Admission Standards

(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.

(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.

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.

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 have attended another college or university, your admission to Boise State will be based on the following:

• With 14 or more transferable semester credits, you will be granted regular admission if your transfer GPA is at least 2.0 and you were in good academic standing at the last institution you attended.
• 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 (required for students who are not 21 years old prior to the first day of classes).
• If you have less than a 2.0 transfer GPA, you will be admitted with probationary status.
• If you were dismissed from a college or university within the last semester, you are not eligible to attend Boise State until sitting out a fall or spring semester.

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.

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

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• 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. Please be aware that students taking seven or fewer credits per semester pay part-time fees; those taking eight or more credits pay full Boise State fees and, if deemed not a resident of Idaho, nonresident tuition.

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.

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.