The College welcomes any student who wishes to integrate the world of knowledge with the realities of Christian living.  Subject to available space, an individual with the necessary academic background, financial resources, and character references and who is willing to accept the policies of the College as well as to adjust to its philosophical, religious, social, and cultural atmosphere may be admitted to the academic programs.  Hong Kong Adventist College accepts each qualified individual without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, language, color, national origin or religion.  Disabled applicants may be accommodated provided the courses applied for are those, which the applicants are physically able to cope with.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Regular College

An applicant may be admitted upon fulfilling five basic criteria: scholastic achievement, good character, financial support, good health, and intentions and interests in harmony with the philosophy and purpose of the College.  Admission is a privilege.  The College reserves the right of final decision on matters of entrance, retention, and withdrawal.

To be considered academically qualified for regular college admission, a student must attain one of the following standards. 

  1. Completion of an accredited secondary school program (a twelve-year primary and secondary school program under ordinary circumstances) and successful passing of external examinations administered by the official or accredited educational agencies recognized by the local government in the applicant’s country.  Examples of these standards are:
    • For countries using the Chinese School System (People’s Republic of China and Taiwan), the Senior Middle III certificate issued by a government-sponsored central examination syndicate or equivalent (Dong Qiao Zong).
    • Five HKCEE passes. Grade C or higher in at least three subjects, including English Syllabus B. (A minimum of 11 points).
    • Two HKALE passes with grade E or higher in a combination of 1 AL subject and 1 AS subject; or three HKALE passes with grade E or higher in 3AS subjects.
    • Five GCE “O” level passes with English as one of the subjects.
    • Two GCE “A” level passes with grade E or higher.
    • Five MCE/SPM (Malaysia) or five “O” Level (Singapore) passes with a score of 6 or lower in at least three subjects.  The aggregate must not exceed 30.
    • Full M6 certificate issued by the Ministry of Education (Thailand) with a cumulative grade-point average equivalent to at least 2.00 in a four- point system.
    • Full SMA or SMEA certificate issued by the Ministry of Education (Indonesia) with an average grade of at least 6.5 for all the subjects taken, with a minimum total of 70.
    • Graduate with a Senior High School Certificate (Japan and South Korea)
    • High school equivalency test, such as the GED Test with an average standard score of 50 on the five sections of the test and with no score less than 45 on any section.
    • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a total score of 990 or above for the verbal (V) and quantitative (M) sections or a score of 21 composite or higher for the American College Test (ACT).
  2. Successful completion of an accredited Seventh-day Adventist secondary school college-preparatory program at the twelfth-grade level with a minimum 2.00 grade point average or the equivalent.
  3. Successful completion of the College Foundation* program at Hong Kong Adventist College with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and passing all classes.
  4. Successful completion of the first-year of the HKAL program at Hong Kong Adventist College, or Form 6 at any secondary school.
  5. Two HKAL passes with E or higher

*The College Foundation program runs for one academic year and is designed specifically for applicants who are late bloomers or who did not do well in the local secondary system of education.  Upon successful completion of the foundation program with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 and passing all classes, such students may enter the regular college program.  The minimum admission standard for College Foundation is one of the following:

Matriculation - The Hong Kong Advanced Level Program
The minimum admission standards for the Hong Kong A-level program are 10 points (5 HKCEE passes) or 8 points (6 HKCEE passes).

FOREIGN STUDENT POLICY

  1. All foreign students are required to take at least a 16-credit course load per quarter (except for students on academic probation) to fulfill all the major and general studies requirements within the normal 4-year program (required by the Hong Kong Immigration Department) (16 cr x 3 qtr x 4 yr = 192 cr).  Summer quarters provide room for the following :
    • Extra electives
    • Necessary adjustments when programs are lengthened because of repeat, academic probation, etc.
    • Extra language courses as needed to fulfill prerequisites.
    • Courses under curriculum consultants from Walla Walla College (these are required for students in the affiliation program).
  2. Once registered in a specific major, a student may only request for a change in a program through a petition to the Academic Council.  Approval may only be granted on an individual basis as deemed appropriate by the Council based on the reasons given or other criteria.  This change will be immediately reported to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for amendment of their record.
  3. A foreign student who is absent from classes beyond the allowed number of absences (regardless of reasons) may be subjected to suspension from continuing his or her study.  Absences will be reported to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
  4. All foreign students are required to stay in the dormitory unless appropriate arrangement is made through a petition to the Administrative Committee.  Approval for a foreign student to stay elsewhere is subjected to the Council’s discretion.  If the approval is granted, the student’s guardian is required to sign an agreement signifying that he or she will be responsible for the student outside of regular class hours.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
The minimum admission requirement is completion of secondary school (Secondary 5), or age 18.  In addition, an applicant will be admitted on the basis of an interview and an English language placement test.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
A student, who has met the requirements for regular college standing and who has passed additional public examinations, such as the GCE A-Level or the Hong Kong Advanced Level, may be granted advanced standing.  (See pages 51-58) Depending on the subjects taken, a student with a pass in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or its equivalent may also be granted this status.  In the same manner, a student who has already passed professional examinations from recognized professional bodies such as the Association of Certified Accountants (ACA) will receive similar privileges.

STUDENT STATUS

Guest
A student regularly enrolled in other accredited institutions of higher education may take courses at the College, provided that the application so declares and official permission is granted by the Academic Dean or Registrar of the other institution.  The student should be in good and regular standing at the home institution.  Credits earned in this manner may be transferred at the student's request.

Provisional
An applicant, who does not have all the original documentation, may be admitted on a provisional basis for a period of not more than one quarter during which all known deficiencies must be made up.  Credits earned on this basis are not transferable to other institutions until the student is admitted into regular standing.

Special
An applicant, who does not qualify academically as a regular student and who does not plan to complete any college program but is able to benefit from college course work, may be allowed to enroll as a special student.  Work done as a special student is recorded as no credit (NC) and may not be applied to any program at a later date.

Transfer
A student in good and regular standing from accredited colleges and universities may be accepted as a transfer student.

Part-time
A student taking less than 12 credit hours during the regular quarter is considered a part-time student.  Part-time students  during the regular quarter are required to attend chapel periods, service education, and other scheduled school functions.

RE-ADMISSION
A student who has voluntarily broken residence for less than one year will be re-admitted on the basis of prior admission.  A student who has broken residence for more than one school year will be re-admitted according to current Bulletin standards.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES
An applicant for admission must submit all relevant documents and fulfill the following requirements:

  1. A completed admission application form.
  2. A HK$100 application fee (HK$200 or US$30 for foreign applications).  This fee is not refundable.
  3. An official transcript of records from high school(s) and college(s) previously attended.  The applicant is responsible for having these transcripts sent directly from the previous school(s) to the Registrar.
  4. Certified copies of all diplomas, certificates, transcripts, grade reports, test scores, and any other evidence of academic accomplishments attesting to the eligibility and qualification for college entrance.

    NOTE:  All documents must be certified by a notary public, magistrate, school principal, or equivalent legal authority.  Photocopies without the appropriate original signature or seal are not accepted as evidence of academic achievements.
  5. A completed residence application form (if the applicant desires to live in a school dormitory residence).
  6. The financial guarantee form completed by the sponsor or parent responsible for payment of school expenses.  Documented proof of ability to provide financial support must be supplied with the application.
  7. A completed health certificate or physical examination form issued by a registered physician or a reputable hospital.
  8. The following deposits (as applicable):

Character references from two reputable persons who have known the applicant personally in an academic or religious setting, but who are not in any way related.  These recommendations, on the prescribed forms, should be sent directly to the College Registrar.

Upon receipt of all forms and documents, the Admissions Council takes official action and the applicant is notified of its decision.  An official letter of acceptance will be sent to all accepted students.

The student, upon acceptance, should notify the College of the expected date of arrival on campus so that the necessary arrangements can be made to receive him or her.  Foreign students should indicate the flight details and time of arrival.

All correspondence or inquiries are to be addressed to:

The Registrar
Hong Kong Adventist College
1111 Clear Water Bay Road
Sai Kung, New Territories
Hong Kong, SAR

APPLICATION DEADLINES

The College accepts applications throughout the year.  However, a student is not allowed to register for courses later than one week after the beginning of each quarter.  Late admission may be considered on an individual, merit basis.

Although the processing of an application seldom takes more than two weeks (once all supporting application materials are received), a prospective student should allow at least six weeks for the application process.  A foreign student should plan on an additional four to six months in order to obtain visas from the nearest Chinese Embassy or appropriate office  in his or her own country. (Refer to page 37 for deadlines schedule information).