Other Admission Categories

Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP)

Shepherd University participates with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command in the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP), which permits eligible Army enlistees to receive admission to the University concurrent with their military enlistment and defer their University enrollment for classes for up to two years after discharge, and matriculate as veterans after they leave active duty. ConAP enlistees receive information and applications about the program from their Army recruiter. After receiving the completed forms from the Army’s battalion education specialist, the Office of Admissions will send the enlistee the necessary University admissions applications. Shepherd University will serve as the enlistee’s “home university” and will approve, for transfer back to Shepherd, courses from other universities which are taken while the enlistee is on active duty. The director of admissions at Shepherd serves as the liaison with the enlistee while in the military and a selected faculty member will serve as the enlistee’s advisor.

Admission to Limited Enrollment Programs

Certain degree programs at Shepherd University have limited enrollment due either to enrollment capacity limitations or to special academic requirements. The University reserves the right to establish limited enrollment for additional programs at any time.

When enrollment is limited due to capacity constraints, the University will take in-state residency into consideration as a preferred criterion, but not as a controlling criterion. Applicants will be evaluated by the department faculty through interviews, portfolios, or auditions. See individual programs in this Catalog for specific details on admission requirements and evaluation criteria.

Admission to the MedSTEP Program

The MedSTEP program (Medical Students in the Eastern Panhandle) is an innovative program available to incoming freshmen. It is specifically designed for students with a desire to attend medical school and provides dual admission to Shepherd and West Virginia University Medical School.

The MedSTEP program is a highly selective program that assures that bright, dedicated students attending Shepherd University may automatically continue their training to become physicians at WVU Medical School. The program is open to students who are committed to becoming physicians in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

The following items are needed for your application:

• Completed MedSTEP applications;

• High school total GPA ≥ to 3.6 (send official school transcripts);

• ACT score ≥ 24; or SAT scores ≥ to 1100 (send official copy of scores);

• Letter of recommendation from your high school science teacher (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Letter of recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Letter of recommendation from a community leader (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Personal statement describing your interest in becoming a medical doctor and in entering the MedSTEP program.

See the Shepherd University Web site for the current deadline of application and letters deadline for fall enrollment. Applications are due by February 15 for fall enrollment. Students selected will be interviewed during the month of March and successful candidates will be notified in April or May.

The PharmSTEP (Pharmacy Students in the Eastern Panhandle) program is designed for incoming freshmen at Shepherd University who have a desire to attend pharmacy school.

The PharmSTEP program assures that bright, dedicated students attending Shepherd University may automatically continue their training to become pharmacists at WVU School of Pharmacy. The program is open to students who are committed to becoming pharmacists in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

• Completed PharmSTEP application;

• High school total GPA ≥ 3.6 (send official school transcript);

• ACT math score ≥ 26; or SAT math scores ≥ 600 (send official copy of scores);

• Letter of recommendation from your high school math or science teacher (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Letter of recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Letter of recommendation from a community leader (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Personal statement describing your interest in becoming a pharmacist and in entering the PharmSTEP program.

See the Shepherd University Web site for the current deadline of application and letters deadline for fall enrollment. Students selected will be interviewed during the month of March and successful candidates will be notified in April or May.

Admission to the DentSTEP Program

The DentSTEP program (Dental Students in the Eastern Panhandle) is an innovative and highly selective program, cosponsored by West Virginia University School of Dentistry and Shepherd University. This program is available to incoming freshmen. It is specifically designed for students with a desire to attend the dental school.

The DentSTEP program assures that bright, dedicated students attending Shepherd University may continue their training to become dentists at WVU School of Dentistry. It is open to students who are committed to becoming dentists in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

The following items are needed for your application

• Completed DentSTEP application;

• High school total GPA ≥ to 3.75 (send official school transcript);

• Minimum ACT score ≥ 24; or SAT scores ≥ to 1100 (send official copy of scores);

• Letter of recommendation from your high school science teacher (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Letter of recommendation from your high school math teacher (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Letter of recommendation from your high school principal or guidance counselor (accompanied by recommendation form);

• Letter of recommendation citing your communication skills and/or community service;

• Personal statement of your interest in the program;

• Personal interview.

See the Shepherd University Web site for the current deadline of application and letters deadline for fall enrollment. Students selected will be interviewed during the month of March and successful candidates will be notified in April or May.

Admission of Students with Disabilities

In accordance section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and by 45 CFR 84, “Nondiscrimination on Basis of Disability,” Shepherd University is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in the areas of employment, program accessibility, admissions, accessibility of physical facilities, treatment of students, academic adjustments, housing, financial aid, employment assistance to students, and in nonacademic services. No otherwise qualified person with a disability shall on the basis of their disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program sponsored by the University. Some disabilities may be considered a barrier to completion or admission into the nursing education program.

University officials desire to provide assistance when and where possible to students with disabilities. To do this, however, they must have reasonable notice of the special accommodations they will be asked to provide. Inquiries or requests should be directed to the campus Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator.