Admissions Requirements

High school students/First-time Freshmen

Criteria for admission include a state-certified high school transcript or the completion of the GED, corresponding standardized test scores, and appropriate personal qualifications. Recommendations from high school guidance personnel, teachers and pastors may be examined concerning character traits and personal qualifications. We welcome applications from home school applicants. Students with the following admission criteria are more likely to succeed at McPherson College:

The following test-optional policy is for students entering the 2023-2024 academic year.

Conditional Acceptance Process

Students interested in pursuing conditional acceptance should contact the admissions office and will be asked to submit the following:

• Personal Statement – How do you plan to be academically successful in college? (400-500 words)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation from academic sources (e.g., teacher, principal, counselor)

Student-Athletes

A student can be admitted to McPherson College and NOT be eligible for NAIA intercollegiate competition. It is the player’s responsibility to be aware of the eligibility requirements set forth by the NAIA. Please refer to https://play.mynaia.org/ for more information.

We have a rolling admissions program. To be in the best possible position to qualify for course selection, hall assignment and financial aid, students are encouraged to complete the application for admission as early as possible.

A complete application includes:

• Application for Admission
• An official copy of your HS transcript with a minimum of 6 semesters (JR yr) of work
• ACT or SAT score report
  *Official copies of all HS transcripts will be required to complete your applicant folder.

A personal interview is NOT required for general admission. Although students who do not meet the minimum admissions requirements, may appeal or be referred to the Enrollment Committee for consideration. Please contact your Admissions Counselor for more information.

Transfer Students

Criteria for admission include

• Official copy of transcript(s) from all colleges or universities attended demonstrating satisfactory completion of 12 hours of college- level coursework.
• A minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0 from all transfer college-level coursework.

Only academic work from accredited institutions will be accepted at McPherson College. Credit accepted for transfer to McPherson College shall count as hours earned. Hours attempted and grade points achieved will not be transferred. Only courses in which a grade of C or better has been earned will be transferred as credit toward graduation. Consequently, a student’s grade point average will be dependent upon courses attempted at McPherson College.

Courses taken at another institution to replace a letter grade in a McPherson College course will not be accepted. McPherson College courses taken as a replacement course will be listed on the student’s transcript along with the initial and replacement course grades. Both course grades count toward a student’s cumulative GPA.

Applicants with fewer than 12 hours of college level credit may be required to take the ACT or SAT examination for diagnostic purposes.

Students who transfer to McPherson College will be expected to complete the general education requirements as outlined in this catalog. Transfer students holding an associate of arts or associate of science degree may be admitted with all earned credits transferring, and with general education foundation and distribution requirements met provided the student is not working toward teacher licensure. Students holding a certificate or degree other than an AA or AS will be evaluated on a course by course basis. Please refer to the General Education Requirements section.

Students wanting to transfer from McPherson College should work with the transferring institution in regards to their transfer credit policy since each institution decides what they will accept for credit.

Transfer students who have earned 64 credit hours may not transfer further two-year college credit. The last 60 hours of the bachelor’s degree must be taken at a four-year institution. Credit may be given for the service-training program conducted by the various branches of the Armed Services as recommended by the American Council on Education in “A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces.”

Reverse Transfer
McPherson College participates in a universal reverse transfer program with the Kansas Community Colleges. This program allows students to receive an associate’s degree from their most recent community college by combining credits earned at McPherson College with credits earned at the community college. Students who transfer at least 45 credit hours to McPherson College from Hesston College, Donnelly College, or any Kansas public community college are eligible to participate in the reverse transfer program.

Students who wish to participate should contact the Registrar’s Office and sign a Reverse Transfer Agreement. At the end of each semester, McPherson College will submit an official transcript back to the student’s community college for each student who is enrolled in the Reverse Transfer program and has at least 60 cumulative earned credit hours. Once the student has met all degree requirements for their declared associate’s degree, the community college will award the associate’s degree to the student.

International Student Process (first-time freshmen)

All non-United States citizens who are not permanent residents and who wish to study at McPherson College must complete the International Student Application.

Required Materials for Admission to McPherson College:

1. International Application for Admission
2. Evaluation of Secondary School Work
   • All students entering from a secondary school, college, or university outside the U.S. are required to complete an evaluation of academic records through INCRED https://www.incredevals.org/.
     • We are not able to move forward with the admissions process until we receive your evaluation from INCRED. Transcripts sent directly to the university without the evaluation will not be used for admissions.
3. Standardized Test Results: DUOLINGO, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, and ACT are all acceptable standardized tests.
   • Minimum scores required for admissions
     • SAT I combined score of 940 – McPherson College SAT code is #6404
     • ACT composite score of 18 – McPherson College ACT code is #1440
     • TOEFL score of 79
     • IELTS score of 6.5
     • Duolingo 110
   • Only exam results sent directly from the testing agency will be accepted.
4. A photocopy of your passport. To ensure that immigration documents are prepared accurately, please provide a copy of your valid passport.
   • This can be emailed to the admissions office at [email protected]

Once you have been admitted to McPherson College you will receive electronic notification of your acceptance.  In addition, you will receive information about required health insurance and housing.

The following is required before your I-20 will be issued.

• Signed 2024-2025 Affidavit for Sponsorship
• Bank statement reflecting the most recent six months of account activity.  The bank statement should reflect the name of the person accepting financial responsibility.
• $500 International Student Deposit

After your Deposit has been received your I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Immigrant (F-1) Status will be mailed with important information related to travel* and New International Student Orientation.

*McPherson College Admissions Office will arrange transportation pick-up from the Wichita, KS airport (ICT).