Admissions

In order to pursue an Arts and Sciences degree you must meet the admission requirements of the College (see below). The College requires that your high school work include extensive reading and writing experience and the study of algebra and geometry. You should take a selection of social sciences courses and several natural sciences courses, including at least one in laboratory instruction. We require that you have at least two years of one foreign language, and recommend more if possible. Generally, one year of high school language equals one semester of the same language at UNL. A placement test in French, German, and Spanish is required before continuing in these languages at UNL; the results will help you and your adviser determine your optimum level of study. Students who are studying other languages will work with an adviser about placement.

Although a broad background in humanities and social and natural sciences is the best preparation for entering any field in the College, you may want to take, in addition to the minimum College requirements, courses in the area in which you plan to study. Advisers in the Arts and Sciences Advising Center and for the individual programs will be happy to discuss which of these additional courses would be best to take.

Generally speaking, your best preparation in high school is to do well in courses that help you develop your writing, thinking, and analytical skills, skills which are vital for further study in any humanities or science field.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements for admission into the College, you should still apply for admission. Each student will be considered individually for demonstration of success at university-level work.

Admission to the College of Arts and Sciences
To be admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences, your high school work should include:

English: 4 Units. All units must include intensive reading and writing experience. Innovative interdisciplinary courses and courses in speech and journalism may be substituted if they include substantial amounts of reading and writing.

Mathematics: 4 Units. These must include Algebra I, II, and geometry, and one additional unit that builds on a knowledge of algebra.

Social Sciences: 3 Units. Students must take at least one unit of American and/or world history and one additional unit of history, American government, and/or geography.

Natural Sciences: 3 Units. These must include at least two units selected from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences. One of the units must include laboratory instruction.

Foreign Language: 2 Units in the same language. Students who are unable to take two years of the same foreign language in high school may still qualify for admission.

In addition students should:

Students who do not meet the above requirements for assured admission should still apply for admission. Each application will receive individual review for demonstration of potential for success at university-level work.

For more information on undergraduate admissions visit the Office of Admission Web site at http://admissions.unl.edu/.