Admissions Policies

Alverno College accepts women in the weekday undergraduate program who have recently completed their high school education and women who have been out of school for some time. We seek women who have the ability and desire to succeed in college. Alverno also extends its mission to women and men in the degree completion programs for nursing and business and our graduate programs in each of the four schools.

The college admits students of any color, race, religion, age and national or ethnic origin. Alverno is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Undergraduate policies for Alverno College 

The undergraduate application process

All applicants for a bachelor’s or associate’s degree must submit the following:

• An application for admission (Applications are available from the Alverno Admissions Office or at alverno.edu)
• An official transcript of high school coursework (delivered in a sealed envelope or electronic PDF from the school) or an official report of test results for the General Educational Development (GED) indicating a passing score
• Official transcripts from each college or university attended (delivered in a sealed envelope or electronic PDF from the school), if any
• Official American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score report for student applying directly from high school. (This item is not needed for international students; see below.)

Home-schooled applicants 

Alverno welcomes applications from home-schooled students who demonstrate promise of success in college. We recognize the contributions that home-schooled students bring to college life both in the classroom and as part of student life. We encourage home-schooled applicants to help us get an adequate picture of their college preparation by providing us with the following documents:

• Transcripts: A GED or transcript from a reputable home-school correspondence/umbrella program is acceptable. A home-prepared transcript is acceptable with a detailed roster of at least 17 academic units of high school coursework, including English, history, social sciences, mathematics, and natural science.
• Portfolio: To help us evaluate your readiness for college-level work, submit at least two substantive samples of work in each of the following areas:  English, history, social sciences, mathematics, and natural science.
• ACT/SAT
• Letters of recommendation: Submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to evaluate you not only as a student but also as a member of the community. These individuals might include employers, teachers, coaches, pastors, and so on.

International applicants

To ensure that Alverno College has all the information and documents necessary to make a decision on your application for admission, please make sure that you submit all of the materials listed above and please note the additional steps you must take as follows:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (http://www.toefl.org)

A minimum TOEFL score of 520 (written) or 190 (computer) or 68 (Internet) is required.  The Alverno school code is 1012.  Alverno requires receipt of an official copy of the test results directly from the testing service.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (http://www.ielts.org)

A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 is required.  Alverno requires a photocopy of the Test Report Form bearing the Test Report Form number (TRF number).

• The Society for Testing English Proficiency, Inc. (STEP Test) (http://www.eiken.or.jp)

A minimum STEP grade of Pre-1 is required.  Alverno requires receipt of an official copy of the test results directly from the testing service.

Evaluation of foreign credentials

Your non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluator such as Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) (http://www.ece.org) or Education Evaluators International, Inc. (http://www.educei.com).  Choose a “general” evaluation of your secondary school records and a “course by course” evaluation of your university/college transcripts.

Statement of evidence of financial support

Provide Alverno with official (i.e., certified) evidence of your financial ability to live and study in the United States for the first academic year.  Follow the instructions on the college’s Statement of Evidence of Financial Support form.

Certification of Intent to Transfer from transferring F-1 students

If you are an F-1 student wishing to transfer from another U.S. college or university, you must submit the Alverno form International Student Notice of Intent to Transfer In.  This form can be obtained from the Alverno International & Intercultural Center.

Questions concerning this information should be directed to the Alverno College International & Intercultural Center at admissions@alverno.edu or at 414-382-6008.

All applicants are invited to submit any additional documents that they feel may assist the Admissions Committee in evaluating the application.

The Admissions Office may request additional credentials in some cases.

1. For information on the ACT, visit act.org or see your high school guidance counselor.
2. For information on the SAT, visit collegeboard.com or see your high school guidance counselor.
3. Proof of English language proficiency is required.
4. Based on previous academic history, some applicants may be asked to complete the Communication Placement Assessment (see p. 12) as part of the application process.
5. Alverno College welcomes high school juniors and seniors to experience college academics while still enrolled in high school through the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Youth Options Program. This program, open to women and men, gives students the chance to earn college credits at a reduced tuition rate while still in high school.  A range of possible courses and timeframes is available from the Admissions Office.  Students interested in this program should call the Alverno Admissions Office at 414-382-6100 for more information.

Students enrolling in the Youth Options Program must submit a Youth Options application, an official high school transcript indicating a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a letter or recommendation from a principal, counselor, or teacher.  Students must meet with an Alverno College admissions counselor and submit all appropriate forms by August 1 for the fall semester or December 1 for the spring semester.

Criteria for admission

Generally, eligibility for admission is based on a combination of the following factors:

• Graduation from an accredited high school with a minimum GPA of 2.3. A Student whose GPA falls between 2.0 and 2.3 may need to petition the Admissions Committee, depending on her other credentials.
• Completion of 17 academic units of study in high school.
• Rank in the upper half of the high school graduating class.
• A minimum composite score of 17 on the American College Test (ACT). A student whose composite score is between 17 and 21 may need to petition the Admissions Committee, depending on her other credentials.  Alverno also accepts SAT scores.
• Evaluation of high school and/or college transcripts (coursework and GPA).

Candidates for admission to Alverno should have received credit for seventeen academic courses in high school.  These should include four units in English, three units in history or the social sciences, three in mathematics, and three in the natural sciences.  Two units in a foreign language are recommended.

Transfer credits and articulation agreements

A student with previous college experience who enrolls at Alverno College receives a transfer credit evaluation. This evaluation is based on official transcripts that she has submitted to the college. Courses taken at an institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and that show an earned grade of C or better are reviewed.  At the time or registration, she receives notification of transferable coursework. These credits are listed on an official Transfer Evaluation form.

Once a transfer student has submitted a transcript for review, her admissions counselor offers an unofficial transfer credit evaluation. When a student confirms her enrollment with a confirmation deposit, her file is evaluated by staff in the Registrar’s office who ensures that transfer credit is maximized for the student in keeping with the transfer course approved by Alverno faculty. Additionally, Academic Advisors will review the transfer credits garnered and ensure placement in appropriate coursework during the student’s first semester at the college.

Alverno College holds articulation agreements with all 16 campuses of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), listed below. A number of agreements, specifically nursing and business, are between Alverno College and WTCS and apply to each of the campuses, while other agreements are specific to WTCS campuses in southeastern WI.  

Additionally, Alverno recognizes coursework completed at both private and public accredited two- and four-year institutions in Wisconsin and nationally. 

If a prospective student has any questions about transfer credits prior to registration, she should contact an admissions counselor at 414-382-6100 or 1-800-933-3401.

Notification and confirmation

Once an applicant has submitted the required credentials, the admissions staff reviews her application and notifies her of a decision within four weeks.

Accepted students confirm their acceptance by depositing $100 within one month of acceptance. The fee is refundable until May 1 for the fall term and until October 15 for the spring term.

Credit for Prior Learning

Through Credit for Prior Learning assessment (CPL) processes, Alverno works with students to recognize the learning that they have already accomplished through a variety of life, work, and educational experiences. Students may earn college credits toward their degree by demonstrating how their learning experiences meet the requirements of a major or support area.

If a student decides to pursue CPL the student and a faculty member work within the guidelines and policies developed by each discipline as they collaborate to determine the number of credits and assessment process that reflect the student’s experience and the expected learning outcomes. Policies set by the academic departments are designed to ensure that the student develops the depth and breadth of the arts and humanities along with the depth and breadth of the major and support areas that are expected of a quality baccalaureate program. If a student would like her work to be considered for CPL, she should contact an admissions counselor at 414-382-6100 or at 1-800-933-2401 and ask about the opportunity to work with the college’s Assessment Center.  An administrative fee is charged for CPL.

If a student has taken college-level coursework in other accredited institutions, Alverno also offers a preliminary transfer evaluation, free of charge. The college encourages prospective students to submit accredited college transcripts for a preliminary transfer evaluation. Courses that transfer do not need to be assessed for credit for prior learning.

To determine if you may be eligible for college credit in Alverno’s Credit for Prior Learning program, ask yourself if you have:

• Used theory to understand life and/or professional experiences;
• Completed noncredit classroom experiences (e.g., courses, seminars, workshops, training, continuing education programs);
• Participated in paid or volunteer experiences related to an academic discipline;
• Created or developed a product, publication, artistic work, innovation, or program.

Accessibility

Alverno College makes every effort to provide accessible facilities and program for individuals with disabilities.  If you have a diagnosed disability and would like to request accommodations for any part of the admissions process, please contact the coordinator for student accessibility at 414-382-6026.

Registration

The Alverno academic year consists of two semesters, approximately sixteen weeks each, and a summer session.  Accepted students may begin in the fall or spring semester, and may submit registration materials once invited to do so.  Continuing students register online each semester during the two-week period specified on the academic calendar.

Interactive Online (IOL)

Interactive Online (IOL) is a web interface with the College’s administrative database that provides students with direct and easy access to any array of academic information.  The password-protected system allows students to access their personal academic records – such as academic evaluations, course history, progress reports, and validation reports – while maintaining strict confidentiality of those records.  Information that is newly entered or updated is immediately available to students online.  IOL makes it easier to manage student contact information and follow-ups, bolstering the College’s high-touch communications approach.

With IOL, in addition to being able to register online, students can access general academic information such as class schedules, faculty information, and financial information.

Course schedules

Every semester Course Offerings are available online approximately two weeks before the registration period.  Ordinarily, a course is offered if it meets enrollment expectations.  Changes in course schedules are posted online.

Graduate policies for the Alverno College graduate programs

The graduate application process

See specific programs for additional requirements. All applicants for an advanced degree must submit the following:

• An application for admission (Applications are available from the Alverno Admissions Office or at alverno.edu/apply) 
• Official transcript from college or university attended (delivered in a sealed envelope or electronic PDF from the school) indicating bachelor degree conferred.

Transfer credit policy 

• Previous graduate courses with a minimum grade of a "B" may be considered for transfer.
• Syllabus and course descriptions may be required for review.
• Individual graduate programs determine total number of transfer credits/if any.

Criteria for admissions 

See individual programs for eligibility and application requirements. All applicants seeking a graduate degree must have completed a bachelor degree program from an accredited institution. The GRE is not required to enter a graduate program.

Graduate International Applicants

F-1 Graduate International applicants follow the graduate application process and criteria in addition to submitting the required international documentation outlined above in the undergraduate policies section. 

Admissions policies for Online Business and Degree Completion programs will be published soon.