First-Time Freshmen

You are considered a first-time freshman if you are a current high school senior, have a TASC/GED or haven't attended college since graduating.

How to Apply as a First-Time Freshman

To apply to West Virginia University as a first-time freshman, please complete the following steps:

WVU has a rolling admissions policy.  You should receive our decision within a few weeks after we receive your application and required materials. 

Application Deadlines for First-Time Freshmen

WVU has a rolling admissions policy, which means we do not have a specific deadline by which you must apply. Applicants are considered for and informed of admission on a first-come, first-served basis. For you to be considered for first-time freshman admission all application materials and supporting documents must be received by these dates:

• by December 1 for spring semester admission
  
• by August 1 for fall semester admission

We recommend you apply as early as possible. 

Students Who've Taken the TASC, GED or HiSET

For students who have taken the TASC, GED or HiSET after their anticipated high school graduation date, please submit the WVU undergraduate application for admission and contact the State Department of Education to request that scores be mailed to the WVU Office of Admissions.

Score requirements:

• Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) - score of 500 on each of the five subtest categories
  
• General Equivalency Degree (GED) - average standard score of 2250 (450) or above
  
• HiSET exam - minimum score of 45

Home Schooled Students

Each year, WVU accepts applications for admission from students who are educated at home or in non-accredited high schools. These applicants must submit a complete undergraduate application and SAT or ACT test scores. 

The strength of your coursework is important in the admission process. Home schooled applicants and applicants who attended non-accredited high schools must furnish documentation to validate learning in four of the academic core areas, shown above in Admission Requirements for First-Time Freshmen, unless they were completed at an accredited high school or college. If you completed units at an accredited high school or college, transcripts of the units taken must be provided to WVU.

This documentation should take the form of a typed manuscript or description of your class background and must include the following, at a minimum:

• The student’s name.
• A list and description of courses completed.
• 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.

Upon completion of an application file with the required documentation, WVU will review the entire application file of an individual who has been home schooled or attended a non-accredited high school. All application materials must be received by the regular admission deadline.

Please note: West Virginia residents who were home-schooled and who are applying for a WV PROMISE Scholarship or a West Virginia Higher Education Grant must have TASC or GED. Further questions regarding this should be directed to West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Early Admission

WVU will admit a limited number of rising high school seniors who have demonstrated high academic achievement and maturity to enter college before high school graduation. Students who have completed their junior year in high school with 3.5 GPA or higher and a 26 enhanced ACT composite or a super scored Math and Critical Reading SAT total of 1170 (pre-March 2016 test sitting) or a super scored Evidence Based Reading/Writing and Math Section score of 1240 (post-March 2016 test sitting) and have completed all requirements for graduation from high school except senior English may apply for early admission. 

In addition to submitting the freshman admission application and required documents, the principal or guidance counselors must submit a letter supporting the application. The student's parent(s) or guardian(s) must also submit a letter of support for the application. 

Once the above requirements are met, an interview with the student will be conducted for the Early Admissions Program.

Scholarship Eligibility

You are considered for merit scholarships when you apply for admission to WVU. To estimate your scholarship eligibility, you can use our scholarship calculator or the Scholarships section of the Financial Support and Services website. Please contact the admissions counselor from your state or region if you have an updated transcript with a higher GPA for scholarship consideration. 

Freshman Class Statistics

The average student enrolled in WVU’s Fall 2018 freshman class had a 3.55 high school GPA, ACT score of 24 and a combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 1133.

Need Help?