Undergraduate Admission

Director, Admissions Office: Jennifer A. Putnam
Location: Taggart Student Center 102
Phone: (435) 797-1079, (435) 797-1129, or (800) 488-8108
FAX: (435) 797-3708
E-mail: admit@usu.edu
WWW: http://www.usu.edu/admissions

The Utah State University undergraduate admissions policy is designed to admit students who have the best chance to successfully complete a university program of study. USU grants admission, without regard to race, creed, sex, or national origin, to those students who satisfy the admissions requirements.

The Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships is available online at http://www.usu.edu/admissions. For a paper application, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application materials may be sent to:

Admissions Office
Utah State University
0160 Old Main Hill
Logan UT 84322-0160

New Freshman Admission

New freshman applicants are expected to have graduated from an accredited high school with a minimum 2.5 GPA, a minimum ACT score of 18 (SAT score of at least 860), and a minimum 90 Admissions Index score. (See Admissions Index  table.) In order to be admitted in good standing, all three requirements must be met. More information about the Admissions Index is available at: http://www.usu.edu/admissions

Applicants whose scores do not meet the standard will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants who have not graduated from high school may apply with a GED, instead of a high school transcript. A minimum GED score of 550 (equivalent to 55) is required. Applicants with a minimum Admissions Index score of 85 may be admitted into provisional admission warning at one of Utah State’s Regional Campuses or Distance Education centers located throughout the state.

New Freshman Application Materials

1. Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships
2. Nonrefundable $40 application fee ($55 if late)
3. High school transcript or GED score
4. ACT or SAT score (waived for applicants 25 and older)
5. Official college transcript of concurrent enrollment

New Freshman Application Deadlines

Admissions applications are accepted after posted deadlines with an additional $15 late fee. Scholarship consideration is given only to fall semester applicants.

Fall Semester—April 1 (Scholarship Deadlines—priority December 1; final February 1)
Spring Semester—November 1
Summer Semester—April 1

High School Curriculum

Students who have graduated from high school and who desire to attend Utah State University must have completed a preparatory course of study, including the following:

English

Four years (units), emphasizing composition/literature.

Mathematics

Three years (units), selected from elementary algebra, geometry, intermediate algebra, trigonometry, college or advanced algebra, or calculus. It is strongly recommended that students take mathematics up to at least trigonometry.

Biological/Physical Science

Three years (units), which meet either state or local graduation requirements. At least one unit must provide a laboratory experience.

American History

One year (unit).

Additional Courses

Four years (units), chosen from at least two of the following: history, English, mathematics beyond intermediate algebra, laboratory science, technology and engineering education, foreign language, social science, and fine arts.

Foreign Language

Two years (units) recommended, which must be of the same foreign language.

Students who meet the minimum index requirements, but have less than the required number of units, will be admitted on the condition that the deficiency is satisfied at the University within the first 30 semester credits of study.

When the admission decision is made, an official letter of notification will be sent to the student. Admission status may also be checked online.

Early Admission

A high school student who has completed his or her junior year and maintained a superior scholastic record may be granted special consideration for admission. An applicant must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Submit an official application, ACT/SAT scores, a high school transcript, and a $40 application fee.
2. Submit letters of approval and recommendation from:
   1. Superintendent or principal
   2. Parent or guardian
3. Admission is not automatic, and will be determined by the admissions committee.
4. Applications for admission and credentials from the high school must be received by the University according to the deadline dates listed on this page under New Freshman Application Deadlines.

Home-schooled Students

Home-schooled students applying for admission to Utah State University who submit a transcript from an accredited home-school organization will be evaluated the same as any traditional high school students. They must satisfy the University’s admission requirements of a minimum 2.5 grade point average, a minimum ACT score of 18 (or an equivalent SAT score of at least 860), and a minimum Admissions Index score of 90. (See Admissions Index  table)

To be admitted to Utah State University, home-schooled students without transcripts must provide a list of classes they have completed, and must submit a minimum ACT score of 21 (SAT score of at least 980); or a minimum ACT score of 18 (SAT score of at least 860) and a minimum score of 550 (equivalent to 55) on the GED.

In consultation with the department of the student’s intended major, the Director of Admissions will review all materials and make a final decision.

Utah Basic Skills Competency Test (UBSCT)

Students with the Basic High School Diploma who meet the University’s admission standards of a 2.5 minimum GPA, ACT score of at least 18 (SAT score of at least 860), and an Admissions Index score of at least 90 will be admitted in good standing. If they satisfy the University’s admission standards, students having an Alternative Completion Diploma may be offered admission on a case-by-case basis. Students with a Certificate of Completion will be required to take the GED and pass with a battery score of at least 550 (equivalent to 55), and achieve a minimum ACT score of 18 (SAT score of at least 860). Effective Fall 2006, all seniors graduating from Utah high schools are required to pass the UBSCT.

Credit by Examination

New freshmen may receive credits for examination scores received prior to enrollment at USU. Credits may be earned with satisfactory scores on Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) examinations. To ensure that credits earned by examination will be posted to their transcripts, students are responsible to submit all of their test scores to the Admissions Office. For further information about these examinations, as well as minimum satisfactory scores for individual tests, see Credit by Examination and Advanced Coursework .

Admission Deferment

Newly accepted freshman, transfer, or readmitted students who wish to defer their start date to a later semester may do so (without reapplying) by submitting an Admission Deferment Application to the Admissions Office. International students and graduate students may not use this form. The application is due no later than the first day of classes for the semester the student has been admitted to. Deferments are generally granted for up to one year. However, they may be granted for up to two years for those participating in official assignments such as military, church, or humanitarian service. If requesting a deferment for more than one year, the student must submit an official letter of assignment. All deferment applications must be approved by the admissions committee. The Admissions Deferment Application is available online at: http://www.usu.edu/studemp/leaveofabsence/. Questions should be directed to the Admissions Office at (435) 797-1079.

Undeclared Program

Newly admitted students with less than 60 semester credits, who meet the University admission standards, but who have not declared a major or who do not qualify for enrollment into one of the academic colleges, are automatically placed in the Undeclared Program. No degrees are offered through the Undeclared Program. Undeclared students who have not declared a major by the time they complete 45 semester credits will be required to sign an institutional agreement with the Office of University Advising.

Provisional Admission Warning

Under special circumstances, students who do not qualify for enrollment into one of the academic colleges may be considered for provisional admission. New students who graduated from high school with an admissions index score below 90 may be considered provisionally. Provisional admission warning offers students a chance to prove themselves academically at the University.

Students who are admitted provisionally will have an academic standing of provisional admission warning, which is equivalent to academic warning . After grades are posted at the end of the first semester, a student whose USU cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher will be considered to be in good standing. A student whose USU cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 will be placed on academic probation.

Students admitted provisionally are advised through the Office of University Advising, located in Taggart Student Center Room 304. Provisionally admitted students must sign an institutional agreement with the Office of University Advising, indicating that they are fully aware of the provisions associated with their admission.

Admissions Index

View the Admissions Index .

Declaring a Major

When a student has demonstrated an ability to maintain a GPA appropriate for the intended major, the student may submit a Change of Matriculation form through the Registrar’s Office. It is the student’s responsibility, in consultation with an advisor, to complete all necessary paperwork.

Nontraditional Admission

An applicant who is not a high school graduate may be considered for admission by presenting satisfactory evidence of ability to do university work. This evidence may be demonstrated by scores on the General Education Development Test (GED). Admission will not be offered unless a student has a high school diploma or a GED Test score of 550 (equivalent to 55) or higher and passes all subtests. (Students in this category include those whose high school class has graduated and those over the age of 18.) Students must also take the ACT/SAT if not previously taken. If the student has been out of high school for seven years or more, the ACT/SAT is waived.

Transfer Student Admission

Transfer students with at least 24 semester credits earned at another regionally accredited institution must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major. Minimum GPA requirements may be found in the major requirement sheets at: http://www.usu.edu/majorsheets/

Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an “undeclared” major, if they have at least a 2.2 GPA and fewer than 60 transfer credits. Applicants with at least a 2.0 GPA may be admitted into provisional admission warning at one of Utah State’s Regional Campuses or Distance Education centers located throughout the state. Transfer students with less than 24 semester transfer credits will be evaluated based on their high school GPA and ACT or SAT score.

Transfer Student Application Materials

1. Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships
2. Nonrefundable $40 Application Fee ($55 if late)
3. Official college transcript(s) from all institutions previously attended

(Note: If less than 24 transferable college credits have been earned, then high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores are also required.)

Transcripts submitted for admission become the property of the University and are not returned.

Transfer Student Application Deadlines

Admissions applications are accepted after posted deadlines with an additional $15 late fee. Scholarship consideration is given only to fall semester applicants.

Fall Semester—July 1 (Scholarship Deadlines—priority February 1; final April 1)
Spring Semester—November 1
Summer Semester—April 1

Transfer Student Admission Deferment

Transfer students who wish to defer their start date to a later semester may do so (without reapplying) by submitting an Admission Deferment Application to the Admissions Office. For further information, see Admission Deferment information.

Credit Transfer Policy

At its discretion, the University may accept transfer credit from accredited and nonaccredited institutions and miscellaneous sources. These may include:

(1) accredited institutions, (2) foreign universities, (3) U.S. military credit for approved job and educational experiences, (4) credit by examination, and (5) miscellaneous sources, such as internships and nontraditional learning experiences. Further details about  these sources are shown below.

The following evaluation criteria for acceptance will be used:

(1) accreditation status of the institution, (2) recognized national standards published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and by the American Council on Education, (3) guidelines given by the State Board of Regents (including guidelines for CLEP and AP credit), and (4) recommendations given by various University units having appropriate academic competence, including the Faculty Senate, as well as college and departmental curriculum committees.

Acceptance of credit should not be confused with its application. Transfer credit may or may not apply to the graduation requirements of Utah State University, regardless of the number of credits transferred.

Credit other than that intended wholly to meet the General Education requirements of the receiving institution will be applied on the basis of the appropriateness of credit to a particular institution’s specific degree program requirements as determined by the receiving institution. At Utah State University, coursework acceptability will be determined by the student’s major department.

Credit for quarter courses numbered 100 or above, or for semester courses numbered 1000 or above, earned in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is transferable within the System and will be carried on the student’s transcript by the receiving institution.

In order to transfer credit to Utah State University, official transcripts of credit must be submitted to the Admissions Office. Submitted transcripts become the property of Utah State University, and will not be returned. Transcripts from all institutions previously attended are required.

Associate Degrees

Students who transfer to USU and have an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree (or have completed the General Education requirements) from a regionally-accredited institution may be deemed as having satisfied the General Education portion of the University Studies requirements. A registrar’s certification, stating that the student has completed the General Education requirements of the transfer institution, may also be acceptable. However, Utah State University will require students to satisfy the Breadth American Institutions requirement,(BAI) if an equivalent course has not been completed. In addition, students must satisfy any deficiencies in Communications Literacy(CL1 and CL2) and Quantitative Literacy(QL). In order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, the Depth Education requirements  must still be completed.

When a student transfers without an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree and meets the General Education requirements of an institution not offering the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree by earning a 60 to 63 semester credit hour diploma, a registrar’s certification that the transferring student has completed baccalaureate-level General Education requirements at the sending institution will be accepted by the receiving USHE institution in lieu of the AA/AS degree. The registrar at the sending institution will forward to the receiving institution an up-to-date description of the General Education requirements.

Students who transfer to Utah State University with less than an Associate Degree (and have not completed General Education requirements) or with an Associate of Applied Science Degree will have their General Education courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis and may be required to take any additional courses necessary to satisfy the General Education requirements at Utah State University. However, if these students have taken equivalent General Education courses at the sending institution, these courses will be accepted toward satisfying General Education requirements at Utah State University.

Courses approved as fulfilling General Education requirements at a USHE institution will be acceptable to Utah State University as satisfying comparable General Education requirements. Acceptability of General Education coursework from other institutions will be determined by the student’s major department at Utah State University.

Articulation Agreements

Utah State University maintains annual course-by-course articulation agreements with the following institutions:

Boise State University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University (Hawaii)
Brigham Young University (Idaho)
College of Eastern Utah
College of Southern Idaho
Dixie State College of Utah
Idaho State University
LDS Business College
Northwest College
Salt Lake Community College
Snow College
Southern Utah University
University of Utah
Utah Valley University
Weber State University
Western Wyoming Community College
Westminster College

These course-by-course agreements show how courses taken at these institutions will be accepted and applied at Utah State University.

In addition to the course-by-course articulations, Utah State maintains general education articulation agreements with the same institutions as listed above. These agreements show how individual courses taken at these institutions will meet Utah State’s University Studies requirements.

These articulation agreements, as well as additional information about transferring to Utah State University, can be found at the Transfer website: http://www.usu.edu/transfer/

Guidelines for Transferable Credit

Transfer credit earned at institutions that are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations will be accepted if the work is parallel in nature to programs offered at Utah State University.

The six regional accrediting associations are: (1) Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (MSA); (2) Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); (3) North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission (NCA); (4) New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE); (5) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS); and (6) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-ACSCU).

Utah State University may award credit for academic work completed at institutions that are not regionally accredited if the courses:

1. articulate to University Studies or General Education requirements at USU,
2. correspond to recognized standards published by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and the American Council on Education (ACE), or
3. are approved by the department and college in which the subject matter is taught at Utah State University.

Utah State University does not accept transfer credit from nonregional-accredited institutions in those cases where USU lacks an academic unit to evaluate such transfer credit.

Subcollege-level courses which are developmental, remedial, or preparatory are not transferable.

Vocational-technical courses are generally not transferable. Exceptions may be made by individual departments if the coursework is pertinent to the student’s major.

Religion courses are generally not transferable. These courses will be evaluated based on the particular orientation of the course. In order to be considered, courses in religion must be listed on an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution.

Credit may be transferred from recognized international universities. Transcripts or documented evidence (translated into English) must be presented, indicating successful completion of coursework. Courses must be consistent in level, duration, and content with courses offered at American universities. For further information about the transferability of international credit, contact the Office of International Students and Scholars, Taggart Student Center 313, (435) 797-1124.

Subject to evaluation by Utah State University, to ensure credit is granted in accordance with USU policies, credit may be earned through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) examinations or by taking Advanced Placement (AP) examinations while a student is in high school. For further information about these examinations, see the Credit by Examination and Advanced Coursework  section of this catalog.

For further information about transfer credit evaluation and articulation, visit the Transfer website at: http://www.usu.edu/transfer/

Military Credit

The University may grant elective credit to students currently enrolled at the University who have served in the armed forces. The number of elective credits granted depends upon the length of military service.

Other military credit may be accepted for transfer, if such credit meets University requirements. The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services is used by articulation personnel in the Registrar’s Office for determining transfer of credit.

Qualified applicants must submit the form DD214, form DD295, or an AARTS/SMART transcript to the Admissions Office. Credits are then evaluated for acceptance only when a Military Credit Evaluation form is submitted to articulation personnel in the Registrar’s Office. The form and instructions can be found online at: http://www.usu.edu/registrar/forms

AARTS/SMART Transcripts

Students who are eligible for an AARTS or SMART transcript should provide the Admissions Office with one of these, instead of the DD214 or DD295 form. For more information and to order transcripts online, visit the following websites:

Army (AARTS): https://aartstranscript.army.mil/
Navy (SMART): https://smart.navy.mil/smart/welcome.do

Readmission

Students who were in attendance the previous spring semester are not required to reapply for fall semester unless the student withdrew from the University or if academic suspension or graduation occurred at the conclusion of the spring semester. Former students of the University returning after an absence of one year or longer are required to file an application for readmission, unless a Leave of Absence form was filed.

Returning USU Student Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major. Minimum GPA requirements may be found in the major requirement sheets at: http://www.usu.edu/majorsheets/

Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an “undeclared” major, if they have at least a 2.2 GPA and fewer than 60 transfer credits. Applicants with at least a 2.0 GPA may be admitted into provisional admission warning at one of Utah State’s Regional Campuses or Distance Education centers located throughout the state.

Returning USU Student Application Materials

1. Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships
2. Nonrefundable $20 Application Fee ($35 if late)
3. College transcript(s) (from colleges attended since USU)

Returning USU Student Application Deadlines

Fall Semester—July 1
Spring Semester—November 1
Summer Semester—April 1

Academic Action Readmission Deadlines

Students who desire to be readmitted following academic action (probation, suspension, or dismissal), must apply by April 1 in order to be considered for admission to summer semester, by June 1 in order to be considered for admission to fall semester, or by October 1 in order to be considered for admission to spring semester.

Readmitted Student Admission Deferment

Readmitted students who wish to defer their start date to a later semester may do so (without reapplying) by submitting an Admission Deferment Application to the Admissions Office. For further information, see Admission Deferment information.

Residency Policy and Appeal

Persons who have been classified as nonresident students and who feel they now satisfy the requirements for Utah Resident Status for Tuition Purposes must file an application with the Residency Office, Taggart Student Center 102. Applications are processed each semester. The deadline is no later than the end of the second week of the semester. Applications received after this deadline will be considered for the next semester. The application will not be processed until the student is admitted to the University. There is no application fee.

If an application is denied by the Residency Office, the student may appeal to the Residency Appeals Committee no later than the 20th calendar day of the semester. Appeals cannot be considered after this deadline.

To qualify for Utah resident status for tuition purposes, a person is required to:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.
2. Document living in Utah for 12 continuous months, as a student or working.
3. Not be claimed as a dependent on tax returns by anyone who is not a resident of Utah.
4. Obtain a Utah vehicle registration, voter registration, and driver’s license at least three months prior to submitting an application for residency.

Each person who applies for Utah resident status for tuition purposes is considered on the totality of evidence. Based upon review of each application, additional documentation may be required, including Utah voter registration, evidence of employment in Utah, proof of payment of Utah income taxes for the previous year, Utah vehicle registration, etc.

Persons having questions about a specific situation (not covered by the information above) should contact the Admissions Office.

Exceptions

Provisions in the law enable a person to be granted Utah residency for tuition purposes as an exception to the regulations listed above. A few exceptions are listed below, but students should contact the Admissions Office for more information regarding requirements and restrictions for each exception.

1. Dependent children and spouses of those who obtain full-time employment and move to Utah.
2. Certain individuals recruited or transferred to Utah with full-time employment.
3. Dependent persons having a parent who has been a legal resident of Utah for at least one year.
4. Persons who marry a Utah resident. (The spouse must have been a Utah resident before the marriage.)
5. Active-duty military personnel with current duty station in Utah can pay resident tuition while they are stationed in Utah. Also, there are some exceptions for certain military members who are deployed while attending school.
6. Native Americans who are registered on the tribal rolls of tribes whose lands are contiguous to Utah. (Documentation is required.)

Other requirements may apply. For further residency information, contact the USU Admissions Office, Taggart Student Center 102, (435) 797-1079, or visit: http://www.usu.edu/admissions/residency

The residency application is available for download at: http://www.usu.edu/admissions/residency

Note: Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and Alumni Legacy Waiver students are not eligible to establish residency for tuition purposes. Time in state and/or credits earned while on WUE or Alumni Legacy Waiver will not count toward residency.

Other Admissions Information

Veterans Educational Benefits

Veterans or qualified dependents of disabled or deceased veterans who may be eligible for Veterans Educational Benefits should contact the Office of Veterans Services, or telephone (435) 797-1102 for information concerning their educational benefits. Veterans or eligible dependents must make application for admission and be matriculated in a degree program.

Western Undergraduate Exchange

Utah State University participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, certain students who are not residents of the State of Utah may enroll at Utah State University by paying resident tuition plus 50 percent of that amount (plus other fees that are paid by all students). For further information, see WUE text in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Information  section.

International Student Admission

For information about admission procedures for international students, see International Student Admission and Programs .