Rush University

What is the accreditation of Rush University?

Rush University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of a particular professional program.

Programmatic accreditation matters especially in health care, where graduation from an appropriately accredited program may be part of the path to licensure or certification. For example, medical education is evaluated by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and nursing and other clinical disciplines have their own accrediting bodies. Applicants should check the current accreditation status of their specific program, along with the rules of the state where they hope to practice. Institutional accreditation also bears on eligibility for federal student aid, but it does not by itself guarantee that credits will transfer or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.

What are the admission requirements at Rush University?

Admission to Rush University is program-specific rather than a single freshman admissions process. An applicant generally selects a degree program, submits its required application and transcripts, and meets that program's academic and, where applicable, clinical prerequisites. Rush does not have an open-admission policy.

Requirements can differ sharply between an undergraduate health-sciences pathway, an entry-to-practice clinical program and an advanced degree. A program may request prerequisite courses, recommendations, a statement of purpose, an interview, relevant experience or proof of English proficiency. Applicants should follow the requirements for their intended entry term rather than assume that an SAT or ACT policy, GPA threshold or deadline applies university-wide. Clinical programs may also impose health, background-check or other placement requirements after admission.

What are the application fees and waivers at Rush University?

A reported Rush University application-fee figure is $40, but applicants should check the fee displayed for their specific program and application route before submitting. Health-professions programs may use different application systems, and an application charge should not be confused with a later enrollment deposit.

Applicants who need a fee waiver should review their program's admissions instructions before paying. Waiver eligibility, documentation and the point at which a request must be made can depend on the application system. A waiver for one program or application service should not be assumed to cover another.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Rush University?

Rush University is not a conventional campus-based ROTC destination, and applicants should not assume that Army, Air Force or Navy ROTC training is offered at Rush. The university's published academic emphasis is on health-professions education, not undergraduate military-officer training.

A student interested in military service should ask the relevant ROTC host institution and Rush admissions whether cross-enrollment is possible with their degree schedule before making an enrollment decision. ROTC participation and scholarships have separate eligibility rules and potential service obligations. Military education benefits used to pay for a Rush program are a different matter from joining ROTC.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Rush University?

Rush University enrolls transfer students, including students entering with prior college study. Transfer eligibility and the number of credits that can apply toward a degree depend on the receiving program. Fall entry is an option, but applicants should use their program's admissions calendar for available start terms.

Prospective transfers should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended and to document completed prerequisites. Admission to a program does not mean that every previous course will fulfill a Rush requirement: a course may transfer as credit yet not replace a required science or clinical course. Before committing, ask the program for a written review of prerequisite equivalencies and an estimate of the credits still needed. Applicants should also check whether required courses must be completed at Rush or within a specified time before entry.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Rush University?

International experience at Rush University is more likely to take the form of an approved short-term health, research or service activity than a conventional semester abroad in a broad undergraduate curriculum. A service project in Belize has been associated with student activities, but applicants should not assume that any particular trip runs every year or carries academic credit.

For a clinical or service placement overseas, the important questions are who organizes it, what students are permitted to do, whether Rush awards credit, and what supervision, travel and safety requirements apply. Students should obtain program approval before making travel plans. Financial aid treatment can differ between a Rush-approved academic activity, an optional service trip and an independent third-party program.