/Institutions/Cumberland-University/json/2025-2026/Current-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Cumberland-University/json/2025-2026/Current-Catalog.json

2025-2026 Catalog > Admissions/Enrollment Services > Admission Policy > First Time Freshmen

First Time Freshmen

Thank you for your interest in Cumberland University! The following steps will guide you through the application process, and what you can expect once your application is received.

• Complete the application for undergraduate admission and submit a non-refundable application fee of $25 which must accompany the application form. Students may apply to the University online at https://www.cumberland.edu/visit/. Students who apply online may pay their application fee online. The application form must have all the appropriate spaces completed. Failure to complete the application form or to submit the $25 application fee will result in a delay in processing and consideration of the application. Paper applications are available in the Cumberland University Office of Admissions or may be requested by calling the Office of Admissions at (615) 547-1246.
• Students with a GPA or ACT/SAT score that does not fit the combination scale will be admitted only upon the recommendation and approval of the Cumberland University Admissions Committee or, if the student is a Cumberland University Dual Enrollment student, successfully completes their dual enrollment courses with a minimum 3.00 GPA.
• For students who do not meet the minimum high school grade point average (unweighted) and/or minimum ACT composite score/SAT Converted score, the University will require the student to complete a personal statement. Written by the student, the personal statement will indicate why the student would like to attend Cumberland University, would help contribute to a diverse student body, and measures the student will take to be successful academically at the University.
• All students must be graduates of an accredited high school with an academic diploma and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
• Graduates of public high schools must provide an official high school transcript showing credits earned and date of graduation. The transcript of graduates of Tennessee public high schools must include a notation indicating that the student passed the required proficiency examination.
• Graduates of nonpublic high schools (including private schools, home schools, and church-related schools) must submit an official transcript showing credits earned and date of graduation. The transcript of a Tennessee home school applicant must be an official copy from an affiliated organization as defined by state law (T.C.A. 49-50-801) or be accompanied by certification of registration with the superintendent of the local education agency which the student would otherwise attend. Out of state applicants should refer to the applicable state law of their home state; in lieu of applicable state law, Tennessee law (T.C.A. 49-50-801) will apply.
• The high school transcript must be a regular or honors diploma. A Special Education Diploma or Certificate of Attendance does not meet this requirement.
• Applicants who cannot provide a satisfactory secondary school credential may substitute acceptable scores on either the GED examination or the High School Equivalency Test. Applicants who have a passing score, 165 or higher, on the General Educational Development (GED) Test or a 75 or higher on the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) will also be considered for admission.
• All students must submit an official ACT or SAT score. The minimum score required on the ACT is a composite score of 21 or a score on the SAT that is equal to a 21 on the ACT as converted by the official College Board SAT Score Converter. Score reports considered to meet this requirement may be imported from the ACT or SAT test agency directly or may be printed on the official high school transcript. Scores submitted from the high school must contain the month and year the test was taken and the major subscores for each test. Super scores or scores missing any information previously outlines will not be accepted under any circumstance. Any score manually handwritten on a high school transcript or student score reports printed by the student are treated as unofficial and do not meet this requirement. This requirement is waived for persons who have graduated five years or more prior to their application to the University or are 25 years of age or older upon the beginning of their first semester at the University.
• All students must provide documentation of the required immunizations. For further information regarding current immunization requirements please contact the Office of Admissions.
• Any student requesting special consideration or exception to these criteria may address his/her requests to Cumberland University
  Office of Admissions
  1 Cumberland Square
  Lebanon, TN 37087
• When all admissions paperwork has been received by the Office of Admissions, the student will be contacted regarding his/her admission status.
• Upon admission to Cumberland University, first-time freshmen are required to commit to attend Cumberland University and pay the one-time $100 Freshman Fee. The Freshman Fee should accompany the Commitment Letter and be submitted prior to May 1st. The Freshman Fee must be paid before freshmen can attend a Freshmen Registration Session. The Freshman Fee is non-refundable after May 1st.
• Freshmen Registration sessions are held prior to the start of the fall semester. All first-time freshmen must attend one of these sessions and pay the $100 freshmen fee prior to participating. During Freshmen Registration sessions, students will meet with an Academic Advisor to select their fall schedule. In addition, students and parents will participate in various activities to assist them in learning the services Cumberland has to offer as they begin their journey at Cumberland.
• During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to self-identify as being previously convicted of a felony. Those applicants affirming such a history are required to submit a written statement outlining the details of the conviction and the steps previously taken to reform and prevent repeated behavior. This written statement is separate from the personal statement required by select applicants appealing to the Admissions Committee.
• Also, any student self-reporting a criminal history will be required to give consent to the Provost allowing the Provost to request a criminal background check report from a reputable agency of the Provost’s choosing. Such a report will give accurate detail either supporting or refuting the claims made by the applicant and provide an unbiased narrative of the past criminal history in question. Since the report may improve the University’s ability to fairly adjudicate the student’s application, the University will pay any fees required by the reporting agency. This report will then remain confidential, secured in the University Provost’s Office, and viewable only by the University President, Provost, and Vice President of Enrollment Services during a called meeting of the Admissions Special Circumstances Sub-committee of the Admissions Committee. A copy of the report will be included in the final electronic version of the student’s admissions file via the document tracking feature within the University’s database management system and processed under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Enrollment Management with original copies returned to the Provost.
  
  Lastly, if any student admitted by the University fails to self-report a criminal history, the Provost has the authority and discretion to summarily dismiss the student. Dismissal as a result of a criminal history will not merit an appeal at any level of university administration and will remain in effect indefinitely.