You are a freshman applicant if you are applying to the university either
directly from high school and have never attended a university, or have been
enrolled in a Dual Enrollment program as part of your high school program.
Your high school academic record is the single most important factor in our
evaluation process for freshman admission. The quality and level of courses,
grade point average, and grade trends are all important factors. SAT I
(including the essay portion) and/or ACT scores also are required, as well as a
personal essay. Your work experience, teacher recommendations and
extracurricular activities as well as a personal essay may strengthen your
overall credentials for admission. SAT II test scores are not required but may
add support to your application. The TOEFL or ELPT is recommended for students
who are non-native speakers of English. Specific requirements for some majors
such as education, nursing and occupational therapy are described below.
As a Massachusetts public state university, the University determines freshman
admission eligibility in accordance with the published standards established by
the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (MBHE). Meeting these minimum
standards does not guarantee admission to the University.
MBHE
Massachusetts High School Unit Requirements (University Preparatory) Sixteen
University preparatory courses (each course is equivalent to a year-long high
school class) are required as a minimum. These include:
|
Department |
Courses |
|
English |
4 courses |
|
Mathematics |
3 courses (Algebra I & II and Geometry or Trigonometry, or comparable course
work) |
|
Sciences |
3 courses (including 2 courses with laboratory work) |
|
Social Sciences |
2 courses (including U.S. history) |
|
Foreign Languages |
2 courses (in a single language) |
|
Electives |
2 courses |
Minimum Grade Point Average in Required Courses
The grades you earn in University preparatory courses will be averaged into a
grade point average (GPA). In calculating your GPA, you will receive extra
credit for accelerated courses (for example, honors or Advanced Placement
courses.)
Your grades will be converted to a 4.0 scale, where "A" = 4.0, "B" = 3.0, "C" =
2.0, and "D" = 1.0. On this scale, a 3.0 GPA is roughly equal to a "B" average.
A 3.0 minimum GPA is required, unless the student attains one of the GPA/SAT
combinations listed on the chart below.
SAT I or ACT Test Requirement
For students with a GPA of 3.0 or above, the University reserves the right to
establish additional criteria, such as a minimum SAT I or ACT score and/or
minimum class standing.
For those students with a GPA below 3.0, a clear-cut minimum SAT I /ACT score
will be applied as a minimum standard, in accordance with the chart below.
Students who meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 should not use this chart.
|
GPA |
SAT I |
ACT |
|
2.51-2.99 |
920 |
19 |
|
2.41-2.50 |
960 |
20 |
|
2.31-2.40 |
1000 |
21 |
|
2.21-2.30 |
1040 |
22 |
|
2.11-2.20 |
1080 |
23 |
|
2.00-2.10 |
1120 |
24 |
Accepted freshmen attending Massachusetts public high schools must present
evidence of passing the M.C.A.S. prior to enrollment.
A final, official high school transcript conferring the diploma will suffice for
this purpose.
Checklist for freshmen applicants:
· Application
form and fee of $40.00
· Official
high school transcript(s): Please request that your secondary high
school(s) Guidance Office forwards an official high school transcript including
first quarter senior grades directly to the University.
· Scholastic
Assessment Test Report(s):
Please arrange, through the University Board or your guidance office, to forward
results of ALL SAT-I scores directly to the Admissions Office.
The University Board Code for Worcester State University is 3524.
If English is not your native language, you may qualify to additionally submit
the TOEFL. Please talk to your
guidance counselor.
Applicants who have taken Dual Enrollment courses:
Please send a complete listing of all Dual Enrollment courses that includes
course number, title and the number of credits. You will also need to
request the official University transcript from the University after courses are
completed.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) STUDENTS
You are an ESL student. You may be eligible for exceptions to the admission
requirements. For example, you may substitute two electives for the two required
foreign language courses. You must take the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) or the SAT II: English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), and
should contact your guidance counselor or the Admission Office for more
information.
VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
APPLICANTS
You are applying as a senior at a vocational-technical high school. You must
earn the same minimum GPA as other students and submit the SAT I or ACT scores.
Vocational-technical applicants must complete an additional elective
University-preparatory course, for a total of three such courses, and satisfy
one of the following options:
• Complete at least one Carnegie* unit of foreign language;
• Complete a fourth Carnegie unit of mathematics or science, which
need not be a laboratory course; or
• Complete one Carnegie unit of computer science.
* A Carnegie unit represents a full academic year of study or its equivalent
in a specific subject.
This requirement will remain in effect until the Massachusetts Department of
Education (DOE) implements its requirements regarding world language study for
vocational-technical students. At that time, vocational-technical applicants
will be required to meet DOE requirements for world language study for admission
to Worcester State University.