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Undergraduate Admissions

  • First-Year Students

    Whether you are still in high school or have never attended college, we’re delighted you are considering applying to Worcester State University. We encourage you to get to know us better by exploring our website and visiting with us.

    We know that the college application process can be a bit overwhelming and want to walk you through the process to make applying to Worcester State as easy as possible. Contact us if you have any questions.

    Here are the documents the Admissions Committee most commonly considers: 

    • Your high-school academic record is the single most important factor in our evaluation of prospective first-year students. The quality and rigor of courses, grade point average, and grade trends are all important factors. 
    • Standardized test scores like the SAT and/or the ACT are required*. We do not have a preference for which test you take. We will take your best combined scores. *Students may opt-in to our test-optional policy for fall 2018. Please refer to our policy below.
    • A personal essay is recommended, but not required. Select a topic on the application or write about any topic of your choice. 
    • Letters of recommendation and/or a resume are recommended, but not required.  These are helpful in highlighting work experience and extracurricular activities, which may strengthen your overall credentials for admission.  
    • Your TOEFL or IELTS Score Report if your education has been in a language other than English. If you are not sure you need to submit one of these reports, contact the Admissions Office for assistance. 
  • First-Year Admission Process

    Required Documents  

    • Application for Undergraduate Admission and $50 fee
    • Official high school transcript(s), including first quarter senior grades (transcripts deemed official only when sent directly to the Admissions Office from the high school)
    • Official copy of SAT or ACT. Test results should be submitted directly to Worcester State from the testing agency. If English is not the student’s native language, the submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores is recommended (Worcester State Codes: CEEB Code #3524 ACT code 1914).
    • Personal essay: recommended, not required

    Dual Enrollment: Students who have completed dual enrollment coursework must send a complete listing of all dual enrollment courses which include course number, title and the number of credits if not already provided on the high school transcript, along with an official college transcript from the college after courses are completed.

    First-Year Admission Deadlines

    Priority Application Filing Dates: All materials should be submitted as early as possible.

    Fall Semester (September Entrance)
    November 15
    Early Action (first-year applicants only)
    January 15 (firm)
    Nursing (BSN) and Occupational Studies (BSOS)
    March 1
    Regular Decision

     

    Spring Semester (January Entrance)
    November 15
     


    After these dates, the Admissions Office may still accept applications. Please note that certain majors may not be available to students completing their applications after the priority filing dates. Housing may be by wait list and financial aid limited.

    All pertinent deposits and the orientation fee are due on or before May 1 for those students who meet the priority deadlines.

    No Spring (January entrance) applications are accepted for Nursing (BSN) or Occupational Studies (BSOS).

    First-Year Admission Criteria

    To ensure you are prepared to succeed in college and as a Massachusetts public university, we determine first-year student admission eligibility in accordance with the published standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MDHE). However, meeting these minimum standards does not guarantee you admission to Worcester State.

    High School Unit Requirements (College Prep)

    Student must complete a minimum of 17 college-preparatory courses (each course is equivalent to a year-long high school class) as outlined in the table below to be eligible for admission:

    DepartmentCourses
    English4 courses
    Mathematics4 courses (Algebra I & II and Geometry or Trigonometry, or comparable course work) including mathematics during the final year of high school
    Sciences3 courses (laboratory-based, including natural/physical sciences or technology/engineering)
    Social Sciences2 courses (including U.S history)
    Foreign Languages2 courses (in a single language)


    Electives


    2 courses

     

    Minimum Grade Point Average in Required Courses
    Grades earned in college preparatory courses will be averaged into a grade point average (GPA). In calculating the GPA, extra credit will be given for accelerated courses (for example, honors or Advanced Placement courses.)
    Grades will be converted to a 4.0 scale, where "A" = 4.0, "B" = 3.0, "C" = 2.0, and "D" = 1.0. On this scale, a 3.0 GPA is roughly equal to a "B" average. A 3.0 minimum GPA is required, unless the student attains one of the GPA/SAT combinations listed on the chart below.

    SAT or ACT Test Requirement
    For students with a re-calculated GPA of 3.0 or above, the University reserves the right to establish additional criteria, such as a minimum SAT or ACT score and/or minimum class standing.

    For students with a re-calculated GPA below a 3.0, a clear-cut minimum SAT or ACT score will be applied as a minimum standard, in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education sliding scale admissions formula outlined in the chart below. Students who meet the minimum 3.0 re-calculated GPA requirement should not use this chart.

    GPASAT (old)SAT (new) ACT
    2.51 - 2.9991099019
    2.41 - 2.50950103020
    2.31 - 2.40 990107021
    2.21 - 2.301030111022
    2.11 - 2.201070114023
    2.00 - 2.101110118024

    Accepted freshmen attending Massachusetts public high schools must present evidence of passing the M.C.A.S. prior to enrollment.  A final, official high school transcript conferring the diploma will suffice for this purpose.

    Test-Optional Policy
    Effective for first-year students applying fall 2018 and beyond, Worcester State University will no longer require the submission of SAT or ACT scores. By eliminating test scores, we support closing the “entrance” achievement gap for those applicants typically at a greater disadvantage. Our focus in making admission decisions for first-year applicants will be on academic work and grade point average in high school, which our research shows is a better predictor for academic success.

    Learn More
    Additional Information

    Students with a Documented Learning Disability
    Students with a documented learning disability do not have to take tests such as the SAT or ACT for admission to Worcester State. However, they must submit educational testing and assessment completed within the last three years and a copy of the IEP. Students with learning disabilities must still complete the required 16 college prep units with a minimum re-calculated GPA of 3.0. First-year student applicants with a language-based learning disability may substitute two alternate college prep electives for the foreign language course requirements. Applicants on a 504 must meet all Department of Higher Education requirements.

    Student Accessibility Services
     
    English as a Second Language (ESL) Students
    English as a Second Language (ESL) applicants must complete the 16 required college preparatory courses with two exceptions:

    1. ESL applicants may substitute up to two college preparatory electives for the two required foreign language courses and
    2. ESL applicants may substitute up to two years of college preparatory ESL English courses for college preparatory English courses.
        

    Vocational-Technical Students
    Vocational-technical students must complete 16 college preparatory courses, distributed in the same manner and with the same minimum grade point averages required of other high school graduates, with the following exceptions:

    • Two vocational-technical courses may be used to fulfill the 2 required electives.
    • Vocational-technical high school graduates who do not complete the 2 required college preparatory foreign language courses must complete an additional elective college preparatory course for a total of three such courses, and satisfy 1 of the following options:

    • Complete at least one Carnegie unit of foreign language
    • Complete a fourth Carnegie unit of mathematics or science, which need not be a laboratory course
    • Complete one Carnegie unit of computer science

    Note: A Carnegie unit represents a full academic year of study or its equivalent in a specific subject.

    This requirement will remain in effect until the Department of Education implements its requirements regarding foreign language study for vocational-technical students. At that time, vocational-technical applicants for admission to Worcester State University will be required to meet DOE requirements for foreign language study.

    Non-Traditional Applicants
    Students applying for admission more than three years after high school graduation, or who have completed the GED and whose high school class graduated three or more years prior to applying to college, must show their ability to succeed in college based upon their high school and/or college transcripts. Some campuses may consider standardized test scores and other factors as part of the admissions process for non-traditional applicants. Students who drop out of high school, earn a GED, and apply to college within three years of when their high school class graduated is subject to the same admissions standards as students applying within three years of graduation from high school.