We are excite that you are considering Leighton University as your next destination in your “preparation for the future" (Ad Vitam Parmus!). If you are a student who is a senior in high school, graduating soon, or if you are a student who has recently graduated and who has not enrolled in another college or university after graduating, you should apply for freshman admission. The Admissions Office considers a range of factors for all applicants when assessing each applicant's potential for academic success at Leighton, including academic preparation and potential, demonstrated achievement, personal background, personal and professional accomplishments since leaving school, and other components that suggest a status of college readiness. Applicants are encouraged to include a personal statement or academic explanation and a recommendation and support documents such as a resume, particularly if extenuating circumstances hampered prior classroom achievement.
First-Time Freshman Admissions Requirements
A First-Time Freshman has no previous college enrollment after high school. To be considered for admission, First-Time Freshman applicants must:
Admission Requirements
- Completed Online admissions application accessible at https://www.leighton-edu.us/application-form/
- Official high school transcript or GED certificate and copy of GED Scores.
- Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) (If student attended more than one high school, both transcripts are needed)
- Two letters of recommendations from a teacher or guidance counselor
High School Curriculum Requirements
To be admitted to the university, student must meet no less than the minimum requirement for a traditional high school diploma.*
- Earn 24 credits (Carnegie Units) in a selection of required classes including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Technology or Computer Science, College and Career Readiness, Health, Art, Physical Education and electives
- Local school districts may add graduation requirements to the state requirements
- Students must have a High School GPA of 2.0 or Higher
- Standardized Test Scores (ACT/SAT)
- Letters of recommendations from teacher of guidance counselor
*Important Note for First-Year Applicants
For all first-year (freshman) applicants who plan to enroll at Leighton University, we require that final grades be sent to Admissions Office directly from the high school. As a part of our process, we may contact you to verify transcript authenticity when we conduct our regular audits. The Admissions Office at Leighton University conducts audits to verify the authenticity of final transcripts for a random sampling of first-year applicants.
Placement Test
Based on a student’s major and previous college coursework, you may be required to take placement tests.
Other factors Considered When Reviewing Applications
GED, HiSET, or TASC exam results are considered in the Admission’s review for all freshman applicants and transfers with fewer than 26 college-level credits completed since exam completion. To be eligible for admission to the University, applicants must present the following results as part of a Complete Application:
- GED 2016: Minimum score of 145 on each of the four content area.
- GED 2014: Minimum 145 in each content area.
- GED 2002-2013: Minimum 550 in each content area.
- HiSET: Minimum 45 combined score with 8 or better in each content area and at least a 2 out of 6 on the essay.
- TASC: Minimum 500 in each content area with at least a 2 out of 8 on the essay.
Transfer Student Admissions Requirements
An applicant is considered transfer student if he or she had previously enrolled in any college-level coursework (at another college or university), full-time or part-time, since graduating from high school. An applicants is not considered transfer student if the only college-level classes he/she has taken were while enrolled in high school. To be considered for admission, the transfer student must report all previous college work and has a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Leighton University reviews applications for transfer admission on a rolling basis. The sooner you complete the application, the sooner the Admissions Office can decide.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completed Online Application
- Official College Transcript for each college/university attended
- FINAL Official High School Transcript or GED (MUST be submitted for students with fewer than 26 college credit hours)
- Applicant must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 from all post-secondary institutions
Nondegree Seeking Student Admissions Requirements
Students who wish to take Leighton’s courses but are not currently admitted to a degree program at the university are classified as "nondegree seeking students." An individual applying as nondegree student must have completed high school diploma or must have a high school equivalency credential. A student may remain as a nondegree seeking students for no more than 12 credit hours Upon which the student must convert his/her status to degree seeking student. Nondegree applicants under the age of 22 currently not enrolled in high school must meet criteria similar to first-year students entering the University. To determine eligibility to apply as a nondegree seeking student, an applicant must submit an unofficial copy of his/her high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores. Admission as nondegree student does not guarantee future admission to any degree program. A nondegree seeking students may also enroll for courses on a pass/fail basis. Courses completed with pass/fail are counted toward credit hour as permitted by the rules of the University and they achieve degree status once the student decides to pursue a degree program.