Policy

Application for Admission

Application for admission must be filed in the Office of Admission on the campus the student plans to attend. It must be accompanied by an application fee. A registration fee and room deposit, if applicable, is requested when the applicant is accepted for admission. 

For prospective international undergraduate students, the international application for admission and the list of the required application materials are available online.

First Years

To be considered for admission, students must ordinarily have earned a high school diploma from a secondary program accredited by their respective state departments of education or the General Education Diploma (GED) of High School Equivalency and be at least 16 years of age.

Students who complete their secondary education through an alternative program (graduates of non-state-chartered or non-accredited secondary programs or home-schooled students), and have not earned the GED may be considered for admission by presenting credentials that demonstrate levels of academic achievement, ability, and performance equivalent to that of graduates of state accredited high schools.

Candidates for admission to all campuses must present documentation of their academic achievement and performance. Official transcripts of all coursework taken in high school and/or a Certificate of a General Education Diploma (GED) of High School Equivalency must be submitted.

Students who have not graduated from a state-chartered or accredited high school or do not have a GED must also submit a description of the curriculum and educational resources used over the last four years. If sufficient information necessary to assess the academic achievement and ability of the applicant is not provided, applicants may be requested to submit samples of work in such areas as English, mathematics, natural science, social studies, foreign language, and fine arts demonstrating their achievement and ability.

Open Admission

The regional campuses have an open admission policy for first-time college students.  Open admission is granted to individuals who have earned a high school diploma from a secondary program accredited by state departments of education or are recipients of the General Education Diploma (GED) of High School Equivalency. Alternatively educated students who have not earned the GED can demonstrate equivalent levels of academic achievement by submitting a description of the curriculum and educational resources used over the last four years and information necessary to assess the academic achievement and ability of the applicant. Admission is for fall or spring semester; however, students have the option of early enrollment to the preceding summer or winter term.

Selective Admission

Miami’s Oxford campus typically receives more applications for admission than it can accommodate. Therefore, admission to the Oxford campus is selective. The review process is individualized and holistic. Admission is based on academic performance (strength of curriculum, class rank, and grade point average), test scores if provided, secondary school experience and community activities, personal essay, and recommendations of the high school. In making admission decisions, Miami also considers the applicants’ special abilities, talents, and achievements. Admission is for fall or spring semester; however, students have the option of early enrollment as a non-degree student for the preceding summer or winter term.

Pathways Program 

Pathways is for students who have a solid academic record but who do not initially receive full admission to Miami's main campus in Oxford.

Pathways students begin their college career with a dedicated advisor to facilitate the transition to college and the students' overall success in the program as they live and study in Oxford. The only differences between Pathways student experiences and those of other Miami Oxford students are:

• Some first-year, core courses in Oxford may be taught by Miami faculty who are based primarily on our Regional campuses.
• Students are advised by a Student Success Navigator in the Student Success Center who will ensure access to all of the resources Miami has to support students academically.
• Pathways students must complete two full-time semesters and maintain satisfactory academic and behavior standing at Miami in order to remain on the Oxford campus. After one year and successfully completing Pathways program requirements, students transition to a less structured academic program, with Oxford coursework and academic advising.

Scholastic Enhancement Program

Persons admitted to Miami’s Oxford campus who show academic promise, but whose academic profiles, as evaluated by the Office of Admission and the Director, Rinella Learning Center, suggest potential difficulty in completing a Miami degree will be required to work with the Scholastic Enhancement Program (SEP) and follow individually developed educational plans provided by that program, which may include: additional assessment of academic skills; early advising and supervised course selection; academic and personal counseling; and selected other scholastic enhancement activities. Mandatory participation will be required of all participants for at least two years, or until participants achieve program release standards. Persons admitted under this educational plan will be refused course registration for subsequent semesters if they do not fulfill the requirements of the Scholastic Enhancement Program.

Curriculum Standards

Prospective students who intend to complete a baccalaureate degree are expected to have completed four units of college preparatory English, four units of college preparatory mathematics (including algebra II), three units of college preparatory natural science (including both a physical and a biological science), three units of college preparatory social studies (including one unit of history), and one unit of fine arts (including art, drama, or music, either appreciation or performance). Students not meeting these specific curriculum standards will not be denied admission to Miami if they are otherwise qualified. Instead, they will be required to complete additional courses after they enroll. These courses will count toward graduation, and many of them can fulfill other requirements. They are regular college courses, not remedial courses.  Students do not need to fulfill these requirements to complete an associate degree.

Students graduating from high school prior to 1986 must have completed 17 units of study, at least ten of which must include any combination of English, speech, mathematics, science, history, social studies, and foreign language.

International Student Admission

Basic requirements for direct admission of international students to a Bachelor’s Degree program include the following: 

• Completion of formal secondary education in a pre-university curriculum as demostrated through academic records.
  • Academic records include all secondary school studies, beginning with 9th grade through the most current available at the time of application.
  • Final and official secondary school academic transcripts along with proof of secondary school graduation is required before enrolling at Miami.   Completion must include the awarding of a diploma or the issuance of a leaving certificate or matriculation certificate generally recognized as the educational qualification necessary for admission to higher studies.
  • Students who completed secondary school two or more years ago must also submit any and all external examination results (IGCSE, GCE, WASSCE, KCSE, etc.) as issued by the examining board with their applications. Official or verified results may also be requested at the time of application.
• Adequate financial support: as evidenced by the submission of the online estimated financial support form.
  • The Financial Estimate Form will be available after submitting an admission application. The form can be found and completed on the student Application Status page.
•  Proof of English Language Proficiency with English language ability at a level sufficient to undertake a full course of study.
  • For more information on meeting this qualification, see Miami University's English Language Proficiency. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) scores (if applicable).International students are not required to provide an ACT or SAT score, but they may use the ACT or SAT to satisfy English language proficiency requirements.
• Copy of Passport or National ID card
  • All international applicants and international students who are visa holders in the US must also provide a copy of their current visa or immigration status.

Prior to enrollment, students must also provide required documents for a student visa.  An I-20 visa document is required to obtain a student visa and to enroll as an international student at Miami University. Students offered admission are required to submit the following items:

• Completed online Financial Support Form.Documentation of financial support, such as a bank statement dated not more than one year prior to your intended date of entry. (Tax returns or letters of employment/income are not acceptable.)
• Documentation of financial support, such as a bank statement dated not more than one year prior to your intended date of entry. (Tax returns or letters of employment/income are not acceptable.)

English Proficiency

International applicants (non-immigrants with F-1 or J-1 or other visa status) whose native language is not English are required to submit evidence of English language proficiency prior to admission review. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements may be offered direct admission to a bachelor’s degree program.

Acceptable test scores and qualifications that meet Miami's minimum English language proficiency requirements for direct admission as well as approved exemptions can found on the English Proficiency webpage.  Undergraduate international students, like all Miami undergraduates, must satisfy the freshman English requirement. If accepted, the student may be required to take a Department of English placement examination before registering for classes. Students will be placed in the appropriate English courses based on test scores or other English proof of proficiency received at the time of admission. Consult the  Miami Bulletin-General Edition.

Transfer Students

Eligibility

Students who have attended another college or university in which they have been registered for one or more courses must apply for admission as transfer students and notify Miami of all colleges or universities where they were registered. Each student must submit an official transcript and evidence of honorable separation from each institution in which the student has been registered, regardless of whether or not credit has been granted and whether or not the student desires to receive transfer credit. Submitted transcripts will not be returned to the student, nor sent elsewhere at the student’s request. Posted transfer work will not be removed. However, students whose only college credits have been earned while attending high school are not considered transfer students, but such credit is subject to all regulations on transfer credit (see below concerning advanced placement credit).  Upon receipt of evidence of an acceptable conduct record from the institutions where registered, Miami University will determine the student’s admission status by grade point average (on a 4.00 basis) on all non-remedial previous college work attempted as follows:

1. Miami Oxford:
   1. If the average is 2.00 or higher, the student is eligible for admission consideration.
   2. If the average is below 2.00 the student is not eligible for admission consideration unless he or she has not been a student at any college or university for the two calendar years preceding the term for which application is made. The decision will be made on the basis of the college transcript and supportive information requested by the Office of Admission.
2. Miami Regionals:
   1. If the average is 2.00 or higher, the student is eligible for admission consideration.
   2. If the average is below 2.00 and the student has not been a full-time student at any college or university for the two calendar years preceding the term for which application is made, the decision will be made on the basis of college transcript and supportive information requested by the Regional Office of Admission.
   3. If the average is below a 2.00, the student may be considered for admission under “Academic Warning” on the basis of the college transcripts, interview and additional information requested by the Regional Office of Admission.

Acceptance of qualified transfer students will depend on the availability of facilities. Transfer credit for new transfer students will be posted to fall or spring semester academic records. Admission is for fall or spring semester; however, students have the option of early enrollment as a non-degree student for the preceding summer or winter term. (See also, transcript submission)

Non Degree Students

A non-degree student is one who is not seeking a degree at Miami University and who has earned a high school diploma from a secondary program accredited by their respective state departments of education or the General Education Diploma (GED) of High School Equivalency and be at least 16 years of age. This now includes students previously identified as visiting, transient, or unclassified.  

The admission application and requirements for non-degree students are available online and include: an unofficial high school transcript with graduation date or unofficial college transcript from the student’s current, or most recent, institution attended. Miami employees do not need to submit transcripts.

While attending Miami non-degree students are subject to all rules, regulations, and fees governing degree-seeking students. The admission of qualified non-degree students will depend on the availability of facilities in any given semester or term.

Dual Enrollment Students

Senior Citizens

Ohio law provides an opportunity for persons sixty years of age or older who have resided in Ohio for at least one year to attend classes without paying tuition or admission fees, provided the attendance is for audit basis, is in courses where classroom space is available, and is approved by the instructor. Fees such as lab fees and books are a responsibility of the senior citizen.

Related Form(s)

• Application Form
• Transfer Appeal Form
• Change of Campus Form for Fall Semester

Additional Resources and Procedures

Websites

• TOEFL
• IELTS
• Transferology
• List of Forms
• Post Secondary Enrollment Information
• One Stop
• Your Records to Locate Appropriate Form
• Student Health

FAQ

Not Applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2027

Responsible Officer

Senior Associate Registrar

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

Yes

Revision History

Amended July 2018; Edited July 2019; Revised July 2026

Reference ID

Student Handbook 1.1

Reviewing Bodies

• University Senate
• Administrative