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Understanding the ADMISSONS Process

Admission decisions are based on a comprehensive review of your application, including your academic record, extracurricular achievements, and potential to succeed at LEC. We look for students who will contribute to our community meaningfully, bringing academic excellence and a strong commitment to service.

Once we receive your application and all required documents, we will process your application, and you will receive a decision within two weeks. At any point, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions by calling

1.855.GO STORM!

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Transferring to Lake Erie College

Whether you’re completing your degree or exploring a new direction, Lake Erie College makes the transfer process easy and rewarding.

You’ll work one-on-one with an Admission Counselor who will guide you through every step — from evaluating credits to creating a personalized path toward graduation.

Steps to Transfer

Submit your Transfer Student Application
Send your official college/university transcripts
Pay your $200 enrollment deposit

Transfer Scholarships

Transfer students are eligible for up to $23,000 in a renewable, merit-based scholarship.

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International Students at Lake Erie College

If you are not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, you are considered an international student.
Applying is simple — follow the steps below and contact the Office of Admission with any questions.

Step 1: Submit Required Application Materials

Online Application for Admission
International Supplement to the online application
Official Transcripts (high school and/or college)
- Must be in English
- Must include a U.S. GPA equivalent (4.0 scale)
- Use an approved agency: World Education Services, Education Credential Evaluators, or TEC (formerly SpanTran)
English Proficiency (for ESL students)
- TOEFL: 550 (paper) or 79 (iBT)
- IELTS: 6.0
- STEP Eiken: 1st or Pre-1st Grade (for Japanese students)
- Ask about our test-optional policy!

Step 2: Submit Financial Aid Documents

LEC International Student Financial Aid Application
Supporting Documents (e.g., tax forms, employment letters, bank statements, sponsor letters)

If financial support comes from someone other than the student, a Financial Support Document (provided by Admissions) must be completed by the sponsor and returned directly.

Estimated International Student Budget

Direct Costs

Enrollment & Housing Deposit: $300 (one-time)
I-20 Processing Fee: $200 (one-time)
Orientation Fee: $200 (first-year) or $50 (transfer)
International Activities Fee: $150/semester

Personal Budget (not paid to the college)

Books/Supplies: $1,000/year
Personal Expenses: $1,000/year
Travel & Insurance: $1,000/year
Total Personal Budget: $3,000/year

Students must show proof of financial support for both direct costs and the $3,000 personal budget before the I-20 can be issued.

Important Deadlines for Fall Semester:

Application Deadline: May 1
Admission Deadline: June 1
Tuition Due: July 15

Important Deadlines for Spring Semester:

Application Deadline: September 15
Admission Deadline: October 15
Tuition Due: November 15

Late applications may still be considered, but meeting deadlines ensures timely visa processing and arrival.

Health Insurance

All international students must show proof of health insurance before moving into campus housing.

International Student Scholarship

All undergraduate international students automatically qualify for the Garfield International Student Scholarship:

$20,000/year – GPA 3.25+
$17,000/year – GPA below 3.25

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Applying to Lake Erie College

Lake Erie College has been helping students launch their futures since 1856. We believe in your potential — and we make the application process simple and supportive. We take a holistic approach to admission, considering your academics, activities, and community involvement.

Here is what you’ll need:

Application
- Traditional, Online, Fast App, or Common App
Transcript
- Official high school transcript

Optional:

ACT or SAT Test Scores
- Lake Erie College's Test-Optional Admission Policy
Essay (500 words)
- An essay is optional for admission. Applicants are encouraged to submit the essay at the time of application.

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Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are based on your full portfolio and the probability of your success as a part of the LEC community.
In the application review process, we strive to discover students who will bring academic and creative achievements, proven commitments to community service, and the potential to make significant contributions to our campus community.

Furthermore, LEC seeks talented students who show the capacity to develop analytical minds, uphold civic and global responsibilities,
contribute to our athletic programs, adhere to sound ethical principles, and respect individuality.

You are expected to be enrolled in a college preparatory course of study in secondary school in order to have a solid academic foundation to begin college-level coursework. The cumulative grade point average in the core academic classes should be no lower than 2.2 on a 4.0 scale.

This course of study should include:

4 years of English
3 years of math
3 years of natural science (2 with lab component)
3 years of history and/or social studies
2 years of foreign language

Student Confirmation Deposit Guideline - May 1

All admitted first-time freshmen wishing to reserve a seat in the freshman class must submit a $200 new student enrollment deposit.
You are encouraged to submit your deposit as soon as you are certain that LEC is your college choice; room assignments and roommate preferences are based on the date of submission priority. Additional deposit information and the Confirmation of Enrollment form will arrive with the acceptance package.
The enrollment deposit is fully refundable up until May 1.

Lake Erie College adheres to the National Candidates Reply Date of May 1; however, we will continue to honor confirmation deposits for all students on a space-available basis until the first day of fall classes.

Audit Policy

Lake Erie College does not offer auditing of courses to external parties. Prospective students can either enroll as a part-time student for courses they wish to take for a transcripted grade at part-time tuition rates or current students can request to take a course P/F.

Graduate: Audit Policy

Degree seeking students may audit one course per semester and must inform the Registrar’s Office of their intent at the time of registration. The tuition and fees are the same for an audited course as they are for a graded course. The course will show on the student’s transcript as “AU” and no credit will be earned. Alumni may audit one course per semester at the level of the degree they received from Lake Erie College. The cost is the per credit hour College Fee. Senior Citizens may audit one course per semester for a nominal fee. Please contact the Registrar’s Office for additional details.

Lake Erie College Undergraduate Admissions Revocation Policy

Institutional Policy on Readmission of Service Members Following Military Service

Non-Degree Enrollment at Lake Erie College

Lake Erie College offers opportunities for individuals who wish to take courses for college credit without pursuing a degree. Non-degree students include College Credit Plus (CCP) participants, students enrolled at other institutions (transient students), College faculty or staff, alumni, community members, and senior citizens.

Credit earned as a non-degree student may later be applied toward a degree program; however, students must apply and be admitted as degree-seeking students to do so. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid.

Enrollment is limited to regularly scheduled courses and is based on space availability. Not all courses are open to non-degree students. Students must complete a Lifelong Learning/Transient Student Application through the Registrar’s Office. After registration for tuition-paying degree students is complete, enrollment will be granted in courses that meet minimum enrollment and have available seats.

Courses may be taken for a grade or on an audit basis. A maximum of 12 credit hours may be taken as a non-degree student (except for College Credit Plus participants).

Alumni Audit

Lake Erie College alumni may enroll in one course (up to four credit hours per semester) on a non-degree audit basis.

Audit courses: Charged the College Fee per credit hour (see Tuition and Fee Schedule).
Graded courses: Charged Tuition plus College Fee per credit hour.
Alumni may enroll only in courses at the level of the degree they previously earned.

College Credit Plus (CCP)

High school students may earn college credit through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program. This program allows qualified students to take college-level classes as a supplement to their high school education.

Contact the Office of Admissions for CCP application details and policies. The 12-credit-hour limit does not apply to CCP students.

Learn more about College Credit Plus at Lake Erie College here.

Lifelong Learners and Senior Citizens

Individuals not seeking a degree or certification may enroll as lifelong learners or senior citizens.

Tuition: Standard Tuition and College Fee per credit hour for undergraduate coursework (see Tuition and Fee Schedule at catalog.lec.edu).
Requirements: Instructor approval, space availability, and completion of all prerequisites.
Proof of age is required.

For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office.

Transient Students

Transient students are those enrolled in a degree program at another college or university who wish to take a course at Lake Erie College during the summer, fall, or spring term.

An approved Transient Student Application, verifying academic eligibility, is required. Tuition and fees are charged per the Tuition and Fee Schedule. Transient students are not eligible for federal financial aid at Lake Erie College.

Cross-Registration Students

Through the Northeast Ohio Higher Education Consortium, full-time students at participating institutions may take one course per semester at Lake Erie College as cross-registration students.

Tuition and fees are waived in accordance with inter-institutional agreements.

Contact the Registrar's Office

Application Process for Graduate Students

Bachelor’s Degree

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Transcripts

Submit official undergraduate transcripts, as well as transcripts for any completed graduate coursework.
Transcripts must be sent directly to the Admissions Office by the degree-granting institution.

GMAT Requirements

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) may be required at the discretion of Lake Erie College faculty.
Applicants who have taken the GMAT should request that official scores be sent to the Admissions Office.

Transfer Credits

Applicants may request approval to transfer up to six (6) semester credits from an accredited institution toward their interdisciplinary concentration.

Only credits earned within seven (7) years of degree completion will be considered.
A grade of “B” or higher is required for transfer eligibility.

The Graduate Council includes:

The Director of Graduate Studies
Deans of the schools with graduate programs
A faculty representative from each graduate program
The Vice President for Academic Affairs (ex officio)

The Graduate Council oversees all graduate programs at Lake Erie College. Its primary responsibilities include:

Communicating with the Faculty Senate regarding policy discussions, proposals, program reviews, and recommendations related to graduate studies and resources.
Reviewing and assessing both new and existing graduate programs, and providing guidance for future program development.
Serving as a board of appeals for academic petitions related to graduate studies.

Admissions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants are typically notified of their decision within one week of completing their application.

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