Admissions Policies

Application Procedures

Applications are considered for either the fall or spring semester. Castleton's policy of "rolling admissions" means the Admissions Office process applications throughout the year until we determine that we have filled the class for each semester. Admissions reserves the right to close admission once the class is filled. Castleton accepts applicants for admission who are best suited in terms of academic preparation, character, ability and motivation to successfully meet the academic and social responsibilities of the university experience.

Qualified students are admitted without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, marital status or any other status protected by law.

To be considered for admission, students must successfully complete a college preparatory curriculum, including the following recommended profile of coursework:

4 years of English
3 years of Mathematics
2-3 years of Laboratory Science
3-4 years of Social Studies
2 years of Foreign Language (recommended but not required)

The University reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission based on changed circumstances or new information that comes to light, such as a criminal conviction or act of misconduct (before or after admission, but before enrollment or during any period of registration/orientation); falsification or misrepresentation during the application process; or lack of success in academic performance in the term or semester prior to enrollment.

First-Year Student Application Procedures

First-year students are those who have never attended a college or university after high school graduation or completion of high school equivalency. To be eligible to apply for admission to Castleton, a candidate must graduate from an accredited high school or possess a High School Equivalency Diploma. To be considered for admission, a candidate must submit a formal application along with the following:

1. An official high school transcript or documentation of a High School Equivalency Diploma (GED). Grades from the first quarter marking period of the senior year may be needed to render an admissions decision.
2. SAT or ACT scores. Scores are optional for those seeking admission in Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Fall 2022. Scores will be considered in review if submitted. Scores may be waived if applicants have been away from formal education for 3 or more years.
3. A $40 non-refundable application fee.
4. A written personal statement/essay of at least 250 words.
5. One letter of recommendation.

Applicants must request that a final official high school transcript showing date of graduation be sent to the Admissions Office to complete their file. Failure to submit proof of graduation may result in the withdrawal of the offer of admission.

Non-Traditional/Adult Student Application Procedures

Castleton encourages the applications of non-traditional students. As defined by the university, non-traditional students are generally students who want to pursue their university education after years away from formal education, have never attended any college or university. Such candidates must submit a formal application and the following materials:

1. An official high school transcript, or official scores from a high school equivalency exam (GED).
2. A $40 non-refundable application fee.
3. A written personal statement/essay of at least 250 words.
4. One letter of recommendation from an employer or person who is familiar with the applicant's motivation and work habits.

Transfer Student Application Procedures

Transfer students are those candidates who have attended any college or university (excluding dual enrollment in high school) prior to applying for admission to Castleton. To be considered for transfer admission to Castleton, a candidate must submit a formal application along with the following:

1. An official transcript from all previously attended colleges and universities (including from institutions attended at which no credits were earned).
2. An official high school transcript is required for those applicants who have earned 18 or fewer credit hours of college work.
3. SAT or ACT scores are recommended for candidates who have earned 18 or fewer credit hours of college work. Candidates who have been out of high school for more than three years may be exempt from submitting test scores. Castleton strongly recommends the submission of test scores if applicants have earned 18 or fewer credits and have them available. If applicants prefer not to submit scores or if they were not able to take the tests due to COVID-19, the admissions committee can waive the requirement.
4. A $40 non-refundable application fee. Students who have previously attended another Vermont State College System institution are exempt from paying this fee.
5. A written personal statement/essay of at least 250 words.
6. One letter of recommendation.

Early College

By special arrangement with the Vermont Department of Education and the local school district, Castleton will consider admitting as first-year students Vermont students who have completed the eleventh grade. Details concerning admission requirements for Early College can be obtained by consulting the secondary school guidance counselor and is available on the university website. Qualified out-of-state applicants who display exceptional ability and maturity will be considered for admission to Castleton upon completion of the third year of a secondary school program. Early College applicants must have the consent and cooperation of secondary school officials, and they are required to submit application and supporting materials and appear for a personal interview.

Advanced Placement

Many high schools offer their students the opportunity to take college-level courses. Two national testing programs (Advanced Placement/AP and College-Level Examination Program/CLEP) have been instituted to ascertain whether college-level learning has taken place in such courses. Each academic department at Castleton reviews the scores on these two tests, which will justify the award of credit by our registrar. Castleton will consider, for advanced placement and credit, those entering first-year students who qualify through the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination. A grade of three (3) or higher must be achieved, but final recommendation for credit rests with the department chair concerned. Some Canadian students may be able to transfer Ontario Academic Credit (OAC) from their provincial examinations.

Assessment of Prior Learning

Understanding that university-level skills and competencies may be achieved through direct experience on the job and in a variety of non-traditional settings, the Assessment of Prior Learning program provides a mechanism for the evaluation of such knowledge and the award of credit through the Vermont State Colleges. Further information is available in the Vermont State College Office of External Programs' publications, which may be obtained by contacting the Office of Admissions or a branch of the Community College of Vermont.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Castleton considers for credit the scores received on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Six credits may be given for each area of the General Examination on which a student achieves a satisfactory score. Three credits may be given for subject examinations on which a satisfactory score is achieved. Information regarding which academic department will approve subject examinations and satisfactory score levels may be obtained from the Transfer Evaluator located in the Registrar's Office.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission is awarded to applicants who demonstrate marginally adequate preparation for university work, but who, with a concerted effort, may be successful at Castleton.

Conditionally admitted students are recommended to connect with the Academic Support Center and are provided with more detailed information regarding academic support services.

Deferred Admission

A newly admitted student who has not attended classes and who has not resided on campus for any part of the regular semester may request a deferral of his/her admission to the next or following semester (up to one year). A request for deferral must be made prior to the start of the semester for which the student was originally admitted. The deferral will be given at the discretion of the Dean of Enrollment. If a deferral is granted, the non-refundable deposit, less charges incurred, will also be deferred. Under the agreement of the deferral, the student may not attend any other college or university during the deferment period (attending elsewhere will result in admission re-review).

After a newly admitted student has attended classes or has resided on campus, he/she may apply for a leave of absence from an academic dean. All rules with regard to refunds and leaves are in effect.

Deposits

To confirm an intended matriculation to the university, the accepted student is required to submit a deposit of $200 to the Admissions Office prior to May 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring enrollment. After these dates, deposits are non-refundable and will be accepted on a space-available basis. Deposits can be submitted as soon as the decision to attend Castleton has been made.

Early College Program

Castleton University welcomes academically talented and self-motivated high school juniors and seniors who wish to take university courses during their final two years before graduation. To be accepted to the program the student must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a junior or senior enrolled full-time in a Vermont high school. The program is also open to Vermont youth aged 16 and over who are enrolled in certified home school programs.

2. Submit a completed program application along with a letter of recommendation from a high school guidance counselor. Home-schooled students must provide two letters of recommendation from individuals other than family members who can attest to the student's preparedness for university-level work. All letters must confirm that the student has the prerequisite knowledge, skills, and personal traits to assure success in course work at Castleton.

3. Schedule an interview with a member of the Admissions staff at Castleton University.

A decision regarding acceptance into the program will be made by the university Admissions staff based on the documentation provided by the student and the personal interview. All students deemed to have appropriate abilities and attributes will be accepted into the program. Admissions staff will advise the student regarding course selection and will ultimately authorize the student's registration for courses.

Typically, students in this program will be permitted to register only for lower division (1000- and 2000-level) courses. Especially well-qualified students may be permitted to enroll in upper level courses, but requests to do so require the instructor's approval and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Registration is permitted on a space-available basis only.

A student may take no more than two courses per semester at the published rate. A student may take a maximum of eight courses in this program. Vermont high school students may be eligible for a voucher to take one free course in their junior year and then again in their senior year.

Students accepted to the program will pay a reduced rate per three-credit course (as published on our website here) plus any laboratory or studio fees. A student's continuing eligibility to participate in the program will be based in part on a review of past performance. Should the student have academic or personal difficulties that result in poor performance or otherwise negatively affect the academic environment of the university, acceptance into the program will be rescinded.

University credit will be awarded based on successful completion of the course(s). Participants in the early college program participants may not "audit" courses.

International Baccalaureate

Castleton welcomes students who have completed International Baccalaureate exams. Credit will be awarded on a course-by-course basis for higher-level exams completed with a score of 5 or higher with a maximum possible award of 24 credits.

International Students

Castleton welcomes international students.

Before the Admissions office can process international applications, staff must have assurance that international students meet Castleton's academic and financial requirements.  An international application is considered complete when the following have been submitted:

1. Completed application.
2. Official transcripts. Official diploma and transcript of the applicant's complete high school studies. If the applicant has completed at least one year of full-time college studies (all post-secondary studies), a high school transcript is not required. Transfer credits must be evaluated by an accredited service. All academic transcripts must be signed by the appropriate school or government official and must include the seal of the school or the government. If the documents are written in a language other than English, complete and certified true English translations must be furnished together with the official documents in that language. Photocopies or other copies must be certified true. Transcripts not in English must be translated and evaluated by a NACES accredited organization, such as SpanTran, WES, or ECE.
3. English proficiency tests. If English is not the applicant's first language, a minimum score of 71 iBT TOEFL, 6 IELTS, or 100 Duolingo English language test score is required. Other English language assessments may be substituted with permission from Castleton Admissions. Reported test scores must be from the previous two years. If the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo result does not meet the minimum score for admission, the applicant may be admitted to the Pathway Program for English Language Learners. This program is for students whose academic record is satisfactory, but who require further development in one or more English skills areas. The University's TOEFL code is 3765. SAT or ACT can be submitted to fulfill the test requirement. This option is popular with international first-year applicants whose native language is English or who have graduated from a high school where English is the instruction language. 
4. Application fee. This can be paid electronically after submitting the application. If applicants pay by check or money order, the $40 fee can be made payable to Castleton University. 
5. International Student Certification of Finances. Applications must be accompanied by certification that sufficient funds will be available to meet both the student's living and tuition expenses while attending Castleton University. Refer to the Confidential Financial Certification for details. 
6. One letter of recommendation. 
7. A copy of your passport ID page. 
8. Copy of your Visa. If applicants are currently in the U.S, they should enclose (a) a copy of their passport and visa pages, (b) a copy of their I-94 Card, and/or (c) a copy of their current I-20 or DS2019.

New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Castleton University supports the efforts of secondary school officials and governing bodies to have their schools achieve regional accredited status to provide reliable assurance of the quality of the educational preparation of their applicants for admission.

New England Regional Student Program

Under the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) agreement, students from other New England states may enroll in certain programs at Castleton as the complement to the Castleton program is not available in those students' home states. Such students pay a special tuition rate of 150% of the current in-state tuition.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their admissions materials early in the senior year and are identified by admissions as applying under a NEBHE Program based on application information. To qualify for the 150% tuition rate under the NEBHE agreement, the student must demonstrate eligibility and specify the program prior to admission.

After having been officially notified of acceptance by the University, a student under the NEBHE agreement may thereafter change programs without losing initial status, provided the program is authorized under the NEBHE agreement and provided the college approves the change.

As participants in the NEBHE Program, students must indicate through their course registration each semester that they are pursuing their initial program. If a change of major to another program covered by the NEBHE agreement for the student's state is planned, coverage will be continued and the tuition charge of 150% of in-state tuition will still be effective. Students who change their majors to those not covered by the NEBHE agreement for their states will be required to pay the out-of-state tuition rate.

Current New England Regional Student Program information can be found here.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Persons with adequate preparation for university-level work may be permitted to attend Castleton as Non-Degree seeking, or non-matriculated, students. Non-matriculated students seeking to register for classes should contact Financial & Registration Services.

Readmission to Castleton

Students applying for readmission to Castleton are required to submit a new application form and all credentials requested of transfer students.  The decision to readmit will normally be made by the dean of enrollment in consultation with an academic dean and the dean of students.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act

Per Section 103 of the Colmery Act:

Any covered individual, is permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a certificate of eligibility can also include a "Statement of Benefits" obtained from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) website - eBenefits, or VA 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from V A is made to the institution,
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Castleton University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual's inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Veteran Credit

A veteran may be allowed credit for courses or service schools as recommended by the American Council on Education. Active duty service personnel are advised to see their Education Officer about taking College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations.