First-Time Students

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Freshman Admission Requirements

For admission to SDSU, we look for one of the following academic achievements:

• An ACT composite score or ACT superscore of 18 or SAT Math and Reading/Writing subscore total of 970.
• Level 3 or higher on Math and English Language Arts Smarter Balance Assessment.
• A high school cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher.
• A ranking in the top 60% of graduating class.

Students should also complete the following core courses with a C average or above:

• Four years of English (or ACT English subscore of 18 or above).
• Three years of advanced math—Algebra I and higher (or ACT math subscore of 20).
• Three years of laboratory science (or ACT science reasoning subscore of 17).
• Three years of social science (or ACT reading subscore of 17).
• One year of fine arts (or AP Fine Arts score of three or above), which includes vocal, instrumental and studio arts.

What to submit:

• Admission application
• $25 application fee (skip this if you’ve already attended any South Dakota public university, including SDSU, within the last year).
• Final, official high school transcript (don’t send this yourself; we need to receive it directly from your school).
• Official ACT or SAT score report (if these are on your high school transcript, that’s perfect).
• Official postsecondary transcripts (if you've enrolled in high school dual credit classes).

Homeschooled or Nonaccredited High School Graduates

Students who are homeschooled or attend a nonaccredited high school can be admitted to SDSU using one of two different criteria:

• Meet the minimum academic course requirements, listed in the Freshman Admissions Requirements above, with a C average or higher. Must be demonstrated by a certified home school or nonaccredited high school transcript approved by SDSU.

OR

• Obtain an ACT composite score or ACT superscore of 18 or SAT Math and Reading/Writing subscore total of 970.

Homeschooled or nonaccredited high school graduates must submit an official transcript (in a semester format) for review from either an accredited regional authority or home school provider in conjunction with state requirements.

Nonhigh School Graduates

To be admitted to SDSU, students must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants who did not graduate from high school or a home school program must meet one of the following requirements:

• Complete the General Educational Development test with the following minimum test scores:
  • Scores earned since Jan. 1, 2014: Reach a score of at least 145 on each subject and a total score of 580 or higher across all four subjects;
  • Scores earned before Jan. 1, 2014: Reach a score of at least 150 on each subject and a total score of 600 or higher across all four subjects; or
• Complete the High School Equivalency Test and obtain a minimum score of 15 on each of the five subsections; or
• Complete the Test Assessing Secondary Completion and obtain a minimum score of 500 on each of the five subtest categories.