Hesston College admits those students who will benefit from the educational environment of the college and who will contribute to the shared life of the campus community. Applicants must be graduates of an accredited high school or its equivalent to be eligible to attend. Admission is granted after careful review of the candidate’s academic promise, social character and potential for success at Hesston College, but without regard to sex, age, race, color, national origin or physical handicap.
For additional details, read the college’s Admissions Policy in the Hesston College Catalog.
Students are advised to apply for admission at least 6 to 10 months before planning to attend college, though applications are accepted through August. Early enrollment improves the chances of getting preferred programs, classes, scholarships, grants, loans, student jobs and campus housing.
Test scores are used at Hesston College to assist in academic advising, career counseling and in determining scholarship eligibility and probationary status.
Students age 21 and younger are required to have ACT or SAT test scores on file in the Registrar’s Office and are advised to take these prior to their first term at Hesston.
Students over 21 years of age who have taken the SAT or ACT test should have scores sent to Hesston. Those who have not completed one of these tests will be required to take a general purpose placement test when they arrive on campus.
In recognition of the challenges many students have faced in taking the ACT or SAT test during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hesston College has implemented a “test-optional” admissions policy , for applicants who wish to enroll for their first-year of college in the fall 2022.
Students may still submit ACT or SAT scores for consideration in the application review process. Your Admissions Counselor will explain the benefits of both options.
Test scores are required for certain academic programs (nursing, aviation, honors program)
Hesston College continues to thoroughly review a student’s application, transcript(s) and any additional supporting application materials to make an admission decision. If more information is needed, your admissions counselor will reach out to you and let you know about the additional steps.
Admission may be granted to first year applicants who have an unweighted high school grade point average of 2.5 or above (on a 4.00 scale), and a thorough review of the student’s application, transcript(s) and other supporting application materials.* Applicants who do not meet these criteria will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee; admission may be granted or denied. Non-academic criteria may also be considered in the admission process.
*Entrance into certain academic programs may have additional requirements.
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are based on a student’s cumulative high school unweighted GPA and class rank. A separate application is not required. Students who qualify for an academic scholarship will be notified by their admissions counselor.
Gifted students with exceptional records who have not completed their senior year in high school may be admitted by special action of the Dean’s Office.
Persons who have not completed high school but have taken the General Educational Development tests are considered for admission on the basis of their GED test scores.
Students who have previously attended Hesston College may apply for readmission by notifying the admissions office. The student’s original file will be reviewed and updated records will be requested as needed.
Students who have been dismissed from Hesston College must apply for readmission through the Academic Development or Student Development Committee.
Students whose studies at Hesston College have been interrupted by five years or more may be required to meet requirements of the catalog at the time of re-admission.
Hesston College recognizes certain course work completed at other colleges and universities. Certified transcripts should be sent directly to the Admissions Office at Hesston from the issuing institution. Transcripts are reviewed by the registrar and academic advisors. Accepted courses are recorded on the student’s Hesston College transcript after the student has successfully completed one term of study at Hesston.
Transfer students planning to earn a degree from Hesston College must complete one term of residency with a minimum of 12 credit hours at Hesston. Only six hours may be transferred in at the end of a student’s experience at Hesston to complete degree requirements.
College level course work completed at accredited institutions may generally be transferred if (1) it is equal to or substitutes for a specific course required in a degree program at Hesston and if (2) the hours of credit transferred plus the hours to be completed at Hesston do not exceed the number of hours required for a degree. Only courses with a grade of C or better are considered. Credits from non-accredited institutions will be reviewed after the student has completed one term of study at Hesston.
College credit may be awarded for certain advanced high school courses approved by the Mennonite Secondary Education Council (MSEC) and Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM). Requests for credit should be made to the Registrar.
Hesston College may grant advanced placement and/or award credit for satisfactory completion of the following:
Students desiring credit should have exam scores and other pertinent records sent directly to the Admissions Office at Hesston by the issuing institution. A maximum of 12 hours may be accepted (16 for licensed practical nurses.) Accepted credits are recorded after the completion of one term of study at Hesston. A fee is charged for recording the credit.
Students are classified at the beginning of each school year for the entire year. Students with less than 30 hours of college credit are considered freshmen. Students with at least 30 hours of credit when fall term begins or who likely will meet graduation requirements by the end of the academic year have sophomore classification. Students entering Hesston College with a prior college degree and part-time students not pursuing a degree are unclassified.