Bethune-Cookman University

General Admission Questions

What is the application deadline?

Bethune-Cookman University uses rolling admission, so early application is strongly encouraged. However, the number of
qualified applicants has exceeded available space in recent years. For maximum admission and scholarship consideration:

• High school seniors are encouraged to apply between August and December 1 of  their senior year.


• Transfer students are encouraged to apply six months prior to the desired term of enrollment.


• International students applying for Fall Semester admission are encouraged to apply during the fall of the prior year for maximum consideration. International students applying for Spring Semester admission may begin applying in September before the start of the desired enrollment term.

Are letters of recommendation required for applicants?

Yes. Bethune-Cookman University does require letters of recommendation; however, students are welcome to submit supplemental information, including an academic resume to enhance their application file.

When do students receive an admission decision?

Admission decisions are typically made one to two weeks after all application materials are received. (Please note that an
initial admissions decision may be a "withhold" decision, in which a student is asked to provide more information to the Office of Admissions.)

How long is my application for admission valid?

Applications are valid for one year beyond the semester of submission. It is not necessary to submit a new application
form or application fee during this period. To be considered for an alternate semester, contact the Office of Admissions before your application expires.

Freshman Admission Questions

Is the new version of the SAT with the writing section or the optional ACT writing test required for freshmen?

Yes. Students must submit scores from either the new SAT Reasoning Test, which includes a critical reading, math, and
writing section, or the ACT with the optional writing assessment. Students who have previously taken an SAT or ACT exam without a writing component are required to either take the SAT again or submit an ACT writing test score. (International students are encouraged to submit SAT scores, if available.)

Is it better for freshmen to only send B-CU the highest ACT or SAT score if a test is taken more than once?

No. Bethune-Cookman University considers the highest combined SAT or composite ACT score on file. There is no disadvantage in sending multiple test scores to the Office of Admissions since the lower test scores are disregarded. B-CU does not combine subscores from different sittings of the SAT or ACT to make a "best" combined or composite score.

What if
a freshman applicant wants to change the senior year course schedule listed on
the application?

B-CU does not "approve" or "decline" course schedule changes; however, students should notify the university if a course schedule does change and should be aware a change that results in a less academically rigorous course of study may jeopardize
their admissibility or offer of admission.

Does Bethune-Cookman University accept dual enrollment credit from high school students?

Yes. High school students who are dually enrolled at an accredited college or university may be eligible to receive credit for course work completed at that institution. However, credit may only be given once the student has sent in their final official transcript from college and it has been evaluated.

Does Bethune-Cookman University accept precollege credits from Advanced Placement (AP) and the
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program?

Yes. High school students can receive credit through AP examinations and through the IB Diploma Program. Strong scores may allow for a course waiver or course credit.

How do I know if I'm a transfer student?

Any student who has attended a postsecondary institution after graduating from high school (with the exception of attendance during the summer term immediately following graduation) is considered a transfer student.

What should I do if I was previously admitted but did not enroll, and now I want to attend Bethune-Cookman University?

Students who are admitted as a high school student but did not enroll need to submit transcripts from all other institutions attended and contact the Office of Admissions to change to a new semester of enrollment. If more than one year has elapsed, another application form and application fee must be submitted.

As a transfer student, does my GPA from my previous college transfer to B-CU?

No. Previous GPAs do not transfer to B-CU. When a student enrolls at B-CU, a new GPA is established after the first semester
of classes. However, all grades, all courses, and all previously attended institutions are counted in the admission process. Applicants with a GPA below 2.0 are not admissible to the university.

I am planning to transfer to B-CU. How do I know what classes I should take if I'm interested in a specific major?

Transfer applicants are able to receive a transcript evaluation from the registrar’s office.

I'm transferring to B-CU. When will I find out if credits transfer?

Admitted students with college or university credit will be able to access their official transfer credit evaluation approximately six weeks after they receive their admissions packet.

What are the English language proficiency requirements for international students?

If a student lives in a country where the language of instruction is not primarily in English, we require them to take a TOEFL test. Again, this is the only test we accept at this time. If they provide a letter from the Dean or Principal of the school stating that the language of instruction is in English then the TOEFL can be waived.

When do I receive my I-20 form?

Finance Questions

What scholarships are available?

Academic Scholarships

Bethune-Cookman University recognizes outstanding achievement in prospective students by offering a range of scholarship programs and in our enrolled students by recognizing and rewarding continuing academic achievement. For incoming students, scholarship consideration is based on credentials submitted with the student’s application for admissions. Students who meet criteria specified for a scholarship and have been accepted for admission to the University will be recommended to the scholarship committee for consideration. To be considered, the student’s high school transcript must include the seventh (7th) semester grades Please apply for admissions well before December 1 to be considered since there are a limited number of scholarships.

How does financial aid work?

Although international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, students can investigate other financial resources, including educational loans, grants, and on-campus employment 

Campus Life Questions

Where is B-CU located?

Located in Daytona Beach, 45 minutes from Orlando and home of the World’s Most Famous Beach, Nascar, Bike Week and Spring Break. Drivers can exit the interstate highway system and be on campus in fewer than ten minutes. Students
with homes a far distance from B-CU appreciate the option of flying out of Daytona Beach International airport or catching an inexpensive shuttle to the Orlando airport.

What is Bethune-Cookman University’s campus like?

B-CU's 82 acre campus is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The size of the campus is relatively small with more than 30
buildings and beautiful landscaping for outdoor enjoyment. This small, family-oriented campus is divided by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, which is formerly known as Second Avenue. Although, upper division students can bring cars to campus, most students choose to walk or bike to travel around campus.

Am I required to live on campus?

Freshmen must live on campus unless they live with a parent or legal guardian within a 50-mile radius of campus. Many
students choose to live on campus because of the convenience and affordability of University Housing.

What are the housing options on campus?

Freshmen are required to live on campus. The four freshmen female residential halls on campus are Cutis Hall, Meigs Hall, Ja-Flo
Hall and Joyner Hall. The residential halls available for freshmen males are Bronson Hall and LeFevre Hall. For some
residential halls, certain GPAs are required. Most of the rooms in the 6 freshmen residence halls are double occupancy and are furnished with twin beds, desks and chairs, chest of drawers, and closet and shelf. All halls contain bathroom accommodations (either community baths with ample private showering and toilet facilities or suite-style baths shared between two rooms), study
rooms, laundry facilities, cable TV access, Ethernet access, meeting spaces, snack and beverage vending machines, and TV lounges. All halls are close to dining facilities, ATMs, computer labs, and exercise facilities.

What are the dining options on campus?

The campus has one cafeteria, located next to the Parlin Center. Within minutes, from anywhere on campus, students can walk
the Club Café in the Wendell P. Holmes Business Building and the Wildcat Café in the Parlin Center. The dining hall provides three meals a day. For breakfast, several types of meats are available, grits, eggs, cheese grits, oatmeal, boiled eggs and cereal are also options. There is even a waffle line for those wanting the to indulge. There are a minimum of two entrées and at
least one meatless entrée; fresh-baked desserts; signature soup, deli, and salad bars during the lunch and dinner hours; and special events every month. Several meal plan options are available, ranging from just a few meals per week to unlimited access to the undergraduate dining halls during hours of operation.

Can I bring a car to campus?

First-year undergraduate students are not permitted to have vehicles on campus. Most students walk or bike to navigate
around campus. Once students reach sophomore status, they are permitted to have a registered vehicle on campus along with purchasing a decal for $20. Although several parking lots are available, parking is limited.

Yes. Campus jobs are plentiful, and the Financial Aid building or Career Services Office is a good resource to locate a job that fits your skills, interest, and availability.