Apply for Undergraduate Admission

A first-year student is currently in high school or graduated and has not attempted any college credits after graduating.

You must submit the following items:

1. Undergraduate application (apply using the LR Application or Common App)

   LR Application    Common App

2. Official high school transcript* that includes senior-year coursework.

*Prospective students may be admitted based on unofficial transcripts and/or as courses are in progress. However, LR must receive a final transcript before enrollment.

A transfer student has obtained a high school diploma (or equivalent) and has been enrolled at any college/university for one or more semesters following high school graduation.

Application Requirements

1. Complete an undergraduate application (our application is free)

   Apply - Undergraduate Transfer Application  

2. Official transcripts* from each college or university attended.**
3. An official high school transcript if less than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours have been attempted.

*Prospective students may be admitted based on unofficial transcripts and/or as courses are in progress. However, LR must receive a final transcript before enrollment.

**Credit from an accredited junior or community college is limited to a maximum of 64 semester hours or 96 quarter hours. A maximum of 96 semester hours may be transferred from all institutions.

Transfer Credits Evaluation Tool

This information applies to only international degree-seeking students (international F1-visa holders).

Application Requirements

1. Undergraduate application (our application is free)

   Apply - Undergraduate International Application  

2. Official transcripts from the last 4 years of academic work, which must be translated into English and evaluated into a course-by-course report by an approved credential evaluation agency.
3. Completed Certificate of Finance certified by a bank official, attorney or notary public.
4. Proof of English proficiency if your native language is not English. The preferred method of proof is an official score report from the TOEFL (LR’s school code is 5365), IELTS, SAT (5365) or ACT (3118). You must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based version, 213 on the computer-based version or 79 on the internet-based version. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. The minimum 17 average on the ACT reading and English tests are required or an SAT score of 480 on the evidence-based reading and writing section. All student-athletes must provide ACT or SAT results.
5. An offer of admission, if applicable, will be sent to you via email.
6. To confirm your enrollment, you submit an enrollment deposit. This enrollment deposit is paid online and applied to tuition. An I-20 form will be forwarded to you.

The following would also be accepted to verify your English language proficiency:

• Completion of a college-level English composition or other reading-intensive courses with a “B” or equivalent at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a non-U.S. college or university where instruction is in English.
• An official transcript showing completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or a higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a non-U.S. college or university where instruction is in English.

If you do not meet the above minimum English proficiency criteria, the following options are available:

• Complete the iTEP English proficiency exam administered by Lenoir-Rhyne’s partner program, the American Language Academy and attain a minimum score of 3.9.
• Enroll in and complete an accredited English language program, such as the American Language Academy Program, before attending Lenoir-Rhyne. After completing level 5 of the American Language Academy program, you will be recognized as English proficient. Other accredited English Language Proficiency Programs will be accepted as well, as long as you complete a program through the certified level deemed English proficient.

Suppose you do not meet any of the minimum criteria above. In that case, you may request an appeal and, if granted, may participate in a Zoom or WebEx interview to be used as an additional evaluation tool to determine English proficiency. Please note that the findings of this interview are used in conjunction with all other above materials.

Lenoir-Rhyne requires that students whose native language is not English demonstrate their English proficiency on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants must have a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based version, 213 on the computer-based version or 79 on the internet-based version. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5.

We welcome you to Lenoir-Rhyne through a growing number of international exchange partners from around the world through the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration or as a student from one of our bilateral partners.

Bilateral Partners

• Autonomous University of Coahuila
• Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics
• TU Dortmund University
• University of the Basque Country
• University of Magdeburg-Stendal

As an international student, you have the opportunity to study at LR for one semester or one academic year.

The adult learner program is designed to serve the needs of working adult and/or non-traditional students who are 26 or older or graduated from high school at least eight years ago. Adult learners take 13 credit hours or less each semester and pay a reduced tuition rate. All second bachelor's degree-seeking students and students admitted to the Gateway Nursing Program (RN to BSN) are classified as adult learners, regardless of age.

Application Requirements

1. Undergraduate application (our application is free)

   Adult Learner Application  

2. Official transcripts* from each college or university attended.**
3. An official high school transcript if less than 30 college credit hours have been attempted.

*Prospective students may be admitted based on unofficial transcripts and/or as courses are in progress. However, LR must receive a final transcript before enrollment.

**Credit from an accredited junior or community college is limited to a maximum of 64 semester hours or 96 quarter hours. A maximum of 96 semester hours may be transferred from all institutions.

University Christian High School

Students attending University Christian High School (UCHS) have the opportunity to dual enroll to take college courses at Lenoir-Rhyne University during their junior and senior year. All of the entry-level courses at LR are available including foreign languages, English, history, science, math, health, sociology, psychology, business, art, drama, music, theatre, and communication classes. These college class credits may be transferred to the college or university of your choice.

Submission Requirements

1. A completed, accurate UCHS application
2. Official high school transcript

Once accepted, please complete and return immunization forms, minor model form and FERPA form.

For more information, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 828.328.7382 or admission@lr.edu.

Apply Today  

High School Scholars Academy

The Lenoir-Rhyne University High School Scholars Academy (HSSA) is a program designed for high school students who seek an alternative opportunity for a full-time on-campus experience. The program provides students with the opportunity to finish their high school graduation requirements while taking college-level transferrable courses at Lenoir-Rhyne. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors.

The HSSA application cycle for fall 2024 admission will begin on December 1, 2023 and ends on March 1, 2024.

High School Seniors

Senior students will enroll in English IV Honors plus three college courses in the fall. During the spring, students will enroll in three college courses and have the option to enroll in AP Literature. Seniors are expected to attend for the full year.

High School Juniors

Juniors will enroll in English III Honors plus three college courses in the fall and AP Language and Composition and three college courses in the spring. Junior students are expected to attend for both their junior and senior year.

The HSSA program serves a maximum of 60 students from local public school systems like Catawba County, Hickory Public and Newton-Conover Schools. When space is available, applicants from private schools, home schools and other school systems will be considered. For more information, please visit the High School Scholars Academy.

A completed application will include the following: 

1. Official high school transcript
2. School counselor recommendation form (requested through application)
3. Letter of recommendation from a teacher (requested through application)
4. Self-reported disciplinary record (reported on application) 
5. A personal, written statement regarding your desire to participate in HSSA 
6. Official college transcript(s) if any college work has been attempted, even if course(s) are listed on the high school transcript

An interview may be requested by LR. Additional documentation will be required for students who enroll in the program.

Apply Today  

Please Note: To schedule an information session please email ribn@lr.edu.

The Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program works to improve the health outcomes of North Carolinians by enhancing the educational preparation and diversity of the nursing workforce.

The program provides a four-year nursing option that concurrently enrolls students in a community college – where students obtain their associate degree in nursing – and later, a university – where they complete their bachelor's degree in nursing. RIBN, which started in 2010, has expanded to include several regional RIBN partnerships across the state.

Students in the RIBN track spend the first part of the program at a community college and take at least one course per semester at Lenoir-Rhyne University, most of which are online.

After receiving an associate nursing degree and having passed the state licensure exam, students continue on to the final year of the program and complete one more year of classes online at Lenoir-Rhyne. The BSN RIBN program allows students to receive a valuable baccalaureate degree affordably and provides the option to work as a registered nurse during the final year of studies. Students of the program also receive support from a RIBN student success advocate.

Deadlines

• For current high school students and those with less than 26 college credits – March 1 of current year.
• For transfer students – May 1 of current year.

Admission Requirements & How to Apply

For admission requirements, information on how to apply, and deadlines, select the community college of your choice.

• Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
• Catawba Valley Community College
• Gaston College
• Mitchell Community College
• Western Piedmont Community College
• Wilkes Community College

Related Links

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sample Program Sequence
• RIBN Handbook

The RN to BSN Program is an education plan designed for working registered nurses who have an Associate Degree in Nursing. The program permits nurses to complete the nursing requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and is a total of 32 fully online credit hours for those that have completed the ADN from a North Carolina community college after 2018. All other applicants will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine the total credit hour requirement.

Admission Requirements

The RN to BSN Program has rolling admission. You can apply for fall, spring or summer.

• Hold a current and unrestricted RN license
• An overall cumulative GPA of 2.5

Apply for Admission

Apply - RN to BSN Program Application  

Tuition & Fees

RN to BSN students are classified as adult learners and take 13 credit hours or less each semester while paying a reduced tuition rate. Financial aid may also be available, and students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This classification is for individuals who generally never plan to obtain a degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Non-degree students may take a maximum of 12 undergraduate-level credit hours per semester. Admission as a non-degree student is granted on a semester-by-semester basis and is only permissible when space is available. While a student may not be required to submit an additional application for subsequent semesters (depending on the length of time between enrollment), permission to enroll in more than one semester under the status must be pre-approved.

Students seeking enrollment for multiple semesters should contact the Division of Enrollment Management for current policies and procedures. Non-degree students will be considered for admission upon meeting the requirements listed below. Because this classification is designed for students taking courses purely for their edification, academic advisors are not assigned.

Applicants who are under current suspension from Lenoir-Rhyne, or who were denied admission as degree-seeking first-year, transfer or graduate students are not eligible for non-degree status. A non-degree student is not eligible for financial aid.

Graduate Non-Degree Student

The collegiate environment continues to be an academic resource beyond the completion of the undergraduate degree. In order to make its resources available for a broad range of purposes not confined to the pursuit of specific degrees, a student who holds a baccalaureate or graduate degree may register for individual courses at the graduate level without making a formal application to a degree program.

A student not pursuing a graduate degree at Lenoir-Rhyne applies to the university as a non-degree student and is required to furnish proof of an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.7 or a graduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Admission as a non-degree student does not guarantee future admission into a specific degree program, nor into a public school licensure program.

A non-degree student who holds a baccalaureate or graduate degree may take either undergraduate or graduate courses. Under this classification, a student may enroll in no more than 6 hours of graduate-level classes or 12 hours of undergraduate-level classes. Upon completion of 6 hours of graduate courses, a student must apply to a degree-seeking program in order to continue graduate coursework. If the non-degree student is taking undergraduate classes, admission must be granted each semester. A non-degree student is not eligible for financial aid.

If you are a former undergraduate student and you were last enrolled at LR three or fewer semesters ago (including the summer semester), you are not required to reapply. Instead, you will work with the Registrar's Office for re-entry to Lenoir-Rhyne. Please contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@lr.edu or 828.328.7279 for further instruction. If your last enrollment period at LR was more than three semesters ago, please proceed with the undergraduate transfer application. On the application, please include Lenoir-Rhyne on the list of schools you have attended.