How to Apply Checklist

Here's how you can pay your application fee online

To be considered for admission, you must provide by the deadline the following materials:

If I am NEW to college

  • Undergraduate Application for Admission with your one-time, nonrefundable application fee.
  • Official high school transcript showing all courses completed and date of graduation (or GED test scores).
    • If you have just begun your senior year in high school, request that your school send your transcript for the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. This record should include your latest cumulative grade point average.
    • After you graduate, request that a final transcript be sent to us. We have a form you may use to request your transcript.
    • If you have attended a high school or university located outside the United States, we have additional information to share with you.

MAIL TRANSCRIPTS TO:

  • Boise State Admissions
  • 1910 University Drive
  • Boise ID 83725

 

  • Official ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) results, posted on your high school transcript or received directly from the testing agency. (Boise State does not require the ACT or SAT Writing Exam).
    • If you did not include Boise State University as a recipient of these test results, you will need to contact the testing agency (Request ACT results or Request SAT results). Boise State's school codes are 0914 for the ACT and 4018 for the SAT I.
    • If you haven't taken one of these exams, check for ACT test dates and SAT test dates. Boise State offers a special "Residual" ACT. The scores can be used only for Boise State admission and cannot be sent to other colleges. Learn more about the Residual ACT Tests at Boise State.
    • Test scores are not required of applicants who are 21 years of age or older prior to the first day of classes.

If I have EVER earned a college credit

MAIL TRANSCRIPTS TO:

  • Boise State Admissions
  • 1910 University Drive
  • Boise ID 83725

 

  • If you will transfer to Boise State with fewer than 14 college-level semester credits, also submit the following:
    • Official high school transcript showing date of graduation, or GED test scores. Form to request transcript from other schools
    • Official ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) results, posted on your high school transcript or received directly from the testing agency. Boise State does not require the ACT or SAT Writing Exam. If you did not include Boise State University as a recipient of these test results, you will need to contact the testing agency (Request ACT results or Request SAT results). Test scores are not required of applicants who are 21 or older prior to the first day of classes.
  • If you are currently in high school you will also need to submit the following (no matter how many college credits you have earned):
    • Official high school transcript. Form to request transcript from other schools
    • Official ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) results, posted on your high school transcript or received directly from the testing agency. Boise State does not require the ACT or SAT Writing Exam. If you did not include Boise State University as a recipient of these test results, you will need to contact the testing agency (Request ACT results or Request SAT results).

If I have more than 14 college-level semester credits

MAIL TRANSCRIPTS TO:

  • Boise State Admissions
  • 1910 University Drive
  • Boise ID 83725

If you are currently in high school you will also need to submit the following (no matter how many college credits you have earned):

  • Official high school transcript. Form to request transcript from other schools
  • Official ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) results, posted on your high school transcript or received directly from the testing agency. Boise State does not require the ACT or SAT Writing Exam. If you did not include Boise State University as a recipient of these test results, you will need to contact the testing agency (Request ACT results or Request SAT results).

If I am seeking a second degree

  • Undergraduate Application for Admission. If you did not attend Boise State before, the application should be submitted with your one-time, nonrefundable application fee.
  • Official transcript from the college or university that granted your degree. Transcripts from additional colleges or universities where you have earned credit are not required to apply for admission, but may be required by your department for academic advising and for proof of courses taken.

 

MAIL TRANSCRIPTS TO:
  • Boise State Admissions
  • 1910 University Drive
  • Boise ID 83725

If I am interested in non-degree seeking

  • Submit the Boise State Application for Nondegree-Seeking Enrollment along with a one-time, nonrefundable application fee.
  • Students who graduated from a home school program or a high school that is not regionally accredited will also need to submit COMPASS scores.

If I am CURRENTLY a non-degree seeking student and want to become degree-seeking

MAIL TRANSCRIPTS TO:

  • Boise State Admissions
  • 1910 University Drive
  • Boise ID 83725

 

  • If you will transfer to Boise State with fewer than 14 college-level semester credits, also submit the following:
    • Official high school transcript showing date of graduation, or GED test scores. Form to request transcript from other schools
    • Official ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) results, posted on your high school transcript or received directly from the testing agency. Boise State does not require the ACT or SAT Writing Exam. If you did not include Boise State University as a recipient of these test results, you will need to contact the testing agency (Request ACT results or Request SAT results). Test scores are not required of applicants who are 21 or older prior to the first day of classes.

If I am interested in Jump Start/Concurrent Enrollment

Admission Standards

To learn about the standards that apply to you, click on the item below which describes your situation:

I am a high school graduate and I am not yet 21 years old

(prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)

High school graduates under the age of 21 will be considered for admission according to Boise State's Admission Index using their combined high school grade point average (GPA) and ACT composite or SAT (Math and Critical Reading) scores.

For instance, if your GPA is 3.0 and your highest ACT composite score is 22, you are an excellent candidate for admission.

Boise State Admission Index

This table does not include the complete Admission Index. If your GPA or test score is not shown, contact the Boise State Admissions Office for specific information.

Once you are determined admissible according to the index, your high school course work will be examined. If you completed all courses in the Idaho College Admission Core (see below), you will be considered for general admission.

If you meet the requirements of the Boise State Admission Index but have not completed the Idaho College Admission Core Classes, you will be considered for provisional admission.

Idaho College Admission Core Classes

  • English - 8 semesters
    Composition, Literature
  • Mathematics - 6 semesters
    Applied Math I, Applied Math II, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Analytic Geometry, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry. At least 4 semesters must be taken in grades 10 through 12.
  • Natural Science - 6 semesters
    Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Geology, Physiology, Physical Science, Physics, Zoology. Selected applied science courses may count for up to 2 semesters. At least 2 semesters must be in courses which include a laboratory science experience.
  • Social Science - 5 semesters
    American Government, Geography, U.S. History, World History, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology
  • Humanities/Foreign Language - 2 semesters
    Literature, History, Philosophy, Foreign Language, and related study of 2 or more of the traditional humanities disciplines.
  • Other College Prep - 3 semesters
    Speech, Studio/Performing Arts (Art, Dance, Drama, Music), additional Foreign Language. Up to 2 semesters of approved vocational courses may apply; consult your high school counselor.

I am a high school graduate and I am over 21 years old

(prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)

If you graduated from high school prior to 1989 and never attended college, you will be considered for general admission.

If you graduated from high school in 1989 or later and earned at least a 2.0 cumulative high school grade point average (GPA), you will be considered for general admission. In addition, you must have completed all courses in the Idaho College Admission Core. If you did not complete all core classes, you will be considered for provisional admission.

Idaho College Admission Core Classes

  • English - 8 semesters
    Composition, Literature
  • Mathematics - 6 semesters
    Applied Math I, Applied Math II, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Analytic Geometry, Calculus, Statistics, Trigonometry. At least 4 semesters must be taken in grades 10 through 12.
  • Natural Science - 6 semesters
    Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Geology, Physiology, Physical Science, Physics, Zoology. Selected applied science courses may count for up to 2 semesters. At least 2 semesters must be in courses which include a laboratory science experience.
  • Social Science - 5 semesters
    American Government, Geography, U.S. History, World History, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology
  • Humanities/Foreign Language - 2 semesters
    Literature, History, Philosophy, Foreign Language, and related study of 2 or more of the traditional humanities disciplines.
  • Other College Prep - 3 semesters
    Speech, Studio/Performing Arts (Art, Dance, Drama, Music), additional Foreign Language. Up to 2 semesters of approved vocational courses may apply; consult your high school counselor.

I graduated from a home school program or unaccredited high school

If you graduated from an unaccredited high school or home school program and did not complete a GED, you will be considered for provisional admission with an ACT composite score of at least 17 or SAT combined math and critical reasoning score of at least 830 and the following minimum scores on the full COMPASS exam - 46 on Algebra, 68 on Writing and 85 on Reading. If you are over 21 years of age, you do not need to submit ACT/SAT scores.

If you are under 21 years of age and demonstrate exceptional scores on the ACT or SAT, the COMPASS exam requirement may be waived. To qualify for the COMPASS waiver you must have at least a 23 ACT composite or SAT combined math and critical reasoning score of at least 1050. In addition, you must place into college level English (with at least an 18 on the ACT English section or 450 on the SAT critical reasoning section) and college level math (with at least an 18 on the ACT math section or 430 on the SAT math section).

I have a GED or High School Equivalency

Admission with a GED will be based on the following:

If you earned the GED prior to 2002 you will be considered for provisional admission with a Standard Score Average of at least 55 and at least a 50 on each sub test. In addition, you must place into college level math and English (see below for placement test score requirements).

If you earned the GED after 2002 and will be over the age of 21 prior to the first day of classes, you will be considered for provisional admission with a Standard Score Average of at least 550 and at least a 500 on each sub test. In addition, you must place into college level math and English (see below for placement test score requirements).

If you will not be 21 years of age prior to the first day of classes, you will be considered for provisional admission with a Standard Score Average of at least 550 and at least a 500 on each sub test. In addition, you must have a composite score of at least 17 on the ACT (or SAT combined Math and Critical Reading score of 830) and place into college level math and English (see below for placement test score requirements).

College Level Placement
English Math
COMPASS  Writing  68 or higher COMPASS Algebra 40 or higher 
ACT English 18 or higher ACT math 18 or higher  
SAT critical reasoning 450 or higher SAT math 430 or higher

 

A student who is admitted with provisional status is required to complete 14 college credits in specified classes with a grade of C- or higher in each course. This requirement must be completed within three semesters.

If you are still unsure about your status, please call the Admissions Office at (800) 824-7017 or (208) 426-1156, and our staff will gladly assist you.

 

I have earned college credit

Beginning Fall 2011, transfer admission will be based on the following:

If you have earned 14 or more transferable semester credits, have a cumulative 2.25 GPA or higher, and were in good academic standing at the current/last institution you attended, you will be admitted with regular admission.

If you have earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science or are core certified from a regionally accredited academic institution, and have a 2.00 GPA or higher you will be admitted with regular status.

If you have more than 14 credits, but have not yet earned an Associate degree or core certification, and have a GPA range from 2.00 to 2.24, your application will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine potential for academic success.

If you have fewer than 14 transferable semester credits, the following items may be required and considered in the admission decision:

  • High school transcript (or GED results).
  • ACT or SAT results (not required for students who are 21 or older prior to the first day of classes).

If you have less than a 2.00 GPA, you will not be eligible for degree-seeking admission. You may choose to attend Boise State as a non-degree seeking student.

If you were dismissed from a college or university within the last semester, you are not eligible to attend Boise State until sitting out at least a fall or spring semester.

 

I have a bachelor’s degree

If you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university admission to Boise State will be based on your cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and good academic standing at the last institution attended.

I want to be a non-degree seeking student

To be eligible for nondegree-seeking admission, applicants must:

  • Have a high school diploma from a regionally accredited high school or GED. (Students who were home schooled or graduated from a non-regionally accredited high school will need to take the COMPASS exam to show college readiness.)
  • Not have been dismissed from a college or university within the last semester.

As a nondegree-seeking student during the fall or spring semester, you can register for any combination of courses totaling seven or fewer credits; or a maximum of two courses, even if these courses total more than seven credits.

Nondegree-seeking students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid no matter when classes are taken. In addition, transfer students will not receive an evaluation of their transfer credit until they apply and are admitted as degree-seeking students. Any credits earned as a nondegree-seeking student can be applied toward a degree at a later date.

I want to be a Jump Start/Concurrent Enrollment student

Admission to Boise State for students seeking dual enrollment will be based on the following:

I am a high school student

  • You must be at least 16 years of age or have successfully completed at least one half of the high school graduation requirements.
  • You have the required cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to take academic courses.
  • You have the signed approval of your high school principal or guidance counselor and your parent/guardian.

I am a home school student

  • You must be at least 16 years of age and score at least a 68 on Writing and 85 on Reading (Compass Exams) to take academic courses.
  • You can contact the Boise State Assessment Center at 208-426-2762 to learn about cost and available testing times.
  • You have the signed approval of your parent/guardian.