2021-2022 Catalog > Admissions/Enrollment Services > Admission Policy

Admission Policy

Cumberland University admits those applicants whose ability, training, motivation, and interests indicate that they will succeed in college course work. 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.

For high school juniors enrolling in the University's Early College program or dual enrollment courses, a practice ACT score of 25 or better will be accepted in lieu of an ACT or SAT score if the applicant's GPA is an unweighted 3.50 or higher. Subscores in Math and English will be used to determine placement in university mathematics and english courses. Any student admitted with a practice ACT score must submit ACT scores to Cumberland University once they have taken it.

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, how they will help contribute to a diverse student body, and which measures the student will take to be successful academically at the University.

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.

Please note: The adjustment of admission requirements does not apply for any term after the Fall 2021 admission term, 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.