Policies for Undergraduate & Graduate Admission

Studying at Soka University of America 

All students seeking to study at Soka University of America must be formally admitted. Soka University of America admits qualified students regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, religious creed, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, status as a disabled veteran, marital status, medical condition, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law and thereafter accords them all the rights and privileges generally made available to students at the institution. 

 

Admission Checklist and Documents 

Applicants are responsible for managing their checklist and ensuring the Office of Admission or Office of Graduate Admission receives their required or requested documents by the listed application deadline(s) to be considered by the admission committees. Applicants who submit their application can manage their requirements by accessing their GoSoka! Account at go.soka.edu. 

All documents delivered to Soka University of America or provided with the application become the property of Soka University of America and cannot be returned, including official transcripts submitted for credit earned at other institutions. 

Soka University of America may require that an applicant obtain an evaluation of their academic credit from an outside organization that provides foreign credential evaluation services to evaluate transfer credits from foreign institutions. 

Faxed, scanned, emailed, and late application materials will not be accepted. 

All documents and materials received are subject to validation and verification for authenticity. 

 

Documents not in English 

Documents not in English will require English translations. Applicants must provide an English translation of the original document as well as the original document. All translations must be complete and literal with no attempts to interpret or evaluate the document, prepared in the same format as the original document, and signed by a translator attesting to the familiarity with the foreign language. It is preferred that translations be provided by either the institution providing the credential or a translation agency. Translations may not be provided by the student or members of their family. 

 

Admission Decisions 

Soka University of America may select its students, deny, or rescind any offer of admission at its sole discretion based on the best interest of Soka University of America and the applicant’s qualifications, including, but not limited to: 

• Applicants who do not completely and accurately disclose required information or falsification of documentation (applicants found to submit altered, forged, or falsified documentation, may be denied admission or have any admission offer rescinded). 

• Inappropriate behavior by applicants, including those that pose a threat, present a danger to the college community, or other behaviors where it is considered to be in the best interest of the college. 

 

Decisions are usually released by the following calendar dates: 

• Undergraduate Early Action: December 8 

• Undergraduate Regular Admission: Between March 1 and March 15 

• Graduate Regular Admission: April 2  

 

Terms of Admission 

All offers of admission are conditional, pending receipt of final transcripts (by August 1) showing work comparable in quality to that which was offered at the time of admission and certifying the diploma/degree earned and official date of completion/graduation. 

Students offered admission are expected to indicate their intent to enroll and submit a non-refundable $400 enrollment deposit. The Office of Admission must receive the enrollment deposit for the student by May 1 of the year the applicant applied to.

Admission offers are valid for the term the student has applied for.  

Students who seek to defer their admission may do so after confirming their intent to enroll with a $400 enrollment deposit. Admission offers can be deferred for up to one year (extended periods can be appealed to the Dean of Enrollment Services). 

 

Privacy 

The status of the file and the information it contains are confidential. Information will be revealed, at the discretion of the Office of Admission or Office of Graduate Admission and in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, only to the applicant or to individuals whose names the applicant has provided in writing to the Office of Admission or Office of Graduate Admission.