Clark Atlanta University: A Comprehensive Guide to Admissions

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) encourages students from all backgrounds to apply, whether they are undergraduates, graduates, transfers, or international students. The university seeks students ready to grow academically, personally, and socially, viewing the application process as a way to understand each applicant's unique story, strengths, and dreams. CAU's admissions review goes beyond test scores, considering personal interests, experience, creativity, and potential to thrive in the CAU community.

Undergraduate Admissions

Prospective undergraduate students can choose from over 40 majors designed for future leaders. The university emphasizes a holistic approach to admissions, considering various factors beyond academic metrics.

Key Factors in Undergraduate Admission

Academic Record: A final high school transcript showing marks for each grade is required. GED, HiSET, or other high school equivalency credentials are accepted in place of a final high school transcript. College transcripts are required from all institutions you have attended.
GPA: While specific GPA range information is not available, Clark Atlanta University requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants.
Test-Optional Policy: Clark Atlanta University is test-optional, so SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission.
Recommendations: Recommendations are considered if submitted. Clark strongly prefers a letter of recommendation from a faculty member at your most recently attended college or university.
College Preparatory Courses: Required.
High School Rank: Required.
Personal Qualities: The admissions committee looks for innovative thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and socially conscious leaders ready to make an impact.

Transfer Students

Clark Atlanta University welcomes transfer applications and considers an applicant's overall academic record. Improvements in academic performance from high school to college are taken into consideration, as an upward trajectory in academic performance often indicates you learned the skills necessary to succeed at Clark.

Credit Transfer: Students may receive transfer credits for graduate coursework earned at regionally accredited colleges and universities toward a maximum of 25% of the requirements in a given program of study. However, individual schools or departments may require further restrictions. Courses to be transferred must be reviewed and approved for equivalencies by the Department Chair and the School Dean and must be in alignment with the student’s degree program requirements.
Full-Time Enrollment: Transfer applications received at the Undergraduate Admissions Office are only considered for full-time enrollment, which is typically four courses (4 Clark Units) per semester.
On-Campus Living: Clark students are required to live on campus up to the end of their sophomore year, and this is applicable to transfer students.

Application Requirements for Transfer Students

College transcripts are required from all institutions you have attended.
A College Report Form should be completed by the registrar, dean of students, or another college official with access to the student’s records.
If you are currently in your first full-time semester of college, you must submit a Mid-Term Report Form from your current college or university.

Graduate Admissions

Clark Atlanta University also offers a range of graduate programs. Admission to these programs requires specific criteria and documentation.

General Requirements for Graduate Admissions

Baccalaureate Degree: Graduate applicants must have attained a Baccalaureate Degree from a recognized college or university to be considered for graduate admissions.
GPA: Students who apply for admission to Clark Atlanta University from another accredited college or university must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and be in good disciplinary standing at the last institution attended.
Conditional Admission: Applicants who do not meet the GPA or prerequisite requirements may be “conditionally” admitted to a graduate degree program based upon favorable recommendations by the School Dean and Chairperson of the major academic department. At the time of admission, the Chairperson of the major academic department specifies conditions in writing to remedy deficiencies and advancing to unconditional admission. Graduate students who are conditionally admitted are expected to enroll as full-time students. Upon the completion of nine (9) credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, the student will be admitted to unconditional status.

Special Student Admission

Any individual, upon the satisfactory demonstration of appropriate prerequisite courses, training or knowledge may be admitted as a student to take graduate courses for audit or credit independent of a degree program after having received the favorable recommendation from a School Dean and Department Chair. Such individuals may not accumulate more than twelve (12) credit hours as a special student.

International Student Admissions

Clark Atlanta University encourages students from other countries to apply for admissions into the University for undergraduate and graduate studies. Applicants from other countries may be admitted for either, the fall semester (August), spring semester (January) or summer session (June).

Application Deadlines

In order to ensure ample time for enrollment for a specific term, the application for admission and all supporting documents must be on file by the deadlines established for application to the University for the term for which admission is sought.

Document Requirements

Applicants from other countries are required to submit documents in English certified by appropriate officials.

Financial Requirements

Clark Atlanta University does not provide financial assistance to international students studying on a nonimmigrant visa who are ineligible for federal student aid. Therefore, prospective students must demonstrate the ability to pay for their educational expenses, processing fees, and other costs associated with application for admission to Clark Atlanta University.

English Language Proficiency

Nonetheless, the University requires a minimum score of 500 on the paper examination or 173 on the computerized examination of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Test System (IELTS) minimum of 4.5.

Read also: Employment at Clark University

Visa Information

When academic, language and financial abilities are certified, Clark Atlanta University will issue an I-20 or DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility). Consulate to apply for a nonimmigrant student visa. Form DS-2019 (J-1 exchange visitor visa certificate) is usually issued to students who are funded by their home government or by an international organization.

Passport: A travel document issued by a competent authority (usually the government of the student's country of citizenship) showing the bearer's identity, origin, and nationality, which is valid for entry into a foreign country.
Visa: A visa to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant is a stamp or affixed on a page of the passport. It enables the passport bearer to request the immigration officer at the port of entry to grant admission to the United under conditions specified for the type of visa the bearer holds.

Important Immigration Documents

Form I-94 - Arrival/Departure Record.
Form I-20 - Certificate of Eligibility: This document is issued to an admitted student who has shown proof of financial support for his/her studies to allow him/her to obtain a student visa (F-1) or to change from another visa status to student visa status. Students are to retain a copy of this form for travel. It must be revalidated annually for travel of the student, or for travel of dependent of student (F-2).
Form IAP-66 - Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor status (J-1): This form is issued by the Exchange Visitor's program sponsor indicating the term of appointment, length of stay, program definition, and financial arrangements.
Form I-538.
Form I-506: This form is an application for change of nonimmigrant status.
Form I-34 - Affidavit of Support.

Maintaining Immigration Status

Nonimmigrant students must register for and complete a full course of study during the academic year (Fall and Spring Semesters) in order to maintain their student status. Any student registering for less than a full course of study must have a letter on file with the Dean of Multicultural Affairs, from his/her academic advisor, department chair, or a physician explaining the need for a reduced load. Students entering Clark Atlanta University after attending another academic institution in the United States must file a notification of transfer with the Immigration and Naturalization Service within thirty (30) days of matriculating at Clark Atlanta University. Students should see the Dean of Multicultural Affairs to complete this process.

Additional Information

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Clark Atlanta University is 64.6%, indicating that the university is moderately selective.

Standardized Testing

SAT Scores: The 25th percentile SAT score is 880, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1120.
ACT Scores: The average ACT score at Clark Atlanta University is 20. The 25th percentile ACT score is 18, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 21. Clark Atlanta University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

Readmission

Any student who is not continuously enrolled or who is absent from a regular semester, excluding summer session, must apply for readmission. Requests for readmission must be submitted with supporting materials not later than sixty (60) days prior to the first day of classes of the term for which readmission is sought. Students seeking readmission to the University must satisfy all prior financial obligations.

Veteran Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits

Eligible students must have all admission requirements completed same as those of other applicants for admission to the University and must be fully admitted into a degree program before Enrollment Certification (VA Form 22-1999) can be submitted to the Veterans Administration. Any student expecting to receive VA Educational Benefits is required to enroll with the VA Certifying Officer, located in the University Registrar’s Office, prior to the close of the registration for a given semester. The applicant must file a Veterans Application for VA Educational Benefits (www.gibill.va.gov/apply-forbenefits/application/). Once approved by the VA the applicant will receive a Certificate of Eligibility which should be submitted to the VA Certifying Officer along with a certified copy of the applicant’s DD-214 if applicable.

Read also: Clark's NBA Prospects

Disciplinary Matters and Criminal Convictions

A disciplinary matter or criminal conviction, whether occurring prior to the time of application, while the application is under review, or after the admission decision has been made, may affect the Committee’s decisions regarding admission or enrollment. Clark Atlanta University reserves the right to revoke admission or enrollment in such circumstances. In addition, because offers of admission and enrollment are based upon a record of academic achievement, CAU reserves the right to revoke admission or enrollment upon receipt of a final high school transcript (or most recent college transcript) reflecting a significant decline in academic performance.

tags: #Clark #Atlanta #University #admissions #requirements