Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions

Most first-year students are not required to submit test scores as part of the admissions process. When you apply, you can choose whether to include your test scores or not.

(Students who do not qualify for the test-optional policy include international students using official test scores to show English language proficiency.)

Students who choose to be Test Optional may upload any of the following to supplement their application:

• A graded paper completed for an academic course in the last three years of high school, including senior year.
• A link to a digital portfolio or website demonstrating a talent or skill.
• A reference letter regarding leadership activity in an organization such as civic, church, social or high school.
• Proof of attainment of Eagle Scout through Boy Scouts of America or Gold Award through Girl Scouts of the USA along with evidence of the type of project/issue and the results.

Learn more about our Test-Optional Policy. 

Yes. If you are submitting test scores, the highest SAT subscores for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and the Math sections will be used if you have taken the test more than once. For the ACT, the highest composite score will be used. If both the SAT and the ACT are submitted for consideration, Dominican will use whichever benefits the student more.

You may choose from one of the following essay prompts:

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma — anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. 

The Nursing and Health Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy programs are competitive. To assist the Admissions Committee when reviewing your file, applicants to these programs will be required to submit an additional essay that addresses the following: 

• Why would you like to major in Nursing or Occupational Therapy and what contributions do you see yourself making to the profession? 

You should prepare to graduate from an accredited high school with a total of 15 units in college preparatory subjects, to include the following:

• Four years of English
• Two years of one international language 
• Two years of college preparatory mathematics — algebra, geometry, trigonometry, etc. (3 to 4 years preferred) 
• One year of lab science to be taken in grades 10-12 (2 years preferred) 
• One year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year U.S. government (two years preferred) (one year of world history or Western civilization is an acceptable alternative for international students)

We also encourage students to choose additional courses in at least two of the following areas: Art, Computer Science, English, History, International Language, Music, and Social Science.

Yes. Dominican understands the academic challenge and motivation inherent in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The University will grant transfer credit of lower-division semester units for each Higher Level Subject examination passed with a score or grade of 4 or higher. Please note — no credit will be awarded for Standard Level passes.

There is no limit to the number of IB or Advanced Placement (AP) exam credits that may apply to General Education requirements; however, no more than a total of 30-semester units of combined IB and/or AP credit may apply towards the bachelor's degree at Dominican.

General Education requirements that may be met by IB examination credit:

• Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning (MT)
• Social Science (SS)
• Natural Science (NS), Biological Science (NSB), and Physical Science (NSP)
• Creative and Performing Arts (CA)
• International Language matriculation requirement (IL)

Students wishing to demonstrate content knowledge equivalent to a specific course at Dominican should submit syllabi from their IB courses for assessment by faculty in each discipline. Pre-Nursing and Pre-Occupational Therapy students must submit syllabi from their IB courses both to the discipline in which the course is offered (e.g., Biology or Chemistry) and also the Nursing department.

Refer to the Academic Catalog to learn more. 

If you were homeschooled, we welcome your interest in Dominican University of California. Please read the following guidelines to learn more about what is required to become eligible for admission consideration:

• Provide transcripts for any courses that you took through a homeschool umbrella program, a local high school or an accredited college or university.
• If you don’t have official transcripts, you will need to provide a detailed outline of your homeschool curriculum, including subject areas studied, level of instruction, time spent on each discipline, texts read, work produced and assessment of performance or grade. In addition, the person (other than yourself) who has been most responsible for your overall academic program should submit a short narrative that summarizes your educational experience. 
• Submit official test scores from either the SAT or ACT. Please note — test scores are waived if you graduated from high school more than two years ago.
• Homeschooled students are not required to submit an equivalency diploma, however, we do require admitted students to present the following: proof of graduation, such as a homeschool diploma (a certificate of completion that is considered the equivalent of a high school diploma in the applicant's home state), or results from a GED test prior to enrollment at Dominican.
• We strongly encourage homeschooled students to visit campus and complete an admissions counseling appointment with a member of our admissions staff.
   

Dominican University of California offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. It's a six-semester intensive educational program, including courses such as health assessment, fundamentals of nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing research, and nursing leadership. 

Learn more about Dominican's nursing program

Yes! While we encourage all students to submit official transcripts, you are welcome to submit unofficial transcripts for use in the admissions process. If you are admitted to Dominican and choose to enroll, official transcripts showing final grades in all coursework attempted are required by:

• August 15 for Fall enrollment
• January 20 for Spring enrollment
• May 15 for Summer enrollment

This policy also applies to International students submitted transcripts and credential evaluations. Official transcripts are required if being used as proof of English Language proficiency. Official transcripts and official credential evaluations are required earlier for Visa purposes as a Visa cannot be requested without the official documents:

• July 1 for Fall enrollment
• December 1 for Spring enrollment

If official transcripts are not received by the deadline for the term of enrollment, the admissions decision may be rescinded and/or enrollment in subsequent terms may be put on hold.

Find complete instructions on how to submit your transcripts to Dominican here.

You should prepare to graduate from an accredited high school with a total of 15 units in college preparatory subjects, to include the following:

• Four years of English
• Two years of one international language 
• Two years of college preparatory mathematics — algebra, geometry, trigonometry, etc. (3 to 4 years preferred) 
• One year of lab science to be taken in grades 10-12 (2 years preferred) 
• One year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year U.S. government (two years preferred) (one year of world history or Western civilization is an acceptable alternative for international students)

We also encourage students to choose additional courses in at least two of the following areas: Art, Computer Science, English, History, International Language, Music, and Social Science.

Yes. Dominican understands the academic challenge and motivation inherent in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The University will grant transfer credit of lower-division semester units for each Higher Level Subject examination passed with a score or grade of 4 or higher. Please note — no credit will be awarded for Standard Level passes.

There is no limit to the number of IB or Advanced Placement (AP) exam credits that may apply to General Education requirements; however, no more than a total of 30-semester units of combined IB and/or AP credit may apply towards the bachelor's degree at Dominican.

• General Education requirements that may be met by IB examination credit:
• Mathematical Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning (MT)
• Social Science (SS)
• Natural Science (NS), Biological Science (NSB), and Physical Science (NSP)
• Creative and Performing Arts (CA)
• International Language matriculation requirement (IL)

Students wishing to demonstrate content knowledge equivalent to a specific course at Dominican should submit syllabi from their IB courses for assessment by faculty in each discipline. Pre-Nursing and Pre-Occupational Therapy students must submit syllabi from their IB courses both to the discipline in which the course is offered (e.g., Biology or Chemistry) and also the Nursing department.

Refer to the 2022-2023 Academic Catalog to learn more.

Deposits are non-refundable after the deposit deadlines. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, we will accept submissions through the next business day. If you plan to live on campus you will need to submit a housing application, available upon submission of your housing deposit. Housing is limited and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to students who deposit by the deadline. Learn more about living at Dominican. 

Tuition Deposit

• Fall Tuition Deposit ($250) Deadline: May 15 for nursing majors; all other majors, make your deposit now.
• Spring Tuition Deposit ($250) Deadline: January 15 for all majors 

Housing Deposit

• Fall Housing Deposit ($500) Deadline: May 15 for all majors
• Spring Housing Deposit ($500) Deadline: January 15 for all majors