New to College

Freshmen

As a first-time college student, we hope to provide you with a quality education that will prepare you for a wonderful career while helping to enhance your personal growth through your experiences at Boise State.

Admission Standards

Review standards for new students in academic programs, Idaho College Admission Core classes, and the Admission Index.

Required Materials

Find out what items must be submitted to the Admissions Office.

Apply to Boise State

Choose from our convenient online or printable application. You can also have an application guide mailed to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the list of questions asked by many students and parents about the admission process at Boise State.

Admission Standards for Academic Programs

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

High school graduate under the age of 21 (prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)
High school graduate, 21 or over (prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)
Completed a home school program or graduated from an unaccredited high school
Student with a GED or High School Equivalency

High school graduate under the age of 21
(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 (below) 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

Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the 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 during 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.]

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 1-800-824-7017 or (208) 426-1156 and our staff will gladly assist you.

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High school graduate, 21 or over
(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 (below). 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]

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.]

If you are still unsure about your status, please call the Admissions Office at 1-800-824-7017 or (208) 426-1156 and our staff will gladly assist you.

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Home school or unaccredited high school graduate

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 Reading 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.

Student with a GED or High School Equivalency

If you earned the GED prior to 1989 with a Standard Score Average of at least 50 on the GED, you will be considered for general admission.

If you earned the GED between 1989 and 2001 with a Standard Score Average of at least 50 and you are 21 years of age or older, you will be considered for provisional admission.

If you earned the GED in 2002 or later with a Standard Score Average of at least 500 and you are 21 years of age or older, you will be considered for provisional admission.

If you will not be 21 years of age prior to the first day of classes at Boise State and earned the GED between 1989 and 2001 with a Standard Score Average of at least 50 on the GED and a composite score of at least 17 on the ACT (or SAT combined Math and Critical Reading score of 830), you will be considered for provisional admission.

If you will not be 21 years of age prior to the first day of classes at Boise State and earned the GED in 2002 or later with a Standard Score Average of at least 500 on the GED and a composite score of at least 17 on the ACT (or SAT combined Math and Critical Reading score of 830), you will be considered for provisional admission.

If you are still unsure about your status, please call the Admissions Office at 1-800-824-7017 or (208) 426-1156, and our staff will gladly assist you.

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How to apply for undergraduate admission

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

Undergraduate Application for Admission with your one-time, nonrefundable $40 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.

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.
Do you want to learn more?
Test scores are not required of applicants who are 21 years of age or older prior to the first day of classes.

If you have questions about this process, call the Admissions Office at (208) 426-1156, or toll-free nationwide, 1-800-824-7017.

Ready to apply?

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New to College

Freshmen

High school graduate under the age of 21(prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)

Boise State Admission Index

Idaho College Admission Core Classes

High school graduate, 21 or over(prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)

Idaho College Admission Core Classes

Accepting Fall 2008 semester undergraduate degree-seeking applications through June 30, 2008.

High school graduate under the age of 21
(prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)

High school graduate, 21 or over
(prior to the first day of the semester you want to attend Boise State)