Admission Requirements and Regulations

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Admission Requirements—Freshman Student
• Admission Requirements—Transfer Student
• Admission Requirements-Former ISU Student
• Admission Requirement-Non-degree Student
• General Policy

Indiana State University, in affirming its commitment to excellence, recognizes the value of a student population reflecting academic achievement, cultural diversity, and special talents. The primary criterion for admission is evidence that a candidate is prepared to succeed in an academic program.

All application reviews and admission decisions are made by the Office of Admissions. Applicants for admission must meet all other university requirements. Applicants may seek exceptions to any of the admission requirements or appeal a denial of admission by petitioning the Admissions Committee. The process for appeals will be determined by the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management.

Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a given academic program or enrollment in specific courses.  Omissions or misrepresentations on an application for admission may be grounds for invalidating the admission application and preventing admission to Indiana State University.

Indiana State University’s Strategic Enrollment Management Council influences admission priorities and goals; therefore, admission requirements are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

A freshman, or first-time, undergraduate applicant is defined as a student that has not earned college-level credits after high school graduation or equivalent.

1. Academic Achievement. Freshmen applicants are expected to complete a rigorous college preparatory curriculum (Core 40 curriculum for Indiana residents) and maintain a competitive grade point of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. 

2. Program Specific Requirements. Some Indiana State University programs require higher standards and/or additional requirements for admission. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a given academic program or enrollment in specific courses. 

3. Required Application and Payment. An electronic application and non-refundable application processing fee must be submitted for admission consideration.

4. Required Transcripts. Applicants for admission must submit official transcripts from all high school and post-secondary institutions at which course work has been attempted and/or credentials have been earned.

5. Test Scores. Standardized test scores (SAT and ACT) are not required for undergraduate applicants. The SAT and ACT are still required for certain merit-based scholarships.  

6. International-Only Requirements.  Due to the variety of educational systems throughout the world, there are broad admission requirements for international students. An affidavit of financial support and original current bank statement, acceptable scores on university-recognized English Language Proficiency exams, and passport copy are required documents for admission. 

Early application is encouraged for scholarship consideration.

 A transfer applicant is defined as an undergraduate student who has earned college credit after high school graduation or equivalent. If a student has earned fewer than 12 college-level credits, the student must meet the freshman applicant criteria. 

1. Academic Achievement. Transfer applicants for admission should be in good academic standing at the last accredited institution attended and have earned at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in all college-level studies. 

2. Program Specific Requirements. Some Indiana State University programs require higher standards and/or additional requirements for admission. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to a given academic program or enrollment in specific courses. 

3. Required Application and Payment. An electronic application and non-refundable application processing fee must be submitted for admission consideration.

4. Required Transcripts. Applicants for admission must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions at which course work has been attempted and credentials have been earned. 

5. International-Only Requirements.  Because of the variety of educational systems throughout the world, there are broad admission requirements for international students. An affidavit of financial support and original current bank statement, acceptable scores on university-recognized English Language Proficiency exams, and passport copy are required documents for admission.

Former Indiana State University students who have interrupted their studies for more than two calendar years must apply for readmission.

1. Required Application. An electronic application must be submitted for admission consideration. 

2. Required Transcripts. Applicants for readmission must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions at which course work has been attempted and/or credentials have been earned.

Unconditional Readmission is for applicants who have maintained at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average at the other institutions and left Indiana State University in good academic standing. 

Readmission on Probation is for applicants who were academically dismissed from Indiana State University. No student may be readmitted if academically dismissed three times at Indiana State University. Students readmitted on academic probation are expected to earn the required minimum grade point average in their first return or are subject to academic dismissal.   

 Indiana State University welcomes those who wish to enroll without intending to pursue a degree program. Non-degree admission is for applicants who wish to enroll in undergraduate courses pertaining to their personal interest, continuing education and licensure needs, and other credentials that do not intend to work toward a formal undergraduate degree at Indiana State University. ISU does not issue visas for non-degree students.

1. Academic Achievement. Applicants should have sufficient educational background to qualify for the courses or courses in which enrollment is sought.

2. Required Application and Payment. An electronic application and non-refundable application processing fee must be submitted for admission consideration.

3. International-Only Requirements. International applicants whose native language is not English must provide acceptable scores on university-recognized English Language Proficiency exams and a passport copy. 

4. Non-degree Admission Restrictions. Acceptance in this category does not constitute acceptance to a degree-granting program at Indiana State University; credits earned as a non-degree student may or may not be applicable to a specific degree program at Indiana State University.