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How to Apply

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. 

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 freshmen, without exception, is August 1 for fall semester admission (January 2 for spring semester admission). Admitted students may submit updated test scores and GPA calculations until the merit 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 August 1 for fall semester admission (January 2 for spring) via official score report or from the testing center

Common questions:

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

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

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.

Submitting ACT, AP or SAT Test Scores

How to Submit Your Scores

College Board/SAT Scores
ACT
  • 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
  • We accept multiple test dates for ACT and SAT and superscore for admission, the Honors College and merit awards.
  • For merit scholarships, official scores must be received by August 1. If ordering from the testing center, delivery takes 2-3 weeks. The order date does not qualify as meeting the August 1 deadline. The official scores must be received no later than August 1.

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