Academic Catalog 2016-2018 > Undergraduate Education General Degree & Admissions Information > Undergraduate Education General Admissions Information > First Year Students

First Year Students

Applications are reviewed when all of the following materials have been received:

1. Application form
2. Essay as described in the application
3. Official high school transcript (6 semester minimum) or proof of equivalency. At the time of matriculation, an official final high school transcript with proof of graduation is required. Please note: Official transcripts from any college(s) at which the applicant has done college-level coursework during high school must also be submitted, in order to determine whether there is any transferable college credit.
4. One recommendation from school faculty, administrator, and/or a counselor. Applicants who have been out of school for more than two years may submit a letter of recommendation from a professional colleague.
5. Official test scores from either the Scholastic Assessment Reasoning Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). The most favorable composite ACT score or combined math and critical reading score from the SAT test will be used for admission purposes and merit scholarship consideration. The SAT writing or ACT writing component is required for placement into courses, but not for admission purposes. To receive credit for Advanced Placement exams, please make sure all test results are submitted to the institution. Requests for exemption from the SAT/ACT policy may be made in writing to the Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions.

Information about these tests may be obtained at the student’s high school or by writing to:

Recommended Academic Preparation for Freshmen

Graduation from an accredited high school with a total of 15 units in college preparatory subjects, to include the following:

• 4 years of English
• 2 years of one International Language
• 2 years of college preparatory Mathematics: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, etc. (3 to 4 years preferred)
• 1 year of Lab Science to be taken in grades 10-12 (2 years preferred)
• 1 year of US History or one-half year of US History and one-half year US Government (2 years preferred); one year of World History or Western Civilization is an acceptable alternative for international students

The University encourages students to choose additional courses in at least two of the following areas: Art, Computer Science, English, History, International Language, Music, and Social Science.

Home Schooled Student Applicant Requirements

Home schooled students bring unique qualities to our campus, and we welcome their interest in Dominican University of California. The Office of Admissions provides the following guidelines to help home schooled applicants become eligible for admission consideration.

• If any courses have been taken online through a home school umbrella program or an accredited college or university, or at a local high school, college or university, official transcripts must be provided.
• For the years of high school and/or subject areas for which there is no official transcript, responsibility for documenting the course of study rests with the student. A detailed outline of the home school curriculum, including subject areas studied, level of instruction, time spent on each discipline, texts read, work produced and assessment of performance or grade must be submitted. In addition, please provide a short narrative, written by the person other than yourself who has been most responsible for your overall academic program, providing a summary of your instruction in recent years.
• Home school students are required to submit official test scores from either the SAT or ACT. Test scores are waived if the student graduated high school more than two years ago.
• Home school students are not required to present an equivalency diploma to be considered for admission, however, Dominican requires all admitted students to present proof of graduation. Admitted home school students must submit a home school diploma (a certificate of completion that is considered the equivalent of a high school diploma in the applicant's home state), or results from aGED test prior to enrollment at Dominican.
• We strongly encourage home school students to visit campus and complete an admissions counseling appointment with a member of our admissions staff.