North Dakota State University

Incoming freshman are encouraged to complete the application process sometime between September and January for the following Fall Semester or by November for the following Spring Semester to ensure other applications and paperwork can be completed in a timely manner. The priority application deadline for Fall Semester is August 1.  The priority application deadline for Spring Semester is December 1. (Exceptions include students who have answered Yes to any Safety and Security questions, students who are required to participate in the Intensive English Language Program, and Pathway Program applicants. These groups all have other deadlines prior to the start of classes.) Please note it may take two to three weeks from the date all materials are received to process your application. You can expect an admission decision by mail.

Applications are evaluated on an individual basis. Admission decisions are based on your total high school record. The university uses selective criteria in order to assure adequate preparation which will enable students to be successful in their academic pursuits.

Applicants must complete the following high school college preparatory courses (one unit equals one year of study):

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of mathematics (at the level of algebra 1 and above)
• 3 units of laboratory science
• 3 units of social science
  Completion of the core courses does not guarantee admission to NDSU.

In addition to fulfilling the college preparatory courses, grade point average (GPA) and ACT or SAT scores are considered in evaluating an application. The ACT writing test is not required.  The general guidelines used in making admission decisions include a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale) with strong consideration given to grades earned in college preparatory courses. An ACT composite score of 21 or higher or SAT score (math and reading) of 970 or higher is recommended. Students who do not meet these guidelines will be considered if other supporting factors show potential for success.

NDSU will accept the General Education Development (GED) certificate from applicants 19 or older. For students testing prior to 2002, an average of 45 and subject scores no lower than 40 are required. Students testing in 2002 or later must present an overall average score of 450 with no subject score lower than 410.

To be considered for freshman admission, students must submit the following:

1. The Completed Application for Admission. The application is available online or you may also obtain an application at your school's career or guidance office or the NDSU Office of Admission.

2. A $35 nonrefundable Application Fee. The fee can be paid at the time you apply online, submitted with a paper application, or paid online at a later date. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid. SBHE Policy 805.3 mandates the undergraduate application fee of $35. This fee supports recruitment, admission and outreach activities and includes, but is not limited to, direct mail, publication printing, office supplies, computer software (i.e., ImageNow) and other expenses associated with the Office of Undergraduate Admission at NDSU.

3. An official high school Transcript. An in progress transcript should be sent to make an admission decision and a high school transcript with final grades and a graduation date is required upon completion of high school. Transcripts must be signed and dated by a school official. NDSU does not accept faxed transcripts.

4. Scores from the ACT or SAT (NDSU code number is 3202 for the ACT and 6474 for SAT). The ACT writing test is not required.

5. Official college Transcripts. Students taking course work at colleges or universities while enrolled in high school should mail official transcripts. To be considered official, the transcripts must be sent directly to NDSU from the issuing institution. Transcripts can be sent at the completion of all college coursework and are not necessarily required to make an admission decision. Students with substantial college course work (more than 24 earned credits) are encouraged to send official transcripts at the time of application for a preliminary course evaluation.

Admission materials should be mailed directly to NDSU Office of Admission, Dept. 5230, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050.

Transfer students are encouraged to complete the application process prior to early registration in April (for summer or fall) or November (for spring) to allow processing time for both your application and your credit evaluation. The priority application deadline for Fall Semester is August 1. Thepriority application deadline for Spring Semester is December 1. (Exceptions include students who have answered Yes to any Safety and Security questions on the application for admission.) 

An admission decision will be based on a review of your total academic record. Our general recommendation is that all applicants present at least a 2.0 GPA in all college course work to be considered for admission. If you have credits from more than one college or university, all credits will be combined to determine the cumulative GPA for admission consideration. When reviewing applications, particular attention is paid to students' most recent course work. If you have in-progress course work at the time of application, all course work must be completed with passing grades.

If you have earned fewer than 24 transferable college credits at the time of application, your high school record and test scores will be taken into consideration, along with the your GPA in college course work. If you have more than 24 transferable credits, a decision will be based on your cumulative GPA from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.

Students who have been suspended from other institutions will not be considered for admission to NDSU until the suspension has been lifted by that institution or one year has elapsed. Suspended students may not transfer course work into NDSU that was completed during the suspension period, unless prior approval, through an appeal process, has been granted.

Students interested in transferring to NDSU from another college or university should submit the following.

1. A completed Application for Admission. The application is available online.

2. The $35 nonrefundable Application Fee. The fee can be paid at the time you apply online, submitted with a paper application, or paid online at a later date. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid.  SBHE Policy 805.3 mandates the undergraduate application fee of $35. The fee supports recruitment, admission and outreach activities and includes, but is not limited to, direct mail, publication printing, office supplies, computer software (i.e., ImageNow) and other expenses associated with the Office of Undergraduate Admission at NDSU.

3.  Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. To be considered official, the transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admission from the issuing institution. Transcripts must be signed by the school official and contain the school seal. NDSU does not accept faxed transcripts.

4. An ACT or SAT score (if under 25 years of age or have less than 24 credits of college work completed).

5.  An official high school transcript (unless 60 college credits have been completed at the time of application). Transcripts must be signed and dated by a school official and contain a graduation date. NDSU does not accept faxed transcripts.

6. Supplemental Applications may be required by students seeking admission to professional programs. The following academic programs use some form of selective admission for transfer students beyond general university admission standards:

• Accounting
• Agricultural Communication
• Architecture
• Business Administration
• Construction Engineering
• Construction Management
• Computer Engineering
• Criminal Justice
• Dietetics
• Education (all programs)
• Electrical Engineering
• Exercise Science
• Finance
• Health Communication
• Industrial Engineering and Management
• Interior Design
• International Studies
• Journalism
• Landscape Architecture
• Management
• Management Communication
• Management Information Systems
• Marketing
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Music
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Public Relations and Advertising
• Radiologic Sciences
• Respiratory Care
• Sport and Recreation Studies
• Veterinary Technology

Upon admission to NDSU, your transcripts will be forwarded to the NDSU Office of Registration and Records for an evaluation of transfer credits. You can expect an evaluation approximately three to four weeks after your admission to NDSU. To help you in preparation for a transfer, courses that are accepted in transfer to NDSU and the NDSU course equivalencies are listed online with other academic information.

NDSU's admission staff is available to work with you one-on-one to select classes at your home institution that will transfer to NDSU and continue with advising as you prepare your NDSU course schedule. It is important for you to contact us early in your college career to ensure your course work will apply to your degree of study at NDSU.

International Student requirements for admission differ from U.S. students.

Applications are evaluated based on English language proficiency, academic achievement and financial resources. You can get the application and more details regarding requirements and deadlines from the Office of International Programs.