Freshman General Admissions Requirements

To be considered for freshman admission, a student must successfully complete the following high school credits:

  • 4 units of English (including grammar, composition, and literature)

  • 4 units of college preparatory mathematics 
        >>Three units must be Algebra I and II and Plane Geometry
       Select majors may require a fourth math considered to be higher than Algebra II

  • 3 units of social studies (including U.S. History)

  • 3 units of science (ALL units must be laboratory science.)
        >> Recommended units include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics,
              Anatomy, and Environmental Science

  • 2 units of a foreign language, must be the same language.
        >> American Sign Language is acceptable for this requirement

  • 1 unit of fine arts
        >> Recommended units include: Music, Band, Art, Theater, Dance,
              Drama, and Performance

These requirements are in addition to the GPA and test score criteria needed to review the applications, as noted below under "Minimum Requirements for Application Review."

Transcripts

Don't forget: all applications must be accompanied by an official transcript. Send official transcripts of all of your previous schoolwork to WVU. You can send these with your application or have your high school send them separately. Also send official transcripts of any college work you have completed.

Send transcripts to:

WVU Admissions
PO Box 6009
Morgantown, WV 26506-6009
Fax: 304-293-8832
 

Essays and Recommendations

The WVU undergraduate admissions application does not include an essay. Recommendations are not required, but the admissions staff may request that you submit a recommendation if they need additional information. When you apply for some WVU scholarships and special programs, you may be asked to submit essays and/or recommendations.

Minimum Requirements for Application Review

(meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission)

    West Virginia residents must have at least a 2.0 grade-point average and either a composite ACT score of 19 or a combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 910.

    Nonresidents must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average and either a composite ACT score of 21 or a combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 990.

Please note that WVU does not mix and match sub scores from different test dates for admissions and scholarship consideration. Only the best composite score is used in determining eligibility.

WVU does not require students to take the optional written component of the ACT examination.

Grade-point average (GPA) is based on information received from a student's high school transcript. The most recent cumulative GPA on the transcript is used when determining admission to the University. This is the same GPA used by the Undergraduate Scholarship Office when determining scholarship eligibility. The Office of Admissions does not re-calculate GPAs for scholarship consideration after the initial high school transcript is received. 

Additional Requirements for Specific Programs

Some colleges and programs within WVU have admission standards that exceed the minimal University admission requirements. Admission to the University does not ensure admission into a specific school, college, or program. Please review the Additional Requirements page for more information about college- or program-specific requirements.

2009 Freshman Class Profile

The average student enrolled in WVU's Fall 2009 freshman class had a 3.31 high school grade point average, a composite ACT score of 23.6, and/or SAT Math + Critical Reading score of 1048.

Home Schooled Applicants and Applicants Graduating from Non-Accredited High Schools

Home schooled applicants and applicants graduating from non-accredited high schools must meet the minimum requirements for application review and also submit a typed manuscript or description of their class background. Minimally, this documentation must include:

  • The student’s name
  • A list and description of courses completed. Descriptions should include duration of study, content of the course, and measurement of student assessment
  • Grades earned for the courses completed
  • The number of credits earned for each course

The courses must be broken down by 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years. The transcripts must bear the signature of the person who administered the curriculum.

Detailed guidelines are available at http://adm.wvu.edu/freshman/home_schooled.

GED Applicants

GED scores may be used for admission consideration. You need to submit an average standard score of 45 or above for consideration.

To determine the average standard GED score, please follow one of these two steps:

  • For three-digit scores, divide by 5 to determine the average standard score.
  • For four-digit scores, divide by 50 to determine the average standard score.