Undergraduate Admissions Process

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You have talked to your admissions counselor, you have been on your campus visit, and you’re ready to apply and become a student at BU. Take the next step by applying online. Then have your guidance counselor send in your transcript and SAT or ACT scores.

Learn about the financial aid process.

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Transferring to Bluefield University is simple. Students wishing to transfer from another college or university will be considered for admission if they meet the following requirements:

• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at all colleges and universities attended if they have earned 12 completed credit hours.
• If you have earned fewer than 12 completed credit hours, you must have a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher, and you will be considered under our freshman admission standards.

We understand transfer students want to complete their bachelor’s degree in a timely manner. The Office of the Registrar completes a transcript evaluation to determine which credits will transfer, a vital component in helping you know what it will take to complete your degree. This is why:

• Bluefield University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); therefore, we will accept all previous credits earned at any other regionally accredited, four-year college or university.
• Students coming from a regionally accredited two-year college can transfer and receive credit for a maximum of 68 total hours.
• Bluefield University has multiple articulation agreements with other colleges and universities; if you have previously studied at one of these schools, this may be considered during the evaluation process.
• Bluefield University has an articulation agreement with the Virginia Community College System. Under the terms of this agreement, students who graduate from Virginia community colleges in a designated Associate of Arts and Sciences or Associate of Sciences degree program and have achieved a GPA of at least 2.5 in their academic work are eligible for automatic acceptance. We will also consider all general education courses not required for a student’s major as meeting our requirements.
• The Bluefield Core is a unique 9-hour block of courses required for incoming freshmen. Transfer students who have not completed a VCCS associate degree but who have completed 32 transferrable hours will be exempt from one of these required classes, COR 1012 – Invitation to Inquiry.

Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

To be considered for acceptance, you need to begin the process by submitting:

1. A completed online application. Once we receive your application, you can expect a personal phone call from our Transfer & International Counselor to confirm the details in your application.
2. The following documents to document your academic history:
   • If you have more than 12 completed GPA hours, we need the transcripts from each college you have attended. Bluefield University accepts students based on a cumulative GPA, so even if your grades were not the best at one school, you must submit a transcript if courses were completed.
   • If you have fewer than 12 completed GPA hours, we need a copy of your high school transcript.
   • The SAT, CLT, and ACT exams are optional for new students applying to Bluefield University.
   • If you have earned college credit through AP testing, dual enrollment, and/or military training, these documents need to be submitted with your other academic records. The Transfer & International Counselor can provide a list of acceptable secondary sources of college credit.

Once we have received your application and all necessary academic transcripts and records, your acceptance to Bluefield University is offered or denied based on our acceptance standards listed above as part of our rolling admissions policy.

We welcome applications for admission from international students. International students with fewer than 12 college credits will be considered international freshman applicants. International Students with 12 or more college credits will be considered international transfer applicants.

To ensure international students have the necessary time to acquire a VISA and arrive prior to the start of classes, students must submit all materials, be accepted, and pay the confirmation fee prior to the following deadlines:

For students residing outside of the US without a current I-20:

• July 1st – Fall Semester Applicants
• November 15th – Spring Semester Applicants

For students transferring from a US University with a current I-20:

• August 1st – Fall Semester Applicants
• December 1st – Spring Semester Applicants

If you have questions or need assistance during your application process, please email our Admissions team.

Admission Requirements for International Students

International students who wish to be considered for admission as a freshman must submit the following:

• A completed online application
• An officially certified English translation of the student’s secondary school transcript
• Proof of English proficiency

International students who wish to be considered for admission as a transfer student must submit the following:

• Official copies of all university transcripts. All transcripts from international universities must be submitted through Incred
• Evaluations for credit to be given for completed coursework
• Proof of English proficiency

Proof of English Proficiency

Bluefield University requires all international students to meet the requirements of English proficiency to ensure they can be successful in college. You can demonstrate your English proficiency by taking one of the following exams and achieving or surpassing the score listed below:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Score of 61
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Score Band 6
• Cambridge English Assessment: Score of 169
• Duolingo English Test: Score of 85

International students can choose to meet the requirement of English proficiency without an English language exam by:

• Achieving a score of 18 on the ACT English exam and a score of 21 on the ACT Reading exam
• Achieving a score of 500 or above on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) exam

International students may claim an exemption from testing to provide proof of English proficiency if they are a native of or have studied full-time for two or more years (within the past five years) in these countries:

• Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (excluding Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Tanzania, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, or Zambia.

International students may claim an exemption from testing to provide proof of English proficiency if they are a native of or have attended four years of English high school and can provide documentation for:

• Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, or Zimbabwe

NOTE: Students who claim an exemption for the proof of English proficiency requirement are subject to a video interview before being granted full acceptance.

Once international students are accepted, they are required to submit the following items as part of the process:

1. Following acceptance, a student will be emailed a Financial Obligation Form. This form must be returned before an I-20 can be issued. To complete the Financial Obligation form, students need to provide bank records and other financial documents to verify they can pay the required cost of attendance.
2. Before a student can register for classes, they must submit the $150 confirmation fee. This is a one-time, non-refundable fee.
3. All international students must enroll in the university-sponsored insurance plan. It is the only way we can guarantee international students will have healthcare coverage in the event a hospital visit is needed. Many hospitals now reserve the right to refuse overseas insurance coverage because of changes within the U.S. healthcare system. You can learn more about student health insurance on our Student Health page.
4. All international students are required to pay their first-semester tuition and fees upfront before traveling to the United States and beginning their classes.

Obtaining an I-20 Form

The Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) or a Designated School Official (DS) issues an I-20 form once a student has been granted full acceptance to the University and the student has:

• Submitted all final, official transcripts
• Submitted a completed confirmation form, paid the deposit, and completed the housing contract; this is part of the student’s acceptance packet
• Submitted a completed International Student Financial Obligation Form with supporting documents; this is part of the student’s acceptance packet
• Submitted a completed International Student Financial Affairs Form with supporting documents; this is part of the student’s acceptance packet
• Submitted all completed Bluefield University Medical Forms; these can be found on myBU.
• Made their tuition and fees payment for their first semester at Bluefield University; payment may be submitted online through MyBU or by completing a wire transfer ($50 fee applies)
• Submitted a copy of the first page of the student’s passport, including the passport photo

In addition to the above, all transfer international students must complete and submit an F-1 Non-Immigration Form. Non-immigrant students seeking to transfer from another U.S. college or university to Bluefield University must complete this form and request the Designated School Official of their current school provide the necessary information.

Bluefield University has the right to request additional documentation before issuing the I-20 form and has the right to refuse to issue an I-20 form even if an international student meets the requirements for acceptance and I-20 standards.

Transportation Assistance

Bluefield University provides free airport transportation to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport at the beginning and end of the fall and spring semesters. Only students whose flights are arranged for the dates listed in the Travel Assistance Request Form below may request this transportation assistance.

Each student must meet the following requirements for transportation assistance:

1. Complete the Travel Assistance Request Form below or contact the Office of Admissions and provide them with your complete itinerary at least 14 days before your scheduled flight.
2. Meet with the Office of Admissions with your travel form.
3. Schedule your flight to arrive at Charlotte International Airport before 9 pm.
4. Schedule your flight to depart Charlotte International Airport after 1 pm.

In the event your flight is delayed and you will arrive after 9 pm, you must contact BU as soon as possible with your updated flight information and be prepared to stay overnight near the airport.

Bluefield University is an excellent choice for the next step of your homeschooling experience. We understand the commitment and efforts your parents have invested in your education, and you’ll experience that same effort and commitment as a BU student. Our personalized attention to students, low student-to-teacher ratio (14:1), average class size of 15, and Christ-centered curriculum create an environment that is ideal for the intellectual and spiritual growth of our students.

Our faculty takes the time and effort to know each student as an individual, helping to mentor you during your time at Bluefield University. Our faculty are willing to meet with you after class, tutor you, and encourage you throughout your college journey. Each member of the faculty is a committed Christian, teaching their courses from a Christian worldview.

These are just a few of the reasons Bluefield University has a growing population of students who were homeschooled and who thrive as BU students! To discover your passion and earn your degree, apply for admission by:

• Complete an online application
• Submit an official Homeschool transcript. Your transcript must include your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

Please note that the SAT, CLT, and ACT exams are optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.