New Freshmen

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) test to be considered for admission. Freshman applicants applying for admission to Youngstown State University must submit a high school transcript or GED transcript.  Submission of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores is optional.  Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.

Applicants must have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher, a core unweighted grade point average* of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher and have an ACT composite score of 17 or higher, or a SAT composite score of 920 or higher (evidence-base writing and reading and math) to be admitted unconditionally. (*Core gpa is calculated based on grades earned in the following courses - English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language, if applicable, from 9th through 12th grade).

Please note: When calculating the core gpa, advanced computer science is recognized as a unit toward meeting a mathematics or science requirement. Computer coding is recognized as a unit toward meeting a foreign lanauge requirement.

Test-Optional Admissions Policy – In the absence of a test score or score below 17 ACT composite/920 SAT composite, the Admissions Office will place more emphasis on academic performance in core curriculum in lieu of test scores.  Core classes include English, math, science, social science and foreign language, if available.  Students who are admitted through the test optional policy may be required to take placement tests prior to attending orientation for course placement. Please note: some majors offered at Youngstown State University require test scores to be admitted into the program.

Home-schooled applicants must meet the following criteria:

• An official transcript showing documentation of coursework completed of grades 9-12 and indicating date of completion of studies or graduation must be sent to Admissions.
• Submission of results from the ACT or SAT, is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
• A copy of academic assessment (i.e. Iowa Basic Skills Test, California Achievement Test, etc.) reports submitted to the appropriate superintendent of school pursuant to Section 3301-34-04 of the Ohio Administrative Code must be received by Admissions.
• A copy of the Superintendent's Exemption Notice showing the student is excused to receive home schooling.
• Home-schooled students from states other than Ohio must submit the appropriate documentation required for allowing home-schooling in their state, along with above criteria #1, and #2.

High School Transcripts:

Applicants must arrange to have their high schools send to the Office of Admissions a record of all work completed. Partial transcripts will be given consideration for early decisions. If the applicant's record clearly indicates satisfactory completion, notification of conditional acceptance will be made before high school graduation. Final high school transcripts showing a graduation date must be received prior to the first day of the semester in which the student is enrolled.

International Documents:

If you have attended a high school outside of the United States, Youngstown State University now requires an international transcript evaluation as part of your admission process.

To ensure your evaluation meets university standards, please carefully review the following requirements:

• Your evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation with copies of the original transcripts attached.
• The evaluation must come from an agency approved by NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).
• Validential Evaluations and Foreign Consultants, Inc. are not accepted as they do not meet the standards required by the university.

Youngstown State prospects can order reports for a reduced rate by using the following approved agencies:

• World Education Services (WES)*
• International Education Evaluations (IEE)
• The Evaluation Company (TEC)

*If you use WES, please request an ICAP evaluation, which meets our requirements.

If you are requesting a high school transcript evaluation, please use IEE or TEC.

For complete Conditional Admission requirements, please review the New Freshman Applicants page in the Course Catalog.