Undergraduate Admission to Hood

Inclusive Admission Policy

At Hood College, our admission policy is rooted in our commitment to equity and inclusion. Through a personalized, holistic review process that does not require submission of standardized test scores, is need-blind and does not provide a preference for legacies, we measure candidate's potential for success. We actively partner with community-based organizations and host outreach events targeting marginalized groups, providing resources and support to empower prospective students throughout the college application process. Continuously assessing our processes, we strive to enhance inclusivity and address systematic inequities, ensuring that our campus community reflects the rich diversity of our society and provides a welcoming environment for all students.

Undergraduate Admission Options

Hood offers four different avenues for undergraduate admission:

First-year admission —intended for students who are in secondary school, or who have graduated recently and received their high school diploma and have never enrolled at another college, and for students enrolled in an early college program or other college courses prior to receiving a high school diploma;

Transfer admission —intended for students who have graduated from secondary school and have enrolled and/or taken classes as a degree-seeking student at another college or university after receiving a high school diploma or present an equivalency certificate (G.E.D.);

International admission —intended for students who are not citizens of the United States and have graduated from secondary school or are looking to transfer from another college or university;

Dual Enrollment —a program for exceptional high school juniors and seniors that allows them to take Hood College courses for credit while in high school.

Campus Visits

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

hood.edu/visit

Telephone: 301-696-3400

Email: visit@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.

• High school transcript, sent directly from the high school to the Office of Admission. An unofficial transcript may be used to award conditional admission, but an official transcript must be provided before the student can begin taking classes.

An essay is recommended but is only required for students interested in applying for Hood's Honors Program. Students are encouraged to supplement their application with an essay or any of the following items:

• Personal Statement
• Portfolio
• Video
• Resume
• Letter of Recommendation

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, 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, Dual Enrollment, 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. 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 or proof of school completion by the state's Department of Education or local school district. Specifically include an official document that attests that the home-schooled education meets the equivalency to what is taught in the high school district. This documentation may be provided by the state Department of Education (if provided by that state), the home-school liaison within the student's school district, or from a school official in the high school district. 

The home-school transcript should include:

• Student and school information
• Courses completed (including course title, final grade, and credit earned)
• Academic summary (including total credits and cumulative grade point average)
• The graduation date
• A grading scale
• Self-certification, signature, and date completed by authorized administrator, home-school instructor, parent, or guardian.

Our home-school review process is designed to recognize the unique experience of a home education while ensuring preparation for academic success at Hood College. Because we recognize that some home-school programs may not follow a traditional high school curriculum, we individually evaluate each of our applicants and offer several opportunities to provide information. As such, we recommend a personal interview with an admission counselor for best consideration.

Many admitted home-schooled students have taken advanced classes outside the home-school environment such as dual enrollment courses at a local college. If college courses have been completed or are in progress, the college transcript should be sent to us along with the home-school high school transcript.

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.

Transfer with Ease

Hood welcomes transfer students at every stage of their academic and professional lives. Our transfer articulation agreements with Maryland community 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. Students interested in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing are encouraged to declare a pre-health major for their associate degree.

Community college students are urged to consult their transfer counselor concerning relevant transfer agreements and course equivalencies or contact the Hood College Office of Admission.

The registrar evaluates prior college coursework after the point of enrollment 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 first-year 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 post-secondary institution 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 https://www.hood.edu/admission-aid/admission/transfer-students.
• Responses to two brief statements: Why do you want to pursue this particular field of study? And why do you want to attend Hood College?
• Official college transcript(s), sent directly from all previous colleges or universities to the Office of Admission. Transcripts can be sent to applicationtranscript@hood.edu. 
• 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 from the institution issuing the disciplinary action and/or your most recently attended institution, completed by the academic advisor, registrar, or dean of students.

International Students—Applying for Admission

Application deadlines for all international students: Fall Semester- June 15, Spring Semester- November 15 (Davis United World College Scholarship Deadline - March 1).

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.

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). Please remember to include an email address with your application to help make future communication easier.
• 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 https://www.hood.edu/admission-aid/undergraduate-international-students/undergraduate-international-admission for more information.
• Official test scores from one of the following:
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - minimum score of 79 (internet based)/550 (paper-based)/213 (computer-based)
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - minimum score of 6.5
  • PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) - minimum score of 53
  • DET (Duolingo English Test) - minimum score of 100
  • TOEFL and IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply but will need to demonstrate appropriate mastery of the English language. Language test requirement waived for students whose high school language of instruction was English.

• Financial Information:
  • If applying for an F-1 visa, you must provide certification of financial support including the Affidavit of Support form.
  • 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 essay or personal statement 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 (hood.edu/apply).
• 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 World Education Services, Inc. (wes.org) or the Undergraduate International Admission website for more information (https://www.hood.edu/admission-aid/admission/undergraduate-international-students).

The following documents are required if you have fewer than 24 transferable college credits or if the language of instruction for all courses is in a language other than English:

• 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 (wes.org) or the Undergraduate International Admission website for more information.
• Official test scores from one of the following:
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - minimum score of 79 (internet based)/550 (paper-based)/213 (computer-based)
  •  IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - minimum score of 6.5
  • PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) - minimum score of 53
  • DET (Duolingo English Test) - minimum score of 100
  • TOEFL and IELTS are the preferred tests for students from non-English speaking nations. Students with scores below these numbers may also apply but will need to demonstrate appropriate mastery of the English language. Language test requirement waived for students whose high school language of instruction was English.

• Financial Information:
  • If applying for an F-1 visa, you must provide certification of financial support including the Affidavit of Support form.
  • 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.

Honors Program Admission

To apply to the Honors Program a student must request review by selecting the checkbox in the application. The Honors Program is highly selective and space is limited, so each applicant is thoroughly reviewed. The Honors Program is designed for students who are intellectually curious and enjoy learning new things from different perspectives, both inside and outside of their intended major. While each student is considered for the program based on a holistic review of all submitted application materials, the basic requirements include:

• Minimum recalculated academic GPA of 3.3
• Strong writing skills demonstrated in the application, essay and/or additional materials
• College preparatory high school curriculum (if offered)
• AP, IB or Dual Enrollment courses (if offered)

The priority application deadline for the Honors Program is January 15. Space is limited and reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis by submission of the enrollment deposit. Students who submit their deposit later will be waitlisted and may enter the program in the spring semester. honors decisions will be sent in January. Applications received after January 15 will be considered for admission if space is available.

Dual Enrollment

The Hood College 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 college level classes per semester. 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 advisor. 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 $195 per credit and are responsible for additional fees (lab, music practice rooms, parking permit), required course materials, and books.

Dual Enrollment Admission Requirements:

• Enrolled as a high school junior or senior.
• Cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.0 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 a 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. 

Students interested in the dual enrollment program must apply through the admission office; for information contact 301-696-3400 or email admission@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 no less than three weeks after receipt of a completed application file. There are exemptions noted below.

First-Year Students

• Rolling admission until priority deadline of March 1.
• Rolling admission after March 1 on a space available basis.

First-Year Nursing Program Applicants

• Round one - deadline is December 1. Notification is December 15. Applicants not offered admission to the nursing program during round one may be considered during round two following submission of mid-year grades.
• Round two - deadline is March 1. Notification is March 15.

Nursing applications received after March 1 will be considered for admission to the nursing program on a space available basis. Space in the nursing program is reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis confirmed by payment of the enrollment deposit.

 First-Year Public Health Program Applicants

• Round one - deadline is December 1. Notification is December 15. Applicants not offered admission to the public health program during round one may be considered during round two following submission of mid-year grades.
• Round two - deadline is March 1. Notification is March 15.

Transfer Students

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

Transfer Nursing Program Applicants

• Fall semester deadline is April 1. Notification is May 30. Fall entry into the Nursing Program is available for transfer students who meet the criteria to enter the program in level 1 (4-year program) or level 2 (3-year program). Students eligible for level 1 must have a 2.75 minimum composite GPA. Students eligible for level 2 must have a 2.75 minimum composite GPA, not have more than two repeated nursing required courses, complete the HESI A2 by the application deadline date (score of 70 or higher recommended), and have completed the following pre-requisite courses with a grade of C or higher:

• Spring entry into the Nursing program is not available for transfer students.

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 and can be paid online at hood.edu/imablazer, 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 (as amended in 2008), Hood makes every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.

To receive appropriate advice and accommodations, students who have a disability must notify the Office of Accessibility Services located at the Josephine Steiner Student Success Center as soon as possible. Early notification prevents delay in the initiation of services and ensures the student full access to educational activities. The director of accessibility services, in consultation with the student, prepares a plan for services and forwards authorization for certain specialized services (such as interpreting or housing accommodations) to the appropriate offices on campus.