Palm Beach Atlantic University selects candidates for admission who display high academic quality and a solid commitment to faith. The following credentials are required to complete an application: academic transcripts, test scores (SAT and/or ACT), and an essay that details the intersection of the applicant’s faith journey with his or her collegiate goals.
PBA seeks to enroll a dynamic class of individuals with a variety of accomplishments, interests and attributes by evaluating each applicant’s academic record, essay, test scores, and extracurricular activities. Though a traditional entry term begins in the fall, PBA will accept applicants for spring and summer terms. The University will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, handicap, religion, national or ethnic origin. The mission statement from the Admissions Office states: “As admission professionals, we will serve the students in a holistic manner with integrity and truth, while guiding them towards the plans God has for them.”
Admission Requirements
Freshmen (Undergraduate)
Students may begin to apply for admission after their junior year in high school, and must submit the following credentials:
- A completed online application (https://www.pba.edu/apply-online).
- An essay that details the intersection of the applicant’s faith journey with his or her collegiate goals, and a nonrefundable $50 application fee.
- High school transcripts.
- Scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT)
High school course work should include at least 18 units of college preparatory courses: English (4 units), mathematics (3 units at a level of Algebra I or higher), natural science (3 units with substantial lab work), social science (3 units of history, government, economics, psychology, or sociology), and academic electives (5 units from above areas and from computer science, fine arts, foreign languages, and humanities). Some flexibility is permitted in choice of subjects. Students may be accepted for admission without the recommended number of courses in a particular field. The GED is acceptable as a substitute for a high school diploma.
The Admission Committee is concerned with the strength of the program, the academic grade point average (GPA), participation in extracurricular activities, and the student’s overall fit with the university.
Homeschooled Students
PBA welcomes applications from students with non-traditional high school experiences. We will need a formal document, preferably from a third-party organization, that will provide the curriculum studied and grades earned in each course. SAT and ACT scores are used to help assess college-level, academic readiness.
International Students
A prospective student who is not a citizen of the United States and is applying to PBA should submit an application at least four to six months prior to the desired date of entrance, and all required materials two to three months prior to registration. International students must submit the following items:
Freshmen
- A completed online application (https://www.pba.edu/apply-online).
- An essay that details the intersection of the applicant’s faith journey with his or her collegiate goals, and a nonrefundable $50 application fee (U.S. currency).
- For students whose first language is not English, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (213 for a computer-based test and 79 for an Internet based test) is required for acceptance.
- For students proficient in English, ACT or SAT scores are required.
- Official transcripts of secondary education, equivalent to graduation from an American High School (Transcripts from schools outside the U.S. must be evaluated on a document-by-document basis and have an accompanying GPA by Josef Silny & Associates, www.jsinly.com, or World Education Services www.wes.org).
Transfers
- A completed online application (https://www.pba.edu/apply-online).
- An essay that details the intersection of the applicant’s faith journey with his or her collegiate goals, and a $50 non-refundable application fee (U.S. currency).
- For students whose first language is not English, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (213 for a computer-based test and 79 for an Internet based test) is required for acceptance.
- Official college transcripts. (Transcripts from colleges or universities outside the U.S. must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis and have an accompanying GPA by Josef Silny & Associates, www.jsinly.com, or World Education Services www.wes.org).
In addition, the following documents are required by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to be submitted in order that an I-20 may be issued for the student to enter the country:
- Financial statement assuming responsibility for annual costs.
- Bank statement verifying adequate resources.
- Completed VISA clearance from institution (if transferring from U.S. institution).
Non-Degree Students
Students may be admitted to PBA on a non-degree basis. To be considered for non-degree status, please contact the admissions office at 561.803.2992. If the student desires to take a class at PBA that has pre-requisites, the student must supply official college transcripts with adequate completion of the needed requirements. If the student is interested in living on campus he or she must fulfill any requirements and apply for housing through Residence Life. The university reserves the right to deny housing to any student.
Non-degree students also have the ability to audit a course. When auditing a course, the cost for the course will be less but the student will not receive credit. Should the student decide to do this, he or she must apply for it through the admission office.
Students who have completed a degree and are seeking to fulfill pre-requisites for graduate school may also apply for admission as a non-degree student.
Transfer Students
Students must be eligible to return to their previous school and be in good standing. All transfer students must submit the following credentials:
- A completed online application (https://www.pba.edu/apply-online).
- An essay that details the intersection of the applicant’s faith journey with his or her collegiate goals, and a non-refundable $50 application fee.
- Official transcripts from all colleges previously attended (2.5 minimum GPA on at least 12 semester credit hours course work or equivalent). NOTE: Telefaxed documents, both academic and financial, may be used during the admission process; however, they are not a substitute for officials.
A transfer student who has been a full-time student for at least one semester and who has earned 12 or more college-level credit hours acceptable by PBA will not be required to submit ACT/SAT scores or a high school transcript. PBA will accept as transfer students only those in good standing at the last college attended.
Credit will be awarded for a course(s) completed at an institution accredited as degree-granting by a post-secondary regional accrediting commission at the time the course work was completed if the course(s) approximately parallels those at PBA and the student has earned a grade of “C-” or better. In order to register for subsequent semesters, official transcripts must be submitted directly to Palm Beach Atlantic University from every institution attended. This includes institutions where courses were attempted and not earned (Failing grades or Withdrawals). PBA reserves the right to research previous institutions attended through the National Student Clearinghouse database.
A student presenting transfer credit from an institution that was not accredited as degree granting by a post-secondary regional accrediting commission at the time the course work was completed may seek credit validation upon the successful completion of 30 credit hours at PBA, i.e., 2.0 PBA cumulative GPA or higher. For planning purposes, an unofficial evaluation of credit will be provided at the time of enrollment. Only courses that parallel those of PBA and for which a grade of “C” or better has been earned will be considered. Upon the completion of the residency requirement and satisfaction of the academic progress requirement, the unofficial evaluation will be validated and the courses will transfer as noted on the official evaluation. The student must submit written notification to the Office of the Registrar upon successful completion of the residency requirement.
Articulation Agreement: Any student completing an Associate of Arts degree from a regionally accredited Community College is guaranteed:
- Junior standing with the application of a minimum of 60 credit hours toward the baccalaureate degree; and
- Recognition of completion of the general education requirements, excluding Exploring the Bible, Christian Values and Biblical Faith, and Freedom in American Society.
Deadline for Completing Applications
Applications are accepted throughout the year. The Admission Review Committee convenes weekly from September through August using a rolling admission process in determining the status of each applicant. While there is no deadline, students are encouraged to apply early for opportunities in housing, registration, and financial assistance.
A mandatory $300 reservation deposit is required for all first-time students. This deposit holds the student’s registration and is refunded after the student is no longer enrolled at PBA.
Dual Enrolled High School Students
Students may be eligible to enroll in college-level courses at PBA at a reduced rate while still attending high school. To be eligible, the student should exhibit maturity and superior academic achievement. In addition, an application, high school transcripts showing a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and a letter of recommendation from the high school guidance counselor are required. Dual enrollment at reduced tuition is limited to the first 24 credit hours attempted. Instruction beyond 24 credit hours requires payment of the full undergraduate tuition rate. Only general education courses are offered to dual enrolled students, except when an upper level course is approved by the Dean of the department. Interested students should contact the Admission Office for details.
Early Action Junior Program
Students may be eligible to apply for admission to PBA while in their junior year to receive increased scholarship and benefits. To be eligible to apply, students must exhibit maturity and superior academic achievement, having at least a 3.5 GPA and at least a 1250 on the SAT (without the writing section) or a 28 on the ACT. Applications will open on November 15th and must be completed by March 31st of the student’s junior year in high school. A completed application includes the following: the online application, transcripts, tests scores, a character recommendation, and a phone interview. Applicants will be notified of a decision by April of their junior year and accepted students will receive an additional $3,000 per year, priority housing, registration and honors review, the first semester’s books paid, a parking garage decal paid the first semester, and an iPad upon matriculation to PBA. Though notified of a decision in their junior year, students will finish high school and matriculate after graduation. The Early Action Junior Program is a non-binding acceptance, but accepted students will be required to submit a non-refundable deposit of $300 by June 1st to save their spot in this scholarship program.
Early Admit-High School Scholars Program
Students may be admitted to PBA and begin their university careers at the end of their junior year in high school (omitting the senior year) if their academic achievement through grade 11 is superior; if they have the recommendations of their principal, guidance counselor, and parents; and if they show evidence of maturity necessary for university life. Regular admission procedures are required in addition to three letters of recommendation. If the student wishes to live in campus housing, he or she must fulfill all of the requirements and apply through Residence Life. The university reserves the right to deny housing to any student.
Readmission
PBA students who sit out one semester or more must apply online for readmission: http://www.pba.edu/admissions-forms. The Office of the Registrar advises all students who are readmitting. If the returning student has completed college-level work since leaving PBA, official transcripts from all institutions must be sent to the Office of the Registrar.
Supplemental Applications
Some programs will require either an audition or a supplemental application prior to declaring it a major:
- Music
- Theatre
- Dance
- Art
- Nursing
- Cinema Television
- Athletic Training
- Honors
- Pre-Health*
Transient Students from Other Institutions
PBA welcomes transient students who are regularly enrolled in other colleges and universities. An application for admission must be filed, and the student must also submit a letter of good standing from the institution in which he or she is currently enrolled. Transient study is usually limited to nine credit hours and students should obtain approval from the institution in which they are enrolled.
Waitlisted Students
Students may be waitlisted for admission if they do not meet the academic criteria at the point in which their application has been completed. While it is not necessary to provide updated transcripts or test scores, it is highly encouraged to demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence to the Committee..
Provisional Acceptance
Select admitted students may be subject to specific academic course requirements at the discretion of the Committee. Provisional courses may be either remedial or credit-seeking, and function as an academic support for students in both the mathematics and English disciplines.
Denied Students
At the discretion of the Committee, students may be denied by not meeting the academic criteria necessary for admission. Students who are denied may not reapply for admission until a full calendar year has passed. Students who wish to pursue enrollment at PBA after they have been denied must submit a new application and all required documents to the Office of Admissions.
*The Pre-Health Major application must be completed post-enrollment. |