Admission Requirements for Freshmen
Your application will be reviewed for admission when all of the following materials are on file:
1. Dominican University of California Application form with a $40.00 non-refundable fee; or Dominican University of California Online Application; or Common Application.
2. 500-word typed Essay as described in the application on one of the following topics:
- Describe a family, cultural, or personal tradition that is meaningful to you. Explain why.
- If you could spend a day with anyone (living, deceased or imaginary), who would it be and why?
- Required for all Nursing and Health Science (Pre-OT) applicants: Tell us why you would like to major in nursing or occupational therapy and what contributions you see yourself making to the profession. Please include any past work (paid or volunteer) experience in health care, education or social services.
3. Updated, official high school transcript (six semesters minimum);
4. One recommendation from school faculty, administrator, and/or a counselor. Applicants who have been out of school for more than two years may submit a letter of recommendation from a professional colleague;
5. Official Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) scores. Information about these tests may be obtained your high school or by writing to:
SAT scores
The College Board
2099 Gateway Place, Suite 480
San Jose, CA 95110
Telephone (408) 452-1400
The Dominican University School Code for SAT is 4284
ACT scores
The American College Testing Program
Operations Division
P.0. Box 168
Iowa City, IA 52243
Recommended Academic Preparation for Freshmen
Graduation from an accredited high school with a total of 15 units in college preparatory subjects, to include the following:
4 years of English
2 years of one international language
2 years of college preparatory mathematics-algebra, geometry, trigonometry, etc. (3 to 4 years preferred)
1 year of lab science to be taken in grades 10-12 (2 years preferred)
1 year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year U.S. government (2 years preferred) (one year of world history or Western civilization is an acceptable alternative for international students)
The University encourages students to choose additional courses in at least two of the following areas: art, computer science, English, history, international language, music, social science, and typing/keyboarding.
International Baccalaureate Examinations
Dominican recognizes the academic challenge and motivation inherent in the International Baccalaureate program. The University will grant advanced placement of 10 semester units for each Higher Level Subject examination passed with a score or grade of 4, 5, 6, or 7, provided that the student has completed the Diploma. One grade of 3 will be acceptable if it is compensated by a grade of 5 or above in another subject offered at a higher level. No credit will be awarded for Subsidiary Level passes. No more than 30 semester units of credit may apply towards the bachelor's degree at Dominican. No advanced standing is granted for the IB certificate.
Advanced Placement Tests
Dominican will grant credit toward an undergraduate degree for successful completion of advanced placement tests taken prior to entry. Students must earn a score of 3, 4, or 5 to receive credit. (Exception: in the case of the English Language or English Literature exams, a score of 4 or 5 is required to receive credit.) Credit will be granted for exams passed, but no letter grade will be assigned. The units granted correspond with the units assigned to each equivalent Dominican course. In some cases, advanced placement tests will satisfy General Education requirements. Please refer to the chart in the current catalog for determining how credit will be granted for each test. No more than 30 units of AP credit will be applied toward a student's degree.
