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    UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONSWelcome to Bellarmine

    Arial photo of campus from Newburg Road

    Join Knights Nation.

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    CONNECT. TRANSFORM. SUCCEED.

    When you become a Bellarmine Knight, you join a close-knit community that becomes family. Your teachers will know your name and be staunch advocates for your success. We will work to personalize your support to ensure your success, every step of the way. Fellow students will have your back – because you will also have theirs.

    Becoming a Bellarmine Knight means being exactly where you need to be to get where you want to go, and we have the numbers to back it up. And most families and students are surprised to learn how affordable Bellarmine is, and there are many ways to make your education affordable.

    Questions? Find your counselor who will be glad to help.

    AT A GLANCE

    98%

    of grads working or continuing education

    First-Destination Survey
    50k

    average starting salary

    #1

    College location in Kentucky

    RECOGNIZED AS A

    #1

    Catholic college in Kentucky NICHE.COM
    #2

    among Kentucky colleges for salary potential
    #3

    grad rate among Kentucky public & private non-profit colleges
    12:1

    STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO

    92%

    of grads are in their field of study

    No. 1

    for mid-career salaries among featured Kentucky universities

    Excellence within Reach

    We offer a variety of scholarships grants and awards to help make it easier for you to attain a top-notch education. With our Public Price Promise, you’ll get the distinction of a private, liberal arts learning experience for the same price as a state school.

    Average Comprehensive Package: $39.6K*
    Average institutional Aid: $28.4K 

    *with loans

     

    Successful Outcomes

    Bellarmine closely measures what matters most — student success. Each year, graduate data confirms that Bellarmine’s liberal arts curriculum — coupled with a strong emphasis on experiential, hands-on learning — nets results like no others. Our graduates report higher wages, levels of employment and job satisfaction than graduates from other universities.

    98% of BU Grads are Employed or in Grad School within 6 Months of Graduation

     

    Experience Bellarmine

    Check out our virtual tour, or explore campuys through videos and photos.

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    ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

    Check out the resources below to start your college journey.

    Admission Requirements

    To help you set off on the right foot, select from the options below to learn more about your next steps.

    Select an Admission Type
    • First Year
    • Transfer Students
    • International Students
    • Homeschool Students
    • Dual Credit Students
    • Veterans
    • Visiting Students
    • Readmit Students
    • Post-Baccalaureate Students
    • Early Entry Admission Program
    • A completed online application through CommonApp or Bellarmine App.
    • Entrance exam (ACT or SAT I) or a request to have your application reviewed as Test Optional. We also accept Superscores.
    • An official transcript from the high school last attended or, for those who have not completed their high school work, a General Educational Development (GED) test score.
    • For students who intend to apply for a full-tuition scholarship: recommendation letter from high school counselor or teacher.
    • A completed online application form.
    • Official college transcript mailed directly from each college attended.
    • For students who have earned fewer than 60 hours of college coursework, an official high school transcript, GED, or home school completion or diploma is required.
    • For students who have earned fewer than 24 hours of college coursework:
      1. An official copy of the high school transcript, GED, or home school completion or diploma.
      2. ACT or SAT scores (not required for applicants who have been out of high school for five years or more).
      3. A 200-word (minimum) essay may be required if requested. It should address your personal or professional goals.
    • A completed online application form.
    • Credentials & Transcripts: Undergraduate applicants who have attended secondary, and post-secondary schools, colleges, universities, or professional institutions outside the United States must submit their academic records to SpanTran or World Education Services, Inc. (WES) for a course-by-course evaluation.
    • Language Proficiency: TOEFL: The minimum scores are: Paper-based test 550, Internet-based test 79 or 80, or Computer-based test 213, MELAB: Obtain a score of 78 or higher, IELTS: Obtain a score of 6.0 or higher. Duolingo English Test: Obtain a score of 105 or higher (The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, for under an hour for only $49. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with Bellarmine University when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session).
      1. Language training at an approved center.
      2. Prior educational experiences in TOEFL Exempt Countries. Students who have a secondary or high school diploma earned in TOEFL-exempt countries have met the requirement. Additionally, international students who have completed at least one year of full-time university study or its equivalent (i.e., a minimum of 24 earned credit hours or its equivalent and earned a 2.0 GPA) in an exempt country have met the requirement.
      3. ACT or SAT. Students for whom English is a second language and have outstanding language skills may submit either ACT (21 composite or higher) or SAT (1060 or higher) scores in lieu of other evidence.
      4. Proof of Funding: A bank statement or letter of commitment demonstrating the ability to fund the cost of attending Bellarmine University for one academic year.
      5. Letter of Recommendation: Applicants must obtain at least one letter of recommendation from a prior teacher, professional academic counselor, or another individual whose professional standing is appropriate to access the student’s ability to succeed in college and who is aware of the student’s language skills.
    • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admission.
    • Submit official ACT/SAT scores.
    • A transcript or list of courses completed including a grading scale that states the numerical value of a letter grade.
    • A recommendation from the school counselor or person (coach, pastor, etc) that can speak of the student’s character and academic ability.
    • If any high school credit was earned in a formal high school setting, the applicant must supply a copy of the official partial transcript from the respective school.
    • Bellarmine University allows high school students with qualified academic credentials to enroll in our courses. There are two programs a student may be granted admission for Bellarmine credit –Dual Credit and College Credit.
    • Dual Credit is defined as a course taken at Bellarmine in which a student is simultaneously earning high school and college credit. Students enrolled in dual credit will have a tuition rate of $52 a credit hour.
    • High school students wanting to enroll in college courses at Bellarmine could earn these credits through our College Credit program. College credit courses are courses taken at Bellarmine for college credit and are not courses that also earn high school credit. Students enrolled in college credit will have a tuition rate of $170 a credit hour.
    • Students must complete an application for admission and submit an official high school transcript and a test score from either the ACT or SAT.
    • Kentucky Dual Credit Scholarship Program
      Residence of Kentucky attending a Kentucky high school could qualify for the Kentucky Dual Credit program. If a student were eligible, the student would receive a scholarship through the state of Kentucky to cover the $52 a credit hour tuition. Funds are disbursed to the eligible student’s high school and the high school will pay the dual credit course fee.
    • Criteria for admission:
      1. Student must be enrolled in a college preparatory curriculum.
      2. Student must have earned a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.25.
      3. Student must have a minimum composite ACT score of 23 or a combined evidence-based reading and writing, and a math score of 1130 on the SAT.
    • Bellarmine University is committed to providing excellent assistance and resources to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans who are high school graduates or have submitted satisfactory General Educational Diploma (GED) test scores may be admitted without respect to their high school class standing or entrance test scores, provided they submit DD Form 214 as proof of their military standing. To apply, submit a completed application form, DD Form 214, an official transcript from the high school you last attended, and, if not a high school graduate, GED test scores to the Office of Admission. Bellarmine participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill, including the Yellow Ribbon Program. For more information on these programs please visit our website.
    • Persons enrolled in other accredited colleges or universities may take courses at Bellarmine University during any semester. A record of the coursework done at Bellarmine will be maintained and sent upon request to the student’s home institution. The following items are required:
      1. A completed online application form.
      2. For students taking upper-division courses, an official transcript is required to determine if prerequisite courses have been met. After visiting, if a student becomes degree-seeking, an additional official transcript is not required.
    • A readmit student is a student who has previously attended Bellarmine. The following items are required:
      1. Complete a short version of the application here.
      2. Official copies of transcripts from all schools attended since the last admission to Bellarmine.
      3. Students applying for readmission who have been previously dismissed from Bellarmine, refer to the Readmission After Dismissal section of the catalog.
    • Students interested in Bellarmine's postbaccalaureate, accelerated, professional, second-degree programs in Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Respiratory Therapy, and those interested in the postbaccalaureate Accounting Certificate program make applications with the Office of Graduate Admission. See the Graduate Admission section of our website for more information.
    • All other persons who have already completed a bachelor’s degree but wish to enroll at Bellarmine in undergraduate credit courses may apply for admission as post-baccalaureate students. A record of the credited coursework done at Bellarmine will be maintained and will become a part of the student’s permanent record. Postbaccalaureate students need to do the following for admission:
      1. A completed online application form.
    • For students taking upper-division courses, an official transcript is required to determine if prerequisite courses have been met.
    • For students in which English is their second language, a TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB score is required. TOEFL minimum scores are Paper-based test 550, Internet-based test 79 or 80,                             or Computer-based test 213. MELAB score of 78 or obtain an IELTS score of 6.
    • Persons who have completed their junior year in high school and demonstrate outstanding scholastic ability and a high level of maturity may be admitted to Bellarmine University prior to high school graduation. Recommendations by the high school principal, guidance counselor, and a teacher are required for admission, as well as interviews with the student and his or her parents or guardians. For more information on the Early Entry Admission Program, contact the Office of Admission.
    Apply Now

    Admission Eligibility

    Bellarmine Admissions

    Bellarmine strives to enroll students with diverse talents and backgrounds. We expect you to be academically prepared to succeed at Bellarmine as demonstrated by your high school grades and high school curriculum. Bellarmine is a test optional university. If you have a test score that enhances the review of your application, you may choose to submit your test scores. Each application is reviewed individually. Bellarmine considers trends in grades, difficulty of curriculum, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, part-time work, special talents, awards and honors, and recommendations in determining admission.

    Submit your application and start your Bellarmine journey:

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    Contact Our Team

    Pursuing a college degree does not have to be a daunting experience. We will help you along the way through advice, support and guidance.

    2001 Newburg Road
    Louisville, KY 40205
    Phone: 502.272.8000
    Email: admissions@bellarmine.edu

     

    ABOUT BELLARMINE

    Located in the historic Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University is a vibrant community of educational excellence and ethical awareness that consistently ranks among the nation’s best colleges and universities. Our students pursue an education based in the liberal arts – and in the distinguished, inclusive Catholic tradition of educational excellence, the oldest and most rewarding in the western world. It is a lifelong education, worthy of the university’s namesake, Saint Robert Bellarmine, and of his invitation to each of us to learn and live In Veritatis Amore – in the love of all that is beautiful, true and good in life.

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