First-Time Freshmen Admission Requirements

West Virginia University has adopted a test optional application for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 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

All applicants must submit transcripts of previous coursework, including first-time freshman students self-reporting courses and grades.

Options for submitting high school transcripts and self-reported courses and grades

• Official high school transcripts must be sent by the high school counseling office. We do not accept official transcripts from the student or parent. 
• It is preferred that the high school counseling office email an official transcript to WVUadmissions@mail.wvu.edu or send via an electronic document service utilized by the high school. Documents sent via email or document service take 3-5 business days to process. 
  
• Mailed documents are accepted and take 2-3 weeks to receive and process from the date sent. Mail documents to WVU Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506.
• First-time freshman applicants may submit an unofficial high school transcript for decision processing. An official will be required prior to enrollment.
• First-time freshman applicants self-reporting courses and grades on the WVU or Common Application are to request that an official transcript be sent to WVU Admissions; this is required to reconcile the coursework and GPA. Students are encouraged to request that their high school counselor submit the official transcript as soon as possible. Self-reported GPAs will be adjusted to reflect the GPA on the transcript if different.
• First-time transfer applicants applying with fewer than 24 transferrable credits must have the final high school transcript submitted to the WVU Office of Admissions by the high school counseling office.
• All enrolling first-time freshman students must have an official final high school transcript on file prior to the start of classes. Enrollees without a final transcript will have a registration hold placed on their account which will prevent them from scheduling classes for a future term.

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

• Official college transcripts must be received from the institution and will not be processed if submitted by an applicant or school counselor.
• Applicants may use the following email address when ordering official transcripts for delivery: WVUadmissions@mail.wvu.edu. Transcripts take 2-3 weeks to receive and process from the date ordered.
• Official college transcripts must be sent by each institution attended; we do not accept credit from multiple institutions listed on one transcript or college credit listed on the high school transcript.
• Advanced Placement (AP) may be submitted to the WVU Office of Admissions as follows:
• The official AP score report sent by the student or high school counselor to WVUadmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
• An electronic score report ordered via College Board. Please use code 5904. Electronic score delivery takes 3-4 weeks to process from the date sent.
• Course, score and testing date listed on the official high school transcript and submitted by the high school counselor to WVUadmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
• Currently enrolled WVU students seeking transfer credit for AP courses must submit the official AP score report and file the AP Articulation Request ticket.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) transcripts may be ordered and sent to our office via the IB secure site or paper transcript.

How GPA is Calculated and Evaluated

Grade-point average (GPA) is based on information received from a student’s high school transcript or self-reported courses and grades. The most recent unweighted or weighted cumulative GPA, as reported on the transcript or by the student if self-reported, 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.

• GPA Calculations
  • The Office of Admissions does not recalculate GPA. However, WVU reserves the right to recalculate when needed.
  • We use the unweighted or weighted GPA reported on the high school transcript or self-reported by the student when submitting their application.
  • GPAs will be rounded to the second decimal point (e.g., 4.195 is rounded up to 4.2, while 4.19 stays at 4.19).
  • The Office of Admissions uses the calculator below to convert percentages to a 4.0 scale;  we do not use the Princeton Scale or the High School Profile for conversions.
• Self-Reporting GPA
  • Self-reported GPAs will require an official high school transcript prior to enrollment. We encourage students to send this as soon as possible once admitted.
  • The Office of Admissions will update the student record if the GPA reported on the official transcript is different than what was self-reported by the student.
  • Please note that changes to the self-reported GPA may impact eligibility for direct admission to majors, the Honors College, and merit awards.
  • Students should only self-report their GPA, courses and grades if they know their official calculation as determined by their high school.
• GPA Changes Once Admitted
  • Admitted first-time freshman students may submit the GPA Update Request form to request an evaluation if a change has occurred after being admitted.
    
  • A transcript with the updated GPA is required to request an evaluation. Students can upload an unofficial copy when submitting the form. 
    
  • The Office of Admissions will not recalculate GPA; an evaluation requires an updated calculation reported on the high school transcript. 
  • Deadline for GPA adjustments is June 1, 2022. 
    
  • Changes may take up to one week to apply to the admissions record and students will be notified of the change via email. 
  • GPA changes that impact scholarships may take 3-4 weeks to apply to the financial aid award which can be viewed in the student’s WVU Portal. 
    
  • GPA changes that impact direct admission to a major or eligibility for the Honors College are based on available space and priority deadlines. Students will be notified via email if changes are applied to their original major or if eligible to apply to the Honors College. 
    
• High School Transcripts
  • Students may upload a copy of their transcript with the application, send a copy to the Office of Admissions, or have their high school counseling office submit on their behalf.
  • An official high school transcript with graduation date is required of all enrolled students.
  • Visit our detailed section regarding high school transcript submission to learn more.

Submitting Standardized Test Scores

How to Submit Your Scores

• WVU’s Morgantown campus SAT code is 5904.
  
• List WVU to receive your scores when registering for the exam. Students can include up to four institutions as free sends.
• Students can log into their College Board account and download an official PDF score report and submit to wvuadmissions@mail.wvu.edu.
• 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.
  
• School counselors may submit an official College Board score report or an official high school transcript with scores listed on behalf of the student.

Superscores, Score Updates and Math Placement

• We accept multiple test dates for ACT and SAT and superscore for admission, the Honors College and merit awards.
• Once admitted, students may continue to submit updated scores. However, June 1 is the final date to apply score updates to merit.
• Even if applying test optional, we strongly encourage students to submit an ACT or SAT score for math and chemistry placement if they have taken an exam.