General Admission Requirements and Procedures

Mature Applicants are persons who satisfy all of the following requirements;

1. are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and
2. do not meet the normal admission requirements as published in this Calendar, and
3. have been away from full-time studies for a minimum of two calendar years, and
4. have not attended a university or college as full-time students.

Applicants who meet the definition of Mature Applicant will be considered for admission to a B.A. program in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or in the Faculty of Public Affairs, or to a degree program in Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science, Humanities, Industrial Design, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology, or Social Work.

These applicants are required to submit proof of age, biographical information and a transcript of their most recent studies.

Admission to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, or to the Faculty of Public Affairs

Mature Applicants will normally be admitted to the first year of a B.A. degree program in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences or Public Affairs and Management, or the first year of the undergraduate degree program in Social Work if they have:

1. secondary school graduation in an academic program (the overall average required is dependent upon the degree or program for which the student is applying), or
2. completed, as a Special student at Carleton University, one appropriate full credit (or two half-credits) with C- or higher standing in the first attempt (or in both of the first two half-credit course attempts), or
3. other academic or work experience which, in the opinion of the admissions committee, indicates a likelihood of success at university.

Note: Applicants to B.A. Biology must present a 4U (or equivalent) course in chemistry. Applicants to B.A. Economics must present a 4U (or equivalent) course in calculus.

Mature Applicants are not usually considered for admission to programs in Business, Journalism, Music, or Public Affairs and Policy Management. If, however, at the end of their first year in another degree program, they meet the requirements for one of the above-mentioned programs, they can apply to transfer to that program.

Admission to the Schools of Architecture, Computer Science, and Industrial Design

Mature Applicants can be considered for admission to the first year in the Schools of Architecture, Computer Science, or Industrial Design if they have the prerequisite subjects for the program to which they wish to apply and if they have:

1. secondary school graduation in an academic program (the overall average required is dependent upon the degree or program for which the student is applying, or
2. completed, as a Special student at Carleton University, one appropriate full credit (or two half-credits) with C- or higher standing in the first attempt (or in both of the first two half-credit attempts), or
3. other academic or work experience which, in the opinion of the admissions committee, indicates a likelihood of success at university.

The prerequisite subjects (4U or equivalents) for Architectural Studies, Computer Science, and for Industrial Design are found under Prerequisite Subjects at the end of this section.

Persons applying for admission to these undergraduate degree programs without the prerequisites will not normally be considered until the prerequisite subjects have been successfully completed. All applications are reviewed on an individual basis.

Admission to the Faculty of Engineering

Mature Applicants can be considered for admission to first year of a degree program in the Faculty of Engineering if they have the prerequisite subjects for the program and if they have;

1. secondary school graduation in an academic program (the overall average required is dependent upon the degree or program for which the student is applying), or
2. completed, as a Special student at Carleton University, one appropriate full-credit (or two half-credits) with a C- or higher standing in the first attempt (or in both of the first two half-credit attempts), or
3. other academic or work experience which in the opinion of the admissions committee, indicates a likelihood of success at university.

The prerequisite subjects (4U or equivalent) for Engineering are found under Prerequisite Subjects at the end of this section. A grade of 60 percent or higher is required in each prerequisite subject.

Persons applying for admission to this undergraduate degree program without the necessary prerequisites will not normally be considered until the prerequisite subjects have been successfully completed. All applications are reviewed on an individual basis.

Admission to the Faculty of Science

Mature Applicants can be considered for admission to the first year of a program in the Faculty of Science if they have the prerequisite subjects for the program and if they have:

1. secondary school graduation in an academic program (the overall average required is dependent upon the degree or program for which the student is applying), or
2. completed, as a Special student at Carleton University, one appropriate full-credit (or two half-credits) with a C- or higher standing in the first attempt (or in both of the first two half-credit attempts), or
3. other academic or work experience which in the opinion of the admissions committee, indicates a likelihood of success at university.

The prerequisite subjects (4U or equivalent) for Science are found under Prerequisite Subjects at the end of this section.

Persons applying for admission to this undergraduate degree program without the necessary prerequisites will not normally be considered until the prerequisite subjects have been successfully completed. All applications are reviewed on an individual basis.

Mature Applicants are not usually considered for admission to Honours programs in Science. If, however, at the end of the first year of a General program, they meet the requirements for one of the Honours programs, they can apply to transfer to that program.

Admission to the Bachelor of Information Technology

Mature Applicants can be considered for admission to first year of the Bachelor of Information Technology if they have the prerequisite subjects for the program and if they have:

1. secondary school graduation in an academic program (the overall average is dependent upon the program for which the student is applying, or
2. completed, as a Special Student at Carleton University, one appropriate full-credit (or two half-credits) with a C- or higher standing in the first attempt (or in both of the first two half-credit attempts), or
3. other academic or work experience which, in the opinion of the admissions committee, indicates a likelihood of success at university.

Special Students Wishing to Apply as Mature Applicants

Special students who meet all of the criteria for Mature Applicants can be considered for admission as Mature Applicants if:

1. they have completed, as a Special student, at Carleton University, one appropriate full credit (or two half-credits) with a C- or higher standing in the first attempt (or in both of the first two half-credit attempts), and
2. they are eligible to continue as Special students at Carleton University, and
3. they have completed any additional degree program prerequisite subjects that may be required for a particular program.

Mature Applicants who, as Special students at Carleton University, have not obtained a grade of C- or higher in one full credit (or two half-credits), in the first attempt (or in both of the first two half-credit attempts), can attempt to qualify for subsequent admission through additional courses as a Special student at the University.

Individuals seeking admission under the Mature Applicant status who need further information should inquire at Admissions Services.