar. Students must provide an official copy of the score report from IB, sent directly to the Office of Admissions. For further information, contact the Office of the Registrar at 660-248-6210.