Preview Day FAQs

Students who are unable to take the SAT or ACT can submit an academic portfolio instead, consisting of two academic references and a 500-750 word writing sample. We suggest submitting a paper you submitted for a class!

Of course! We hope that it will be a “normal” semester with all our students back on campus. (We love to be together.) However, if that ends up not being possible because of public health issues, we will make sure every student is able to take classes online until the pandemic is over. It won’t be ideal, but we’ll make it work – and being on campus at JU is worth waiting for!

There is no deadline. You can pay your enrollment fee to commit to Johnson University whenever you are ready.

You can request your final transcripts from your high school after you graduate. Don’t worry if it will take a while to get them to us. We are being flexible.

If you have college transcripts or took dual enrollment classes in high school, we will also need to request a final copy of your high school transcripts to be sent to us. Again, we understand the unique circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and we are being flexible.

Right now, we are still planning to hold our Royal Welcome summer orientation in July. If anything changes, we will make sure to let you know. We will also put orientation resources on our website for you.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) is temporarily offering the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test. The test is identical to the one taken at the testing center in terms of content, format, and on-screen experience. You can access their website and make sure the test is offered in your country or location. Also, feel free to contact our Admissions Office for more information.

No! Parking passes are already included in your fees. If you plan on bringing a car, make sure to fill out the vehicle registration form HERE to get a parking pass.

Yes! All students are allowed to have cars.

There is just one entrance and exit at night, and campus security patrols and keeps track of who comes on campus at night. All dorm doors are locked, and there is an emergency alert system for students. Learn more here.

Our meal plan options are listed HERE. Students can choose a meal plan that includes 9, 13, or 17 meals per week. Traditional plans give students their meals at the beginning of each week, while block meal plans give students all of the meals they purchased at the beginning of the semester for use at any time. Tuition and fees advertised on our website are calculated using the 13-meal plan.

Worship is central to our campus life. We have chapel three times a week with corporate chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays and small group chapels on Wednesdays. We do not, however, have a Sunday service on campus because we want to encourage our students to get involved in a church in the community. We have a church fair during Genesis Weekend where students can connect with area churches. Some churches even offer shuttle service from campus to and from their services.

Johnson has a Serve Day each year in September. Instead of having class, students serve in communities around Knoxville. These relationships have also led to internships and connections for our students.

Johnson encourages students to get involved in a local church. This provides lots of opportunities to serve and grow in relationship with those living close to JU. 

We are also exploring a range of new community engagement initiatives that will include faculty, staff, and students. These programs continue to grow and provide volunteer, work-study, and internship opportunities.

Yes! The Registrar will do a transcript evaluation for each student who needs it. 

At the beginning of the school year, we host a local church fair where students have the opportunity to meet with many ministers and churches and see what they have to offer. Additionally,  some area churches will provide transportation to and from services on Sundays.

At the beginning of the fall semester, every department in the University that hires students will participate in a Work-Study Expo. During the Expo, students can interview directly with supervisors. The applicants should have their resume and class schedule available for the supervisors to review. Applicants are encouraged to dress in attire appropriate for a job interview setting. The department supervisors will determine which applicants will fill their open positions. Assessed financial need, skills, and prior work experience are considered for these placements.

Applicants who receive placements will complete required employment paperwork. Federal regulations require that two valid identification documents be presented at the time of hire. The documents must be originals; copies are not acceptable. The most common forms of ID are (but are not limited to) a passport or a driver’s license along with a Social Security Card or birth certificate. First-time work-study student employees must also complete a W-4 Form and an I-9 Form at this time.

• Sheets, blankets, pillow, mattress pad (twin extra long)
• All toiletry items (shampoo, toilet paper, etc.)
• Towels and washcloths
• Laundry detergent, laundry basket
• Small trashcan, paper towels, and cleaning products (for cleaning the bathroom)
• School supplies (paper, pencils, notebooks, etc.)
• Laptop (Computer labs are available on campus)
• Desk lamp, extension cord
• Storage organizers
• Clothes and hangers
• Umbrella

Optional:
• Mini dry-erase board
• Posters/wall décor
• 3M Command hooks and strips
• Food (for those late-night study groups)
• Small refrigerator, small microwave, coffee maker
• Dishes, eating utensils, dish soap, etc.
• Paper towels (for cleaning, eating, etc.)
• Sports equipment (ball gloves, bats, frisbee, etc.)
• Entertainment (television, gaming system, etc.)
• Musical instruments

If you have a roommate in mind, and you and the other person request one another on the housing application, you will be paired! Or, if you don’t have someone in mind, you can fill out a roommate questionnaire. It is kind of like Match.com. : ) You let JU know if you are messy or clean, an early bird or night owl, what kind of hobbies you are interested in, etc. Weldon or Cana, our Resident Directors, will do their best to give you the best match!

Yes! Dual enrollment courses have the highest probability of transferring. The Registrar does a transcript evaluation for each student who needs one. The AP test scores must have a score of a 4 or 5 on the test in order to be accepted. Credits are eligible for transfer if they were completed with a grade of “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and are from a class we can accept. This is determined by the Registrar’s office on an individual basis.

We have no preference! But we do like to see a 20 on the ACT or a 1020 on the SAT so you are eligible for the President’s Scholarship.

Yes! We partner with a program called BestSemester.com. 

The food services staff at Johnson does a great job at offering accommodations to those with allergies. In the Gally, the main dining hall at Johnson, there is always a designated section that provides you with great food that you can eat.

A student who is 23 years old or younger is required to live in the dorms, unless you are living with your parents/a family member. We really encourage dorm life at Johnson because of the community it creates. Plus, we have some of the best dorms in the country!  

Johnson is 20 minutes from downtown Knoxville and about 45 minutes from the Smoky Mountains. Our students enjoy both of these hangout spots throughout the school year. 

Johnson also has walking trails on campus and along the French Broad River, which has a beautiful view.

And there is always something going on on campus. SGA plans a lot of activities throughout the year including Coffee Houses, bonfires, worship nights, Orange and Black (a Halloween party), and more. Royal Wellness offers intramurals and fitness classes, and students love to spend time at the Athletic & Recreation Complex, which just opened this school year. In addition to cheering on the Royals at home games, our students love the Habaneros cafe and Starbucks in the ARC; the game room with ping pong and pool; the indoor turf room; and the pool!

Any computer will work just fine! However, if you don’t have a computer, Johnson has computer labs all around campus for you to use. 

No. There are printers in the dorms and there are computer labs equipped with MobilePrint. You can even print your paper in the building your class is in, and pick it up before class!

No, our dorms are separated by gender. Everyone is welcome in the lobby of either dorm, but only women are allowed in women’s dorm rooms and only men are allowed in men’s dorm rooms. We do have open dorms in one hall every Friday night, when students are allowed in each other’s rooms to watch movies, play games, and hang out. This event is chaperoned by RAs.

Our Academic Support Center provides a variety of services for students including tutoring, study groups, paper editing, and resources for students with disabilities. You can learn all about our academic support center HERE.