Undergraduate Admission Options

Campus Visits

Campus visits are encouraged for all prospective students. The undergraduate Admission Office schedules appointments for interviews and campus tours, and also hosts numerous campus visit programs throughout the year. Campus visits may be arranged online or by contacting the Office of Admission.

hood.edu/visit

Toll-free: 800-922-1599

Telephone: 301-696-3400

Fax: 301-696-3819

Email:

admission@hood.edu

First-year students—Applying for Admission

Hood College requires the following items as part of the first-year application process:

• A completed application for admission. The application is available online at hood.edu/apply or commonapp.org.

• Official high school transcript, sent directly from the high school to the Office of Admission.  

• An essay. Topics are listed on the application for admission.

In some cases, the Office of Admission may request additional supporting information in order to reach a final admission decision.

All applicants for first-year student admission are expected to have completed a full college preparatory curriculum, including the following:

• 4 credits of English

• 3 credits of mathematics, 4 credits preferred (including at least Algebra I and II and geometry)

• 3 credits of laboratory or natural science

• 3 credits of social science

• 2 credits of the same foreign language

• one academic elective

For information regarding International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, credit by examination and transfer credit policies, please see Undergraduate Academic Policies.

Home-schooled Students—Applying for Admission

Hood College recognizes that a growing number of students and families may choose a home-schooling alternative in place of a traditional secondary school experience. In order to accurately assess a home-schooled applicant’s likelihood of success at Hood, we may require several forms of documentation in addition to the usual application materials.

Applicants for admission to Hood College who have completed some or all of their secondary education in a home-schooling environment will be required to submit the following:

• A transcript of all high school-level work, evaluated, signed and approved by a certifying home school agency or evaluator.

If the student does not have a high school diploma or has not completed high school, we will require the results of an official GED examination. The College must be able to certify that all degree-seeking students hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, or have proven the ability to benefit from a college education.

Transfer with Ease

Hood welcomes transfer students at every stage of their academic and professional lives. Our transfer agreements with other colleges help ease the admission process and guide students in their efforts to take appropriate courses prior to transferring to Hood. Students transferring to Hood from a community college are encouraged to enroll in classes that meet requirements for an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree.

Community college students are urged to consult their transfer counselor concerning transfer agreement and course equivalencies, or contact the Office of Admission.

The registrar evaluates prior college coursework after the point of admission for applicability to degree requirements at Hood College. Credit is generally awarded for courses that are clearly applicable to a baccalaureate degree and for which the student earned a grade of C- or above. Courses that are clearly vocational or occupational in nature will not be accepted as credit toward the baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 62 credits may be awarded for freshman and sophomore level work completed elsewhere. Although there is no limit for junior and senior level coursework, students will be awarded no more than a total of 94 credits for all college-level work completed.

For detailed information on transfer credit policies, see Undergraduate Academic Policies, Transfer Policy.

Transfer Students—Applying for Admission

Students who have an enrollment record at any college after their graduation from high school are considered transfer students and should use the transfer application. Any student with a college GPA and more than 23 transferable credits at the time of application will be evaluated primarily on the basis of their prior college record. Transfer students should submit the following materials for consideration:

• A completed Hood College transfer application. The application can be found at www.hood.edu/apply or www.commonapp.org.
• An essay. Topics are listed on the application for admission.
• Official college transcript(s), sent directly from the college or university registrar to the Office of Admission.
• If you have been placed on probation, suspended, received disciplinary action or been dismissed from a college or university, you may be required to submit the College/University Report for Transfer Students, completed by the academic adviser, registrar or dean of students at your most recently-attended institution.

International Students—Applying for Admission

Application deadlines for all international students: Fall – June 15, Spring – November 15

International students, whether in the United States or abroad, may apply for admission as a first-year student or transfer student. International applicants are encouraged to submit their applications online. Applicants should note that all documents submitted as part of the admission process become the property of Hood College and will not be returned.

International first-year student applicants must have completed their secondary education or plan to complete it by the semester prior to enrollment. Applications that include all of the materials listed below will be reviewed for admission:

• A completed Hood College application (hood.edu/apply or commonapp.org). Please remember to include an email address with your application to help make future communication easier.
• A writing sample, completed through the Common Application. This can be an essay on a topic of your choice or a previously graded paper.  
• Official secondary school (high school) transcript. International transcripts will only be accepted for consideration at Hood College if they have been translated and evaluated by a professional organization. We require a course- by-course evaluation. Please visit World Education Services, Inc. (wes.org/) or hood.edu/Admission/International-Admission/Credit-Evaluation.html for a list of acceptable credit evaluation agencies.
• Official test scores from one of the following: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT. TOEFL minimum score of 79-80 internet based/550 paper based/213 computer based or IELTS minimum score of 6.5. TOEFL and IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply.
• Financial Information:
  • If applying for an F-1 visa, you must complete the Hood College Undergraduate International Application and provide the requested financial information.
  • If applying as a student under an immigration status other than permanent resident, please contact the Admission Office for details about which materials you may be required to submit.
  • A student may choose to use the College Board International Student Financial Aid Application and International Student Certification of Finances form to explain their financial situation, as long as they also submit supporting documents such as bank statements.

Optional information:

• While not required, an additional essay on a topic of your choice and recommendation(s) from academic instructor(s) about your performance and ability will facilitate the admission decision.

International Transfer applicants

Applications that include all of the materials listed below will be reviewed for admission:

• A completed Hood College application (www.hood.edu/apply or www.commonapp.org). Please remember to include an email address with your application to help make future communication easier.
• A writing sample, submitted through the Common Application. This can be an essay on a topic of your choice or a previously graded paper.
• Official copies of all college/university transcripts. International transcripts will only be accepted for consideration at Hood College if they have been translated and evaluated by a professional organization. We require a course-by-course evaluation. Please visit Please visit World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or hood.edu/Admission/International-Admission/Credit-Evaluation.html) for a list of acceptable credit evaluation agencies

The following documents are required if you have fewer than 24 transferable college credits:

• Official secondary school (high school) transcript and secondary school report form. International transcripts will only be accepted for consideration at Hood College if they have been translated and evaluated by a professional organization. We require a course-by-course evaluation. Please visit World Education Services, Inc (www.wes.org) or hood.edu/Admission/International-Admission/Credit-Evaluation.html) for a list of acceptable credit evaluation agencies.
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT. TOEFL minimum score of 79-80 Internet based/550 paper based/213 computer based or IELTS minimum score of 6.5. TOEFL or IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply.

Financial Information:

• If applying for an F-1 visa, you must complete the Hood College Undergraduate International Application and provide the requested financial information.
• If applying as a student under an immigration status other than permanent resident, please contact the Admission Office for details about which materials you may be required to submit.
• A student may choose to use the College Board International Student Financial Aid Application and International Student Certification of Finances form to explain their financial situation, as long as they also submit supporting documents such as bank statements.

Optional information:

• While not required, an additional essay on a topic of your choice and recommendation(s) from academic instructor(s) about your performance and ability will facilitate the admission decision.

Dual Enrollment

The Dual Enrollment program allows exceptional high school juniors and seniors to get a head start on the college academic experience, earning college credits while in high school. The program is designed to help students become familiar with academic work at the college level and have the opportunity to interact with College faculty. Depending on their high school schedule, students typically take 1-3 classes per semester. A maximum of 18 credits may be earned through the program. Dual Enrollment students may not exceed 11 credits in any given semester. Enrollment is on a space available basis.

Students may enroll in the fall, spring or summer semesters and have the opportunity to discuss academic goals and post-secondary options with a Hood College academic adviser. Most classes at the 100- and 200-level are open to Dual Enrollment students; they may enroll in 300-level courses when the prerequisites have been met or with permission of the instructor. Dual Enrollment students pay a reduced tuition rate of $175 per credit and are responsible for additional fees (lab, music practice rooms, parking permit), required course material and books.

Dual Enrollment Admission Requirements:

• Currently enrolled as a high school junior or senior.
• Have a cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.50 or greater in a college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate curriculum.

Dual Enrollment applicants will be required to:

• Complete a Dual Enrollment application form.
• Submit an official high school transcript.
• Submit a letter of recommendation from high school counselor or principal.
• Submit a letter of approval to participate from parent or guardian.
• Submit official PARCC score report. 

Students interested in the Dual Enrollment program must apply through the Admission Office; for information contact 301-696-3400, admission@hood.edu or hood.edu

Complete and submit the application by: Fall semester – August 1, Spring semester – December 15

Application Deadlines and Reply Dates

Hood College reviews applications on a rolling basis, typically releasing decisions within two weeks of receipt of a completed application file. There are some differences noted below based on the type of student making application.

First-Year Students
• The first round of fall admission decisions will be mailed the first week of October.
• Rolling admission until priority deadline of March 1.
• Rolling admission after March 1 on a space available basis.

Nursing program applicants:
• Round one - deadline is December 1. Notification is December 15. Applicants not offered admission to the nursing program during round one will automatically be considered during round two.
• Round two - deadline is March 1. Notification is March 15.

Transfer Students
• Spring semester deadline is November 1. Rolling admission will continue until classes begin in January.
• Fall semester deadline is April 1. Rolling admission will continue until classes begin in August.

International Students
• Spring semester deadline is November 15 (classes begin in January).
• Fall semester deadline is June 15 (classes begin in August).

Enrollment Deposit

To confirm enrollment at Hood, all new undergraduate students are required to pay a one-time enrollment deposit. The enrollment deposit is $350. 100% of the deposit is applied to tuition, housing and fees. The enrollment deposit is not refundable.

Equal Access for Students with Disabilities

Hood College actively supports the rights of students with disabilities to have equal access to education. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Hood makes every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.

In order to receive appropriate advice and accommodations, students who have a disability must notify The Josephine Steiner Center for Academic Achievement and Retention (CAAR) as soon as possible. Early notification prevents delay in initiation of services and ensures the student full access to educational activities. The disability services coordinator and/or the medical staff, in consultation with the student, prepares a plan for services and forwards authorization for specified services (such as note-taking, interpreting, special housing) to the appropriate offices on campus.