First-Time Freshmen Admission Requirements

West Virginia University has adopted a test optional application for the 2022-2023 terms. We encourage you to learn more about test optional admissions, or our WVU Board of Governor’s (BOG) rules if applying with standardized scores.

Academic Coursework

To be considered for freshman admission, you 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
• 3 units of college preparatory Mathematics
  • 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
• 4 units of Social Studies/Fine Arts
  • Any combination of Social Studies, Fine Arts or Humanities will fulfill the requirement; combination must include U.S. History
• 3 units of Science
  • Recommended units include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Environmental Science
• 2 units of the same World Language
  • American Sign Language meets this requirement

Common questions:

• How do I send my transcript?
• How does WVU calculate my GPA?

Standardized Test Scores and Applying Test Optional

Our test optional policy means that you can apply without an ACT or SAT score. However, we do encourage that students submit scores if available, and offer the option to submit after receiving a decision. WVU superscores and offers multiple options for submitting test scores.

Select academic programs will require a test score, math assessment or a minimum GPA for direct admission. This is due to the competitive nature of some majors, or limited space. However, WVU will automatically evaluate all applicants regardless of major for the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS). This ensures that students receive an admissions decision if awaiting a test date or choose to submit scores later.

In place of test scores, emphasis will be placed on the following for test optional applicants: cumulative and core GPA, meeting academic requirements, rigor of high school curriculum, college preparatory coursework, and intended major.

Students have until June 1, whether applying regular admission or test optional, to submit updated academic credentials, including test scores and transcripts, for merit eligibility.

Common questions:

• How do I apply test optional?
• How do I submit my test scores? And what's a "superscore"?
• What majors require a test score, a math assessment or minimum GPA for admission?
• What is the ALEKS math placement and TEAS assessment?
• What is the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success?
• What is the average first-time freshman profile of enrolled students?
• How do I qualify for merit scholarships at WVU?

College and Program Admission Requirements for First-Time Freshmen

Admission to the University does not ensure admission into a specific school or college. Some colleges and programs have additional admission standards that exceed the requirements for admission to WVU, including test optional. Also, some Engineering majors may reach capacity and therefore will be restricted from entry.

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Test optional applicants who meet the minimum GPA and core course requirements will be admitted into Engineering and are required to complete an ALEKS exam for math/science placement. Students will receive communication on next steps and how to enroll in ALEKS through the university.

College of Creative Arts

College of Education and Human Services

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Test optional applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement will be admitted into the STEM Pathway within the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS), and may complete an ALEKS exam for placement into Forensic Science. Students who meet the minimum ALEKS score of 45 will automatically be reevaluated for direct placement into their desired major. Admitted students will receive communication on next steps and how to enroll in ALEKS through the university.

John Chambers College of Business and Economics

To be admitted to the John Chambers College of Business and Economics, a student must have a qualifying math score (ACT 19 / RSAT 510/ ALEKS 30+) OR a minimum high school GPA of 2.75. For direct admission to a major within the College, the student must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.00. Students who do not meet these requirements will be referred to the WVU Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS) until they complete their pre-business curriculum.

School of Dentistry

Due to capacity limitations and the competitive nature of the Dental Hygiene program, the fall 2022 application deadline is February 1, 2022. We strongly encourage students to submit an ACT or SAT test score for this major. If applying test optional, please contact your WVU Regional Recruiter to learn more about the math assessment that is required. Application review begins mid-fall and interviews in January. For more details, including supplemental requirements in support of your application, please visit the Dental Hygiene Website.

School of Medicine

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing – Morgantown Campus has a priority application deadline of December 1 for the fall 2022 term for first-time freshman due to the competitive nature of the program. Students are encouraged to apply early.

First-time freshman direct-admit and pre-nursing criteria are provided below for ACT or SAT score senders.

Test scores are strongly encouraged for first-time freshman applicants. However, test optional applicants who meet the minimum GPA and core courses will be admitted to the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences - Health and Well-Being major. Once admitted, students receive details to take the TEAS exam – Test of Essential Academic Skills – and will need a minimum composite score of 70%. Only the first two TEAS exam attempts will be considered. Students will be reevaluated for nursing or pre-nursing if space is available based on their GPA and TEAS score.

School of Pharmacy

Test optional applicants who meet the minimum GPA and core course requirements will be admitted into the Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success (CLASS), and are required to complete an ALEKS exam for placement into direct admit Pharmacy. Students will receive communication on next steps and how to enroll in ALEKS through the university.

School of Public Health

Transcript Submission

For Application Review

All applicants must submit transcripts of previous coursework or self-report courses and grades.

Options for submitting transcripts and self-reported courses and grades are:

• High school counseling office may email or mail an official transcript, or send via an electronic document service. 
• Applicant may submit an unofficial high school transcript via email or mail at any time, or they may upload the document when completing the WVU Application.
  
• Applicant may complete the self-reported courses and grades section on the WVU Application or the Common Application for 9th-11th grade; only self-reported courses are required for 12th grade.
• Once dual enrollment or college-in-high school grades post, submit official transcripts of completed college coursework directly from the degree-granting institution.
• Official college transcripts must be received from the degree-granting institution and will not be processed if submitted by an applicant or school counselor.

For Enrollment

If submitting unofficial transcripts for application review, please note that an official transcript must be received upon enrollment. Mail, email or fax your transcript to:

Office of Admissions 
West Virginia University 
P.O. Box 6009 
Morgantown, WV 26506-6009

WVUadmissions@mail.wvu.edu

Fax: 304-293-8832

How GPA is Calculated and Evaluated

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 reserves the right to verify and/or edit reported calculations.

• Our Office of Admissions does not recalculate GPA. We use the GPA reported on the high school transcript or self-reported by the student when submitting their application (if opting to use the self-reported courses and grades feature).
• WVU applies a GPA based on a 4.0 scale for application review, direct admission to majors, eligibility for the Honors College, and merit scholarship eligibility.
• We will use a weighted GPA if provided on the high school transcript or self-reported by the student. A reminder that students should only self-report their GPA if they know their official calculation as determined by their high school.
• WVU reserves the right to recalculate GPA when the weighted or non-weighted GPA falls outside of the four-point scale or in other instances where recalculation is deemed appropriate.
• Once admitted, students may submit a new GPA calculation by having an official high school transcript sent to the Office of Admissions with the new calculation. Students may not self-report an updated GPA once their application is submitted
• If your high school calculates GPA based on a percentage scale, you may use the calculator below to determine your GPA on a 4.0 scale. The calculator accepts up to one decimal point and will round up or down accordingly.

Submitting Standardized Test Scores

How to Submit Your Scores

• Score reports sent directly from the testing agency. Our ACT code is 4540; College Board code is 5904.
• An official score report (the PDF version) direct from the student or school counselor.
• Listed on the official transcript submitted by the student’s school counseling office
• Please note:
• We do not accept screen shots, web print-outs or photos of score reports.
• Students may not self-report test scores on the Common Application or the WVU Application.
• We will not accept scores listed on an unofficial transcript.

Superscores and Score Updates

• We accept multiple test dates for either exam and superscore for admission, the Honors College and merit awards.
• WVU combines the highest sub-scores from different test dates to create a "superscore" total or composite.
• Once admitted, students may continue to submit new scores (our merit deadline is July 15 for updating scores).