Freshman admission requirements.
Washington State University strives to admit those applicants who are best prepared to benefit from and contribute to our academic community. Admission specialists will review your application and supporting documentation carefully to assess your overall academic preparation.
Standard criteria
In evaluating your application, the University will consider the following factors:
- Grade point average and standardized test scores
- The strength of your high school course work, including senior-year course work
- Grades that you earned and improvement you’ve shown in your academic performance
- The additional information you provide us in your personal statement
Optional criteria
You may also choose to include letters of recommendation or other materials that speak to your potential for academic success. Such letters are often helpful in the review process, particularly if they speak to your academic abilities.
What matters most?
Admission is competitive. Not all factors are weighted equally and no single factor will guarantee admission. Space availability and the competitiveness of the application pool will influence admission decisions. However, you are most likely to be offered admission if you have done all of the following:
- Taken courses that meet or exceed high school core requirements*
- Maintained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.4 or higher
- Achieved an above average score on the SAT or ACT
- Provided a thoughtful and well-written response to the personal statement
- Met the priority application date
*You’ll have an advantage if you’ve taken academically challenging coursework such as advanced placement (AP) courses, higher level courses, and so on.
It’s important that you dedicate considerable attention to your admission application—particularly your personal statement. In that response, you can highlight your interests and achievements so that we can consider the contributions you would make to the University community.