The Converse II Experience

Through Converse II, students ages 25 and older, who have been enrolled at Converse for less than four semesters or transferred to Converse with 60 or fewer credit hours taken within the last five years, may enter or return to college to complete undergraduate degrees, earn second undergraduate degrees, or enrich themselves personally or professionally. Converse II students are fully integrated and receive the same high-quality education as our traditional undergraduate students. Outstanding features of the program are a reduced tuition rate, simplified application procedure, no SAT or entrance test scores required, career counseling, and individualized academic advisement. The Converse II experience is an integral part of Converse University—the teaching faculty and academic requirements for the degree are the same for both traditional-aged and Converse II students.

Any student who is a high school graduate or has obtained a GED or HSED and who is at least 25 years old, or has their 25th birthday within the semester for which admission is requested, who has been enrolled at Converse for less than four semesters or transferred to Converse with 60 or fewer credit hours taken within the last five years, is eligible to apply. It is the policy of Converse to support non-traditional students and offer them a learning environment that is inclusive and an integral part of the broader University.

Steps in the application process include the following:

  1. A completed application (converse.edu/apply).
     
  2. Official transcripts from all college(s) or universities attended at the time of application.
     
  3. Applicants from the state of South Carolina must submit a high school transcript. All other transfer students who have not successfully completed at least a two-year program must submit a high school transcript.
     
  4. Minimum cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
     
  5. The transcript of courses taken at another college should reflect a high quality of work. No credit is transferable for work below a C grade. A 2.75 cumulative grade-point average is required for admission to a teacher education program equivalent standards have been met.
     
  6. Submit a Transfer Student Information form from your most recently attended institution.
     
  7. Students whose first language is one other than English should submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Duolingo. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 79-80 (internet) is required.
     
  8. International students must submit the Declaration of Finances form.  Please see below for more detailed instructions for International applicants.
     
  9. A reference form may be required.
     
  10. Personal Insight Questions may be required.

Each admitted applicant is assigned one of three classifications:

  1. Degree-Seeking candidate (including Second-degree seeking candidate)

  2. Non-degree Seeking candidate

  3. Provisional candidate (degree candidate)

Degree candidates may be full-time or part-time and may enroll in any major course of study, subject to departmental criteria. There are no time limits on graduation, but the student must maintain the academic standards set forth in the “Academic Regulations” section of the Student Handbook and in this catalog. Non-degree-seeking candidates may take courses for credit without completing the full admission process. Please see above for admission requirements pertaining to freshman and transfer students. Provisional students are those applicants whose high school record is below that of students who are usually accepted, and those who have college work with a GPA below 2.5. Students being considered for provisional status must show maturity and motivation that would indicate the potential for success at Converse. Once accepted into Converse II, students may, with departmental approval, enroll in any of the courses and degree programs available at the University. When Converse II students complete at least 60 semester hours of work at Converse, they may graduate “with honors” when grade point ratios are 3.5 or above. Academic regulations are the same for Converse II students as for other students, and it is the student’s responsibility to know and fulfill curriculum requirements.

Converse II students are eligible to apply for federal and state grants as well as a variety of loan programs. Certain restrictions apply to students receiving financial assistance such as a minimum number of credit hours enrolled per semester and classification as a full degree candidate. For fees and financial assistance see the “Fees and Financial Assistance” section in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Readmission of Former Converse II Students

Please see above regarding the policy for the readmission and re-enrolling of students.