Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Below you will find detailed admission requirements for first-time freshmen as well as transfer students. Remember, you may always contact the International Center for any questions you may have.

First-time freshmen are expected to have the American equivalent of 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale (approximately 65%) or above in their secondary (senior or high school) education. Our international admissions coordinators are specialists in this field and are familiar with the educational systems in other countries. They can answer specific questions which international applicants might have. Students that do not meet the minimum academic criteria may be considered for provisional admission but may be requested to submit three letters of recommendation written in English attesting to his or her academic ability. Therefore, along with official copies of their senior secondary transcripts or mark sheets (with English translations) students should also submit a two-page essay written in English describing their educational and personal objectives.

International students are not required to submit SAT and ACT scores. However, if you have taken these tests, submit these scores as they will be used for academic placement purposes; strong test scores enhance a student's chances of admission, but low scores do not prevent admission.
International students demonstrating that they meet the academic requirements of the University must also prove English proficiency before beginning an academic degree program. 

Students who have taken the Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) of the College Board or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program will be accepted with above average scores (AP grades higher than 3 and IB scores higher than 4) and should have the results forwarded to the Office of International Admissions. These results will be evaluated not only for admission, but also for proper advanced standing and/or credit from HPU. Students graduating with the Abitur or Swiss Matura are required to submit their documents as described in the transfer students section below.

Transfer Students

Applicants who have attended any post-secondary institution (college, university, technical institute, etc.) or who have graduated with the Abitur or Swiss Matura will be evaluated based upon this work in combination with their performance in secondary school. Transfer students should submit their transcripts along with the application for admission. Based upon these transcripts, a decision will be made about acceptance and also about exemption from course work at HPU. Transfer students should also check with the institution they are attending or have attended to see if there is already an articulation agreement (formal transfer agreement) in place.

What to submit: To be able to evaluate your coursework or degree from your country, please mail the university your complete application along with a certified copy of your transcripts (translated into English). Submit a listing of all courses (with grades) you have completed (must be in English). Have your college or university put their stamp on it and a signature and name of a school official. It is also helpful if you supply us with a course description of each course in English. The course descriptions also need to be stamped by your school and submitted to HPU. Only then can we tell you how many credits you will receive. You are likely to receive transfer credits if you took university courses from an accredited college, and if the courses fit into your intended field of study at HPU.