Admissions FAQ

An applicant is considered on the total picture the student’s credentials present. High school students will be considered competitive for admission if they present a rigorous course of college preparatory academic studies. Students should have an above average core cumulative grade-point average and rank in the top half of their graduating classes. A strong correlation between high school grades and test scores is expected. Any college level work is also expected to be at the above average level. The essay, list of activities, and recommendations are also strongly considered as positive indicators of success at Belmont. Additional requirements such as portfolios or auditions are considered as part of the application to specific majors as applicable. Each application is considered on an individual basis. No two applicants will present the same credentials or the same degree of “fit” with the university. Our desire is to work with each student to determine the likelihood for that student to enroll, graduate, and benefit from the Belmont educational experience.

See Belmont's Freshman Profile.

Freshman Application Deadlines

Transfer Application Deadlines

International Application Deadlines

Freshman applicants, who are best prepared to be successful at Belmont, generally will have completed, as a minimum, the following course requirements as part of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum while in high school:

• Four years of English
• Three years of Math, including Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra II (most students will have four years)
• Three years of lab-based Science, such as Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics
• Two to three years of Social Studies, including U.S. History (most students will have three years)
• Two or more years of the same Foreign Language completed while in high school (most students will have three years)

Students who complete college coursework while in high school will, in most cases, receive credit for the work completed, provided it meets the following guidelines:

1. The course work is completed through a college or university accredited by one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Courses may not be remedial in nature.
3. Courses match up (are equivalent in content) with courses offered at Belmont.
4. While any course in which the student receives a passing grade is eligible for consideration as transfer credit, a student must earn a grade of “C” or better in any course which could then be considered for equivalence to a general education, major or minor course at Belmont.
5. For those students who enroll at Belmont, an official transcript from each college or university where work was completed must be submitted to Belmont in order for the appropriate credit to be determined and awarded.

Students who wish to transfer less than 30 hours of college credit are advised to take all math courses at Belmont.  To see a list of general education course requirements for each degree option at Belmont, go here, making sure to select the appropriate degree from the list of options at the top of the page. A more detailed explanation of the credit transfer process can be found in the university catalog here.

Students are welcome to utilize Transferology to see how their courses may transfer to Belmont. Transferology is a free tool that will show students course equivalencies. Click below to check out our Transferology page.

University credit is awarded in the amount carried by the course for which the student is receiving advanced placement. This credit is recorded as “P” and is not used in calculating overall grade point average. A maximum total of 24 hours of credit may be earned through Advanced Placement, I.B., and / or CLEP combined.

Students who have attended Belmont previously are considered on the same basis as new applicants to the university for that particular term. If a student has attended any other college or university since the last term of enrollment at Belmont, official transcripts must be submitted. 

Contact the Office of Admissions to determine what particular requirements may be needed if you have any questions. Re-enrollment cannot be considered if the student has any pending business with Belmont or any other institution attended whether in the form of a financial, disciplinary, or academic obligation. Once those issues have been resolved and the Office of Admissions has been notified of the resolution in writing, the application will be considered. The university reserves the right to refuse admission to a student on any grounds deemed sufficient by the Belmont University administration.

Freshman applicants who wish to be considered for Belmont’s honors program must submit the application for admission by December 1. Notification of Honors admissions decisions will be communicated on a rolling basis within four weeks of being academically admitted to Belmont.  More specific details about the program, including admission requirements and curriculum offerings, can be found online at belmont.edu/honors.

All applicants to the School of Nursing must submit an official high school transcript and while official test scores from either SAT or ACT are optional, students are still welcome to submit test scores for consideration. If a student does not wish to use a test score as part of the admissions process, the admission team will calculate their math and science GPA. A nursing applicant must be a licensed registered nurse or have a previous bachelor’s degree to be exempt from this requirement. Further information may be found on the nursing site.

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio in order to be considered for admission to the Songwriting major. The portfolio will consist of the applicant’s two original songs and corresponding lyrics via YouTube, plus a written online application portion. Portfolios will be reviewed five times annually and must be submitted by 11:59 pm (CST) on October 1, November 15, February 1, March 15, or July 1 (the July 1 date is for transfer students only) for consideration.  Specific instructions regarding the portfolio process as well as general information about the major can be found online at belmont.edu/curb/undergrad/songwriting.

Applicants to the School of Music who wish to major or minor in Music are required to complete an audition. Once a student submits an application to the university as a Music major, the student will be prompted to complete a supplemental application to the School of Music and register for either an in-person or video audition. Those students wishing to pursue a Music minor (classical study in voice or instrument) should contact the School of Music (SOM) at somauditions@belmont.edu. Applicants will not receive their School of Music decision until they complete and submit their application and receive their notification of acceptance to Belmont as a whole.  Applicants who are academically admissible to the university but do not have a successful audition or portfolio review may choose to enroll at Belmont in a major outside of the College of Music and Performing Arts. An applicant who is academically inadmissible to the university cannot be considered for admission to the College of Music and Performing Arts. Additional information, including audition dates and requirements, can be found at belmont.edu/music.

Applicants for the B.F.A. degree in Theatre are required to either complete an audition or submit a portfolio depending upon their area of emphasis (applicants pursuing the B.A. in Theatre and Drama are exempt from this requirement).  Applicants for the B.F.A. program will receive an email after they submit their Belmont application with details on how to audition or submit a portfolio. Applicants who audition or submit a portfolio prior to all application materials being received will not learn of their admission to the university until their application file is complete and a decision has been mailed. Applicants who are academically admissible to the university but do not have a successful audition or portfolio review may choose to enroll at Belmont in a major outside of the College of Music and Performing Arts. An applicant who is academically inadmissible to the university cannot be considered for admission to the College of Music and Performing Arts. Additional information, including audition and portfolio requirements, can be found at belmont.edu/theatre. 

Students applying with GED or HiSET results will need to have their official scores sent from the Department of Education or ETS, respectively. Please also have official high school transcripts sent in for any coursework completed in the classroom. Please reach out to your admissions counselor with any additional questions.

Belmont does not have a formal deferral process. Admitted students withdraw and reapply for their desired entry term. Belmont will keep all documents and an application fee waiver can be requested. Please reach out to your admissions counselor with any questions.

When to apply: Apply during your gap year or the fall before you plan to enroll. 

Student type: Students are considered a new freshman unless they completed college coursework post high school graduation.

Required items: A final high school transcript and school counselor recommendation must be submitted by the student’s high school.