Future Students Bible College Admissions

Admissions

Within the context of our theological conviction and mission, it is Prairie’s policy concerning the admission of students, not to discriminate on the basis of the applicant’s race, colour, gender, or ethnic origin.

Admission to Prairie Bible College is based on three criteria: your personal Christian life and testimony (character), academic performance and English language proficiency.

To attend Prairie Bible College, you need to be a Christian with a desire to study God’s Word and a willingness to live in accordance with Christian principles.

Canadian Students from Alberta
Admission to Prairie programs requires a high school graduation with a minimum of a 60% average in the following Alberta high school courses: English 30/33, Social Studies 30/33, and a 30/33-level science, math, or foreign language course (if taken).

Applicants who do not meet this requirement may submit a written request to have it waived on the basis of motivation and improved academic skills. An Admissions Committee, composed of the Director of Admissions, the Registrar, and the Director of Student Services and Career Development, will make a decision on the request. Students admitted by this process will enter on Academic Probation, which imposes certain restrictions and requires certain accountability measures.

Canadian Students From Other Provinces
In most Canadian provinces, grade 12 is equivalent to the Alberta Secondary School Diploma. The exceptions are:

Quebec: Successful completion of one year of CEGEP required.

Ontario: Old curriculum: Admission requires completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the grade 12 advanced level with a minimum 60% combined average in six grade 12 courses including English. Those students who have completed OAC courses may be eligible for transfer credit for certain courses.

New curriculum: Admission requires completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a minimum 60% combined average in ENG4U "English" plus five other Grade 12 U or UC courses.

Students from the United States
Students graduating from Grade 12 in the United States of America are eligible to apply for admission to Prairie. High school graduation with a minimum 60% average is required. Although not required, students are encouraged to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission. Students in good standing at a college or university in the United States are also eligible to apply for admission and may receive transfer credits.

American Students are required to have Student Authorization. If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need to apply at a Canadian Consulate; instead, you will obtain a Student Authorization at the Canadian port of entry (border crossing or airport) when you enter. Be prepared to present:

• Your college acceptance letter;

• Immigration letter (sent to you upon acceptance);

• Passport (As of January 2007, U.S. citizens, traveling between the United States and Canada, will be required to present a valid passport. If you don't currently have a passport, please make arrangements to obtain this well in advance of your program start date.)

• Proof of sufficient funds for one year (a bank cheque [not a personal cheque] or statement, PBI account receipt, or a letter from your sponsor on official letterhead stationery). Canadian Immigration charges $125.00 (subject to change) for Student Authorization documents at the border.

U.S. students are permitted by Canadian law to work on our campus during their time of studies. If you (or your spouse) would like to seek employment on our campus during your stay at Prairie, you will need to notify the Canadian Immigration Officers at the border. Please make sure that when obtaining your Student Authorization, you make mention of your desire to work on campus. If you have any questions concerning this process contact the Admissions Office at 1-800-661-2425.

International Students
If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States or Canada, you should begin the application process several months before the semester you plan to enroll. We suggest the following dates for application: before May 1 for the Fall Semester and before September 1 for the Winter Semester.

All international students are urged to carefully assess their ability to meet the requirements and to keep the following important things in mind:

Upon receipt of all application materials, the Admissions Committee will evaluate your application. An application for admission will not be considered complete until all required documents have been received (application, transcripts, medical form and references).

International students who do not have English as their first language must submit proof of English proficiency by completing:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 173 on the computer-based test or 500 for the paper-based test, OR

• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam with an overall band score of 6.0.

Note: Meeting these test scores does not guarantee admission to the College and additional testing may be required before admittance is granted.

When you have been notified of your acceptance, you will be asked to deposit enough money for one year's expenses (tuition and room and board) and return transportation to your home country. Once this money is received, an official Student Authorization letter will be sent. Application should be made immediately to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate for a Student Visa. Students must obtain a Student Visa prior to leaving their home country.

When you apply for your Visa you will be required to provide satisfactory evidence to the Canadian Immigration authorities that you are able to meet your educational costs and living expenses. We will be happy to supply you with an estimate of costs for study at Prairie. Student Visas are only issued to full-time students.

Home Schooled Students
Prairie welcomes applications from home graduates of home-based schools. Applicants who are unable to provide provincially/state-examined senior course results are evaluated individually in order to determine their preparedness for post-secondary studies. Home-based learners must be at least 17 years of age in September of their enrollment year and must submit the following:

1. Complete application (application, testimony, medical, and references).

2. Transcript from home school association or self-reporting transcript (obtained through the Prairie Enrollment Office).

3. One of the following:

• Acceptable college entrance test scores (SAT – 900 or ACT – 20)

• GED (General Education Diploma).

Letter of Permission (Visiting) Students
From time-to-time students who are currently enrolled at other post-secondary institutions express a desire to include Prairie Bible College as a part of their post-secondary educational plans. These students would like their degree to come from their “home” institution but would like to take courses at Prairie to transfer back to their program. The following guidelines are applied to such students:

1. Letter of Permission students would go through a simplified application for admission process. This would consist of:

a. An application form;

b. Applicable application fees;

c. A letter of permission from the school to which to credits are being transferred (includes the student’s GPA, the courses they are permitted to take and a list of required prerequisites they have completed, if applicable);

d. A Pastor or church leader reference form. In the case of students who are currently enrolled at another Christian post-secondary institution this requirement may be waived.

2. Letter of Permission students are permitted to complete up to nine courses. If they desire to pursuer further courses beyond these nine then the regular application process must be completed and the student must be formally admitted into a Prairie program.

3. Students may take a maximum of five courses per semester on a Letter of Permission. Students may take a maximum of nine courses in total and should be aware that they are not eligible to receive a degree or certificate from Prairie Bible College. Students are required to complete a transcript request form (available from the Registration Office) near the end of the semester in order to finalize the official transfer of grades.

Mature Student Status
If you have not completed high school but feel that you are capable of studying at a college level, we encourage you to complete the application process. A limited number of mature students (aged 21 or older) may be allowed to enroll with less than the standard academic requirement

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