Admission: Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate Admission

• Admissions Application Deadlines

• USU Logan and Statewide Campus Admissions

  • New First-Year Student Admission
  • Transfer Student Admission
  • Returning Student Admission
  • Nontraditional Student Admission
  • International Undergraduate Student Admission and Programs 

• Open Enrollment Programs

  • New First-Year Students
  • Transfer and Returning Students
  • Major Change Requests

• Non-Degree Seeking Students

• Other Requirements

  • Enrollment Deposit
  • English Proficiency Requirement
  • Criminal History Disclosure Requirement
  • Academic Action Disclosure Requirement
• Related Information
  • Admissions Deferments
  • Exploratory Program
  • Declaring a Major
  • Residency Policy and Appeal
  • Veterans Educational Benefits
  • Providing Educational Services to Military Service Members
  • Readmission of Service Members
  • Western Undergraduate Exchange
  • Credit by Examination
  • International Student Admissions

________________________________________

Assistant Vice President & Executive Director, New Student Enrollment, Admissions Office: Katie North
Location: Taggart Student Center 102
Phone: (435) 797-1079 or (800) 488-8108
FAX: (435) 797-3708
Email: admit@usu.edu
Website: usu.edu/admissions

The application for undergraduate admission and scholarships is available online at usu.edu/admissions.

NOTICE: Fees, deadlines, requirements, and enrollment limits are subject to change without notice. All documents submitted become the property of Utah State University, and will not be released to students nor forwarded to other institutions or agencies.

Application documents may be sent to:

transcripts@usu.edu

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

Nondiscrimination

Utah State University is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age (40 and older), disability, or status as a protected veteran. For USU’s non-discrimination notice, see aaeo.usu.edu/non-discrimination.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Utah State University complies with the principles of non-discrimination and accommodation in academic programs, which are set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. All accommodations provided to on-campus students are available for online and regional campus students. For more information, visit usu.edu/drc.

Admissions and Scholarship Deadlines

For current admissions and scholarship deadlines visit usu.edu/admissions/apply

USU Logan and Statewide Campus Admissions

The Utah State University Logan campus and Utah State University Statewide Campuses are selective in admissions. Applicants are generally required to have graduated from a regionally accredited high school. Students are admitted on the basis of their projected ability to succeed at the institution.Projected ability to succeed is based primarily on past performance, such as grade point average and standardized test scores.

New First-Year Student Admission

New first-year student applicants are generally required to have graduated from a regionally accredited high school or passed the GED or other high school equivalency exam (see High School Equivalency Exam Scores). The GED is waived for home-schooled students.

High School Curriculum

It is recommended, but not required, that high school students (grades 9-12) complete:

• 4 Credits of English
• 4 Credits of Math (One class beyond math 3)
• 3.5 Credits of Social Science
• 3 Credits of a Lab-Based Science (One each: biology, chemistry, and physics)
• 2 Credits of a World Language (Same language, taken progressively during grades 9-12)

High School Graduates

Required Materials

• Application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• Official high school transcript or High School Equivalency Exam score report
• ACT or SAT scores (optional)
• Official college transcripts of any concurrent enrollment credit earned

Minimum Requirements

• 2.8 high school GPA
• Students with less than a 2.8 high school GPA may be considered for an Earned Admission path

Home School Students

Required Materials

• Application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• Home School Transcript or list of home school subject matter studied
• ACT or SAT scores (optional)
• Official college transcripts of any concurrent enrollment credit earned

Minimum Requirements

• 2.8 high school GPA
• Students with less than a 2.8 GPA may be considered for an Earned Admission Path.
• Home school applicants without a high school GPA will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee

Home school applicants are typically not eligible to enroll until after their peers have graduated from traditional high school. Home school students wishing to be considered earlier than this will be evaluated based on the Early Admission standard.

GED, HiSET, and TASC High School Equivalency Diploma Applicants

Required Materials

• Application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• GED, HiSET, or TASC score report
• ACT or SAT scores (optional)
• Official college transcripts of any concurrent enrollment credit earned

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum USU score on GED (see High School Equivalency Exam Scores)
• Students that do not meet the USU minimum GED score may be considered for an Earned Admission path

Early Admission

A high school student (or home school student) who has maintained an exceptional scholastic record may be granted special consideration for early admission. Students are typically required to have completed their junior year of high school. Admission is not automatic and will be determined by the admissions committee. Applicants must meet regularly published admissions and scholarship deadlines.

Required Materials

• Application 
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• An official high school transcript
• ACT or SAT scores (optional)
• Official college transcripts of any concurrent enrollment credit earned
• Recommendation letter from high school counselor or administration
• Recommendation letter from parents

Minimum Requirements

• Completed junior year of high school
• 3.8 high school GPA
• Demonstrate high levels of maturity and motivation
• Admissions Committee approval

Admissions Index and ACT/SAT Equivalencies

Click here to view a PDF of the most recent index.

High School Equivalency Exam Scores
 

Transfer Student Admission

• Application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• Official college transcript(s) from all institutions previously attended

If fewer than 24 transferable college credits have been earned, then high school transcripts are required and ACT or SAT scores may be submitted.

Minimum Requirements

Transfer students with at least 24 semester credits earned at another regionally accredited institution must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major.

Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an Exploratory Program if they have at least a 2.0 GPA and fewer than 60 transfer credits (see Exploratory Program).

Transfer students with fewer than 24 semester credits will also be evaluated on their high school GPA (and ACT or SAT score if provided).

Transfer policy information: See the Transfer Credit   section of this catalog.

Returning Student Admission

• They have been absent from university for more than three years.
• They graduated from USU with a bachelor’s degree.
• They were suspended from the university.

Students who have attended USU within the last three years are NOT required to reapply unless suspension or graduation with a bachelor’s degree occurred the last semester they attended.

Required Materials

• Application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• Official college transcript(s) from all institutions attended after last attendance at USU

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major. Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an Exploratory Program, if they have at least a 2.0 GPA and fewer than 60 credits (see Exploratory Program).

Academic Action (Students not in good academic standing)

Students who have been suspended once may apply for readmission after a two-semester layout at USU. Students who have been suspended two times may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of one full calendar year. Students who have been dismissed may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of five or more calendar years. Applications from students that left the university not in good standing are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if they qualify for the Bridge Program.

Nontraditional Student Admission

• Personal statement summarizing work, military, or other experiences that have prepared the applicate for college success.
• Letters of recommendation, from individuals that can speak to applicant’s ability to succeed in college.
• Transcripts, certificates, and licenses of training and accomplishments.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major. Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an Exploratory Program, if they have at least a 2.0 GPA and fewer than 60 credits (see Exploratory Program).

ACT/SAT Test scores are waived for applicants who have been out of high school for at least 7 years and optional for other students.

Open Enrollment Programs

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants may be required to submit high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

With the exception of home school students, applicants seeking Federal Financial Aid must have a high school diploma, or the recognized equivalency (i.e., GED, HiSET, or TASC).

See USU Logan and Statewide Campus Admissions requirements above for bachelor’s degree programs.

New First-Year Students​

Required Materials

• Application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• Official high school transcript, High School Equivalency Exam score report, or home-school transcript
• ACT or SAT scores (optional but may be required for scholarship opportunities)
• Official college transcripts of any concurrent enrollment coursework
• ACT/SAT Test scores are waived for applicants who have been out of high school for at least 7 years and optional for other students.

Home-school applicants are typically not eligible to enroll until after their peers have graduated from traditional high school. Home-school students wishing to be considered earlier than this will be evaluated based on the Early Admission policy and are not eligible to attend until after their peers have completed their junior year of high school. 

Transfer and Returning Students

Returning USU students who have attended USU within the last three years are NOT required to reapply unless suspension or graduation with a bachelor’s degree occurred the last semester they attended.

Required Materials

• Application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee (non-Utah residents only)
  • Utah Residents-No application fee
  • Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• Official college transcript(s) from all institutions previously attended
• Transfer students with fewer than 24 semester credits may need to submit high school transcripts and test scores. 
• With the exception of home school students, applicants seeking Federal Financial Aid must have a high school diploma, or the recognized equivalency (i. e., GED, HiSET, or TASC).

Academic Action (Students not in good standing)

Students who have been suspended once may apply for readmission after a two-semester layout at USU. Students who have been suspended two times may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of one full calendar year.  Students who have been dismissed may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of five or more calendar years. Applications from students that left the university not in good standing are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if they qualify for the Bridge Program. 

Major Change Requests

To change your major/program of study, please contact the advisor of the incoming program.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

The Non-Degree Seeking Application allows students in certain situations to take USU classes without being admitted to a degree program. This status is generally intended for students wishing to take classes for personal enrichment, to take prerequisites for a graduate program or to audit classes.

In some cases, students are allowed to enroll as non-degree students to improve their academic record in hopes that they might qualify for admissions into a degree program at a later time. Enrolling as a non-degree student does not automatically qualify a student to become degree-seeking. To be accepted into a degree program, a student must apply as a degree-seeking student and meet the regular admission standards.

The following restrictions apply to non-degree seeking applicants:

• Applicants with an obtained bachelor’s degree generally pay graduate level tuition, even for undergraduate level courses*.
• Use of federal financial aid is generally not allowed.
• If applicable, students should apply for degree-seeking status as soon as possible.
• Graduate students may only take 12 credits non-degree seeking and have them count toward a USU graduate degree program.
• Students in high school are required to have completed their junior year of high school prior to enrolling in classes as a non-degree seeking student (exceptions can be considered by appeal to the Admissions Committee).

*In some instances, a student who has graduated with a bachelor’s degree may need to return to school to take additional undergraduate courses for employment or other reasons. If the student does not intend to receive a second bachelor’s degree, they may apply for Undergraduate Degree Enrichment as a non-degree seeking undergraduate student. If approved, the student may pay undergraduate tuition and fees. Under this option, a maximum of 9 additional undergraduate semester credits may be taken within a five-year period. Students who wish to take additional undergraduate courses must apply for a second bachelor’s degree or be admitted as a non-degree seeking graduate student and pay graduate tuition.

Other Requirements

Enrollment Deposit

• $50 New Student Services fee
• $150 prepayment of tuition and fees for your first semester

Paying the enrollment deposit allows students to begin orientation and register for classes, accepts USU scholarships offered by the Admissions Office, and sign a contract for on-campus housing.

Students may postpone their deposit for financial hardship. If approved to postpone, students will pay the deposit as part of their first bill after financial aid has been disbursed. A $50 new student services fee will be added to the first semester bill.

• Note: International Students are not able to postpone their deposit except for student athletes with an aid agreement.

Exceptions to the enrollment deposit:

• Students attending the Eastern and Blanding campuses.
• Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Non-degree seeking and workforce development students.
• Students pursuing only a technical education (TE) certificate.
• Veterans using Chapter 31 or 33 VA benefits.*
• Students using Vocational Rehab to pay for schooling.*
• NCAA athletes who have signed an athletic aid agreement.*

*Veterans, vocational rehab recipients, and NCAA athletes with an athletics aid agreement should submit the deposit postponement form.

English Proficiency Requirement

If you have completed three years of high school or a minimum of 24 credits of post-secondary/university coursework excluding English as a second language courses in one of the countries listed below, you are considered to be proficient in the English language and will not be required to provide additional evidence of English proficiency.

• Australia
• Canada (except Quebec Province)
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States

The English language requirement may be satisfied through any of the methods listed below. Students must ask the testing agency to send official exam scores to Utah State University.

• TOEFL internet-based (iBT) exam score of 71 or paper-based exam score of 525. The institution  code for USU is 4857*

• IELTS score of 6.0 overall band score with a minimum of 5.0 on each subscale*

• MET score of 52
• Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency score of 169
• SAT Evident-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 500. The institution code for USU us 4857*
• SAT Reading score of at least 27 first Administered March 2016. The institution code for USU is 4857*
• ACT English score of 18
. The institution code for USU is 4276
• USU Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) Placement Exam Total score of 146 and Writing Score of 31**


*Scores more than 2 years old are not accepted.

**Visit the IELI Placement Exam webpage to learn more.

Note: English proficiency requirements for international undergraduate students can be found on the International Student Admission  page.

Intensive English Language Institute

An applicant who does not provide proof of English language proficiency through one of the options above must take the English Language Placement Exam, given by USU’s Intensive English Language Institute (IELI), if admitted. The exam will determine if you meet USU’s English language proficiency requirement or your place in one of four class levels of English instruction. You will be required to complete any required intensive English language courses before beginning other academic course work.

Undergraduate students who believe they demonstrate English language proficiency may appeal by sending an email and supportive documentation to the Admissions Office at admit@usu.edu.

Criminal History Disclosure Requirement

All undergraduate applicants are required to disclose if they have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation, or if any such charge is currently pending against them. Applicants who have a criminal history are required to complete a background questionnaire for each offense. If an applicant’s answer changes prior to enrollment, they must promptly contact the Office of Admissions to provide an explanation. By submitting the questionnaire, the applicant consents to Utah State University obtaining information from appropriate persons to validate or otherwise learn more about the conduct in order to make appropriate education-related decisions. Specifically, the applicant authorizes the pertinent governmental agencies to disclose to appropriate officials at Utah State or its agents the facts and circumstances of the applicant’s criminal conviction(s), incarceration(s), probation(s) and/or parole(s). Finally, the applicant consents to permit Utah State University to make an informed decision regarding their application for admission to Utah State. Failure to disclose all criminal history may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the university.

Academic Action Disclosure Requirement

All undergraduate applicants are required to disclose if they have ever been expelled, suspended, disciplined, placed on probation by, or are ineligible to return to, any institution of learning attended, including without limitation, a college, academy, technical or trade school, university, or grade school beyond grade eight. Applicants who have had any of these actions taken against them are required to provide a detailed statement of explanation. Failure to disclose may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the university. By submitting the statement, the applicant consents to Utah State University obtaining information from appropriate persons to validate or otherwise learn more about the conduct in order to make appropriate education-related decisions. Finally, the applicant consents to permit Utah State University to make an informed decision regarding their application for admission to Utah State.

Please note that academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to the university. The university may evaluate an applicant’s behavior to determine their ability to maintain the standards of academic and professional conduct expected at the university.

Related Information

Admission Deferment

Newly accepted first-year, transfer, or readmitted students who wish to defer their start date to a later semester may request to do so (without reapplying) by submitting an online Deferment Request (see Deferments at usu.edu/admissions for more information). Deferment requests are due no later than the last week of classes of the semester for which the student was initially admitted. Deferments are generally granted for a total of one and one half years. However, they may be granted for up to three years for those participating in official assignments such as military, church, or humanitarian service. All deferment requests must be approved by the Admissions Office.

Questions regarding deferment should be directed to the Admissions Office located in the TSC 102, by phone at (435) 797-1079, or email at admit@usu.edu.

International students must contact the office of Global Engagement located in Military Science 115, by phone at 435-797-1124 or by email at global.engagement@usu.edu.

Graduate students contact their Graduate Program Coordinator to submit a deferment request.

Exploratory Program

Declaring a Major

To change your major/program of study, please contact the advisor of the incoming program.

Residency Policy and Application

Persons who have been classified as nonresident students and who feel they now satisfy therequirements for Utah Resident Status for tuition purposes must file an application with the Residency Office, Taggart Student Center 102. The Residency Application is available at usu.edu/admissions/residency through the student’s Service Now account. There is no application fee. Applications are processed for each fall and spring semester. The final deadline is no later than the end of the third week of the semester. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered. The residency application cannot be completed or processed until the student is admitted to the university.

If an application is denied by the Residency Office, the student may appeal to the Residency Appeals Committee no later than the end of the semester for which the student is seeking residency. Appeals cannot be considered after this deadline.

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

• Be a U.S. citizen or meet one of the HB 102 immigration status requirements.
• Document living in Utah for 12 continuous months.
• Not be claimed as a dependent on most recent federal tax return by anyone who is not a resident of Utah.
• Obtain a Utah vehicle registration, voter registration, and driver’s license at least three months prior to the start of the semester for which the student is applying 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 evidence of employment in Utah, income taxes, birth certificate, parent’s tax returns, etc.

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

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. Below are the most common exceptions to the 12-month waiting period for residency and the required documentation listed in the Regents Policy 512, Determination of Residency Status. For a complete list of exceptions, explanations and definitions, please visit our residency website (listed below) for the link to the R512 document on the Utah System of Higher Education’s website.

1. Dependent children and spouses of those who were recruited or transferred to Utah for full-time employment.
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 and their dependents with current duty station in Utah can pay resident tuition while they are stationed in Utah.
6. Military veterans and their dependents may also qualify for residency for tuition purposes, regardless of where they served.
7. Native Americans who are registered on the tribal rolls of tribes whose lands are contiguous to Utah. These tribes are: Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indians; Navajo Nation (Diné); Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation of Utah (Washakie); Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (Cedar City Band of Paiutes, Kanosh Band of Paiutes, Koosharem Band of Paiutes, Indian Peaks Band of Paiutes, and Shivwits Band of Paiutes); Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians of Utah; Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation; Ute Mountain Tribe of theUte Mountain Reservation; Hopi; Zuni; Shoshone-Bannock Tribe. Proof of tribal enrollment is required.

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

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

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) 797-9187 for information concerning their educational benefits. Veterans or eligible dependents must make application for admission and be matriculated in a degree program.

Providing Educational Services to Military Service Members

The university has entered into a Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding focused on improving services delivered to military service members. 

The university bans the practice of providing commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including Tuition Assistance funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance. 

The university does not make multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, or engage in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments. 

Readmission of Service Members

U.S. Armed Forces members who cannot attend or start school due to military service will be admitted with the same academic status they had when they last attended. A leave of absence/deferment or new application may be required. Notification of service and intent to return may be directed to the Admissions Office at admit@usu.edu or 1-800-488-8108.

Western Undergraduate Exchange

Utah State University participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE/WRGP), a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE/WRGP, 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/WRGP text in the Financial Aid and Scholarships section or visit usu.edu/admissions/scholarships/wue.

Credit by Examination

New first-year students 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.

International Undergraduate Student Admission

For information about admission procedures for international undergraduate students, see the International Student Admission  page.