Admission Policy
Cumberland University admits those applicants whose ability, training, motivation, and interests indicate that they will succeed in college coursework. The course of study and quality of work done in high school or college are both taken into consideration when a student applies for admission. The student’s scores on the ACT or the SAT are used as indicators of academic ability and are considered for admission, and if required, a student’s personal statement.
High School juniors and seniors seeking admission to the University’s Early College program or wishing to take any courses as a Dual Enrollment student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (unweighted) and must have taken the ACT or SAT a minimum of one (1) time. Subscores in Math and English will be used to determine placement in University Mathematics and English courses. Additionally, applicants to the Early College program must receive a recommendation endorsement from their high school counselor and applicants to the Dual Enrollment program must obtain it when completing the class registration form.
First-time freshmen who do not meet the University’s minimum high school grade point average of 2.75 (unweighted) will be required to complete a personal statement. Written by the student, the personal statement should address what measures the student will take to be successful academically at the University. The statement will also be accompanied by a supplemental survey designed to determine persistence and grit. Additionally, a letter of recommendation may be requested. These components will be added to the student’s admission file and reviewed by the University Admissions Committee.
Standardized Test Score Requirement - Optional Through 2023-2024 Admission Period
TEST OPTIONAL Policy for First-Time Freshmen Entering Fall 2023
For the 2023-2024 academic period, Cumberland University will remain test-optional for First-Time Freshmen. This means that students may be considered for admission to the university without a standardized test score. However, submitting test scores is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED for scholarship consideration and class placement.First-year students granted admission without a standardized test score and/or without dual enrollment credit may be initially placed into entry-level Math and English courses, but given the opportunity to test out of their initial placement.
Please note: The Test-optional policy does not apply to or lessen the requirements for institutional, state, or federal funding, does not apply to or lessen the requirements for athletic eligibility, and does not apply to applicants seeking admission into the University's Early College Program. All benchmarks for grants and scholarships, as well as benchmarks for athletic eligibility, must be met in their entirety. Early College applicants must submit a score or take the On Campus ACT with Cumberland to be reviewed for admission to the Early College Program. Home schooled students from Tennessee must score a 21 or higher on the ACT to be eligible for the TN HOPE scholarship program.
Cumberland University notifies the applicant of his or her admission status once all necessary documentation/credentials have been received. Questions concerning the admissions status of a prospective student should be addressed either by telephone, email or in writing to the Office of Admissions. Cumberland University is an equal opportunity educational institution and, as such, does not discriminate in the admissions policy on the basis of race, sex, creed, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other classification protected by Federal, or State constitutional or statutory law.