2006–2007 - Florida Institute of Technology

Undergraduate Information and Regulations
New Student Information
Admission
Requirements for Freshman Admission
The admission office carefully reviews all candidates for admission,
using several criteria to evaluate a student’s ability to complete
several years of rigorous study. Applications are reviewed
with reference to specific degree programs or for admission to
first-year programs in engineering, science and general studies.
The criteria considered include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• High school curriculum
• Performance in high school course work
• Class standing (rank in class)
• SAT I or ACT results
• Teacher recommendations
• Experiential essay
• Participation in special classes, clubs or teams that involve
research projects/opportunities and advanced problem-solving
techniques
Although an admission interview is not required, campus
visits and interviews with admission counselors are highly
recommended.
Admission Guidelines
Applicants must demonstrate readiness to succeed in a challenging
curriculum. The high school transcript is the most
important element of the application. While no minimum grade
point average, class rank or standardized test score is specified,
these measures must indicate a readiness for college studies in a
chosen academic program. Similarly, the courses taken in high
school should be commensurate with the degree program to
be followed. Science and engineering applicants, in particular,
should take the most rigorous and advanced science and mathematics
courses their high schools offer. For all applicants, the
nature and estimated difficulty of the courses selected in high
school, as well as the grade point average, will be an important
factor in the selection process. An applicant who is a U.S. citizen
must have earned a high school diploma or high school equivalency
diploma by the date of first enrollment.
International applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be
evaluated on the basis of the same criteria as all other students
except that SAT or ACT scores are not required.
English language proficiency is not required for admission,
but enrollment in academic courses will be limited for all
whose native language is not English until proficiency can be
demonstrated. The ways in which English proficiency may be
established, either in advance of enrollment or after arrival at
Florida Tech, are described under “Languages and Linguistics” in
the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts section of this catalog,
along with references to the Florida Tech courses available to
help establish proficiency.
16 Florida Tech
A home schooled applicant must submit a transcript of academic
work including an assessment of the level attained in
mathematics and the sciences, and the texts that were used; a
self-descriptive, one-page essay that includes academic, community
and athletic accomplishments, career goals and work
experience; and SAT I or ACT scores. Although SAT II scores
are not required, it is strongly suggested that SAT II results in
Mathematics Level II and English Composition be submitted.
An early admission applicant must have completed those high
school courses that are indicators of success for the chosen
degree program, and must provide a letter from the high school
specifying the requirements that must be completed for the high
school diploma to be earned. The admission decision will be
based on the same criteria as listed above for all other students.
Transfer applicants must provide official transcripts from all colleges
and universities previously attended. An applicant who has
earned less than 30 semester hours of credit must submit a high
school transcript and SAT I or ACT scores.
Special High School or Community College Dual Enrollment
Upon application, Florida Tech may grant “special status” to an
outstanding junior or senior enrolled in a high school in Brevard
County, or an outstanding community college student from
Brevard or Indian River Community Colleges. Enrollment is
tuition-free allowing one class for community college students
and up to a maximum of 12 credit hours for high school students.
Registration is on a class-by-class space-available basis. Interested
students should contact Florida Tech’s Office of Admission for
application materials and the policy agreement.
Senior Citizen Program
The senior citizen program allows individuals age 65 and over to
enroll in courses for credit or audit without charge. Participation
in this program is restricted to individuals who are seriously committed
to learning and to courses taught on the main campus in
Melbourne, Florida.
A prospective student wishing to enroll in the senior citizen program
must apply for admission as a non-degree-seeking student
and be admitted. All records of any prior postsecondary course
work must accompany the application. Copies of transcripts are
acceptable in lieu of official transcripts. If no previous postsecondary
course work was completed, proof of high school graduation
is required.
A brief statement of “Qualifications through Life Experience”
may be submitted with the application. A statement of educational
goals and a determination by the appropriate admission
office (undergraduate or graduate) that the applicant’s educational
and life experience history supports a reasonable expectation
of successful accomplishment of those goals are necessary.
Enrollment is permitted based on space availability, following the
last day of class in the preceding semester or summer term.
Credit by Examination
Placement Examinations
Placement examinations are administered by the Academic
Support Center to new freshmen during the orientation period
each semester. Academic credit can be earned on the basis of