First-Time Freshmen Admission Requirements

West Virginia University has a test-optional application. Learn more about our test-optional, no-harm admissions policy below, including requirements.

Standard admissions information is available per the WVU Board of Governor’s (BOG) rules.

Academic Coursework

First-time freshman applicants must successfully complete the following high school courses. Meeting the requirements below does not guarantee admission to the Morgantown campus.

• 4 units of English
  • Must include Grammar, Composition and Literature
  • Minimum requirements include Algebra I and II; higher level math courses are encouraged
  • West Virginia course equivalencies include a series of Math I, II and III
  • Any combination of Social Studies, Fine Arts or Humanities will fulfill the requirement; combination must include U.S. History
  • Recommended units include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Environmental Science
  • We recognize that some high schools do not require world languages to graduate, offer it exclusively as an elective, or are unable to provide access to instruction. In most instances, students who do not meet the two-unit requirement are eligible for an exception provided that they meet all other 9-12 grade coursework as outlined above and GPA benchmarks.

  Test-Optional Admission

  Test-optional admission permits applicants to apply without an ACT or SAT score. We encourage students to submit scores if available. However, our no-harm policy means that applicants can be confident that scores will only be used if to their advantage. This includes eligibility for admission to the university, the Honors College and automatically awarded merit scholarships.

  Select majors are competitive and have limited space. Please refer to the College Program Admissions Requirements section for GPA and/or test score requirements. We will automatically evaluate all applicants, regardless of major, for the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS).

  All first-time admitted students are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships. WVU’s merit deadline for first-time freshman, without exception, is June 1. Admitted students may submit updated test scores and GPA calculations until the deadline. Changes are not automatic for GPA edits; students must request a review of new credentials by submitting the GPA form. Test scores are automatically updated if received by June 1 via official score report or from the testing center.

  • How do I send my transcript?
  • Will WVU recalculate my GPA?
  • How do I submit an ACT, AP or SAT score?
  • Does WVU superscore?
  • How do I qualify for merit scholarships?
  • Can I update my GPA once admitted?

  College and Program Admission Requirements for First-Time Freshmen

  Some colleges and programs have specific admissions criteria or may reach capacity early in the admissions cycle. Please refer to the College and Program Admissions Requirements below.

  Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math
  Engineering Requirements	-	-	22	-	540
  Engineering Requirements for Test Optional Students	3.00	-	-	-	-
  Engineering Technology	-	-	-	-	-

  Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math
  Forensic Majors Requirements	-	-	22	-	540
  Forensic Majors Requirements for Test Optional Students	3.75	-	-	-	-

  John Chambers College of Business and Economics

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math	ALEKS
  Admission to Business	-	-	20	-	520	40
  Direct Admission to Major	3.00	-	-	-	-	-

  School of Dentistry

  The fall 2025 application deadline for Dental Hygiene is February 1, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit an ACT or SAT score. Application review begins mid-fall and includes an interview, shadowing and more. Please visit the Dental Hygiene website for additional details. Test optional applicants who do not meet the direct-entry requirements but are admissible to the University will be admitted to the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS). The School of Dentistry will contact admitted students with additional details regarding eligibility in the weeks following admission to the University.

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math
  Dental Hygiene Requirements	3.70	24	20	1180	520

  School of Medicine

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math
  Communication Sciences and Disorders Requirements	-	23	-	1150	-
  Communication Sciences and Disorders Requirements for Test Optional Students	3.00	-	-	-	-
  Immunology and Medical Microbiology Requirements	3.50	-	26	-	610
  Respiratory Therapy (Test Optional)	2.75	-	-	-	-

  School of Nursing

  The School of Nursing has limited space available for direct admission. Students are encouraged to meet with their WVU admissions counselor for more information if newly applied or already admitted and submitting updated credentials.

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math	TEAS
  Direct Nursing Requirements	3.60	25	20	1200	520	-
  Direct Nursing Requirements for Test Optional Students	3.80	-	-	-	-	80%
  Pre-Nursing Requirements	3.20	23	20	1130	520	-
  Pre-Nursing Requirements for Test Optional Students	3.60	-	-	-	-	-
  Pre-Nursing Requirements for Test Optional Students	3.20	-	-	-	-	70%

  School of Pharmacy

  Test optional applicants who do not meet the Pharmacy direct-entry requirements but are admissible to the university will be admitted to the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS). The School of Pharmacy will contact students with additional details regarding eligibility in the weeks following admission to the university.

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math
  Direct Admit Pathway Pharmacy Requirements	3.50	-	26	-	610

  School of Public Health

  ACT		SAT
  GPA	Composite	Math	Composite	Math
  Health Services Management and Leadership Requirements	2.50	21	-	1060	-
  Health Services Management and Leadership Requirements for Test Optional Students	2.75	-	-	-	-
  Public Health Requirements	2.50	-	19	-	510
  Public Health Requirements for Test Optional Students	2.75	-	-	-	-

  Transcript Submission

  All applicants must submit transcripts of previous coursework.

  Options for submitting high school transcripts

  • Official high school transcripts must be sent by the high school counseling office. We do not accept official transcripts from the student or parent.
  • It is preferred that the high school counseling office send via electronic document service utilized by the high school, or email an official transcript to scanning@mail.wvu.edu.
  • Documents sent via email or document service take 3-5 business days to process.
    
    • Mailed documents are accepted and take 2-3 weeks to receive and process from the date sent. Mail documents to WVU Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506.

    Options for submitting college transcripts, AP score reports and IB transcripts

    • Official college transcripts must be received from the institution and will not be processed if submitted by an applicant or school counselor.
    • You may use the following email address when ordering official transcripts for delivery: scanning@mail.wvu.edu. Transcripts take 2-3 weeks to receive and process from the date ordered.
    • Official college transcripts must be sent by each institution attended; we do not accept credit from multiple institutions listed on one transcript or college credit listed on the high school transcript.
    • Advanced Placement (AP) may be submitted to the WVU Office of Admissions as follows:
      • An electronic score report ordered via College Board. Please use code 5904. Electronic score delivery takes 5-7 business days to process from the date sent.
      • Currently enrolled WVU students seeking transfer credit for AP courses must submit the official AP score report and file the AP Articulation Request ticket.

      How GPA is Calculated and Evaluated

      Grade-point average (GPA) is based on information received from your high school transcript. The most recent unweighted or weighted cumulative GPA, as reported on the transcript is used for application review. This is the same GPA used by the Undergraduate Scholarship Office and the Honors College when determining eligibility. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to verify and/or edit reported calculations.

      • GPA Calculations
        • The Office of Admissions does not recalculate GPA. However, WVU reserves the right to recalculate when needed and may do so if you attended multiple high schools.
        • We use the unweighted or weighted GPA reported on your high school transcript or self-reported when submitting your application. Hand-written GPAs are not accepted – it must be an official calculation printed on the transcript.
        • GPAs will be rounded to the second decimal point (e.g., 4.195 is rounded up to 4.2, while 4.19 stays at 4.19).
        • The Office of Admissions uses the calculator below to convert percentages to a 4.0 scale; we do not use the Princeton Scale or the High School Profile for conversions.
        • Admitted first-time freshman students may submit the GPA Update Request form to request an evaluation if a change has occurred after being admitted.
          
        • A transcript with the updated GPA is required to request an evaluation. You can upload an unofficial copy when submitting the form.
          
        • The Office of Admissions will not recalculate GPA; an evaluation requires an updated calculation reported on the high school transcript.
        • Deadline for GPA adjustments is June 1.
          
        • Changes may take up to one week to apply to the admissions record and students will be notified of the change via email.
        • GPA changes that impact scholarships may take 3-4 weeks to apply to the financial aid award which can be viewed in the student’s WVU Portal.
          
        • GPA changes that impact direct admission to a major or eligibility for the Honors College are based on available space and priority deadlines. You will be notified via email if changes are applied to your original major or if you are eligible to apply to the Honors College.
          
        • You may upload a copy of your transcript with the application, send a copy to the Office of Admissions or have your high school counseling office submit on your behalf.
        • An official high school transcript with graduation date is required of all enrolled students.
        • Visit our detailed section regarding high school transcript submission to learn more.
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        Submitting ACT, AP or SAT Test Scores

        How to Submit Your Scores

        • WVU's Morgantown campus SAT code is 5904.
        • List WVU to receive your scores when registering for the exam. You can include up to four institutions as free sends.
        • Order the scores to be sent by the testing center to WVU Admissions. Scores will take 2-3 weeks to receive and process from the date sent.
        • WVU’s Morgantown campus ACT code is 4540.
        • List WVU to receive your scores when registering for the exam. You can include up to six institutions as free sends.
        • Order the scores to be sent by the testing center to WVU Admissions. Scores will take 2-3 weeks to receive and process from the date sent.
        Please note:
        • Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.
        • Screenshots, photos and web printouts will not be accepted.
        • WVU does not accept self-reported test scores on the Common App.
        • We will not accept scores listed on a high school transcript. Scores on a high school transcript will not be considered for:
          • admission
          • direct placement to a major
          • math placement
          • merit scholarships
          • Honors College
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