Required Courses
To be considered for freshman admission, a student must successfully complete the following high school credits:
- 4 units of English (including grammar, composition, and literature)
- 4 units of college preparatory mathematics. Three units must be Algebra I and II and Plane Geometry. Students interested in majors that emphasize math and science are encouraged to take math beyond Algebra II (such as pre-Calc, Calculus, and Statistics).
- 3 units of social studies (including U.S. History)
- 3 units of science. All units must be laboratory science. Recommended units include: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, and Environmental Science.
- 2 units of the same foreign language. American Sign Language is acceptable for this requirement.
- 1 unit of fine arts. Recommended units include: Music, Band, Art, Theater, Dance, Drama, and Performance.
These requirements are in addition to the GPA and test score criteria needed to review the applications, as noted below under ACT/SAT and GPA Requirements.
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Transcripts
Don't forget: all applications must be accompanied by an official transcript. Send official transcripts of all of your previous schoolwork to WVU. You can send these with your application or have your high school send them separately. Also send official transcripts of any college work you have completed.
Send transcripts to:
WVU Admissions
PO Box 6009
Morgantown, WV 26506-6009
Fax: 304-293-8832
Essays and Recommendations
The WVU undergraduate admissions application does not include an essay. Recommendations are not required, but the admissions staff may request that you submit a recommendation if they need additional information. When you apply for some WVU scholarships and special programs, you may be asked to submit essays and/or recommendations.
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ACT/SAT and GPA Requirements
(meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission)
West Virginia residents must have at least a 2.0 grade-point average and either a composite ACT score of 19 or a combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 910.
Nonresidents must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average and either a composite ACT score of 21 or a combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 990.
Please note that WVU does not mix and match sub scores from different test dates for admissions and scholarship consideration. Only the best composite score is used in determining eligibility.
WVU does not require students to take the optional written component of the ACT examination.
Grade-point average (GPA) is based on information received from a student's high school transcript. The most recent cumulative GPA on the transcript is used when determining admission to the University. This is the same GPA used by the Undergraduate Scholarship Office when determining scholarship eligibility.
WVU reviews high school GPA based on a four-point grading scale. In most instances, WVU will consider weighted GPA when determining eligibility for admission and scholarships. WVU reserves the right to recalculate GPA when the weighted or non-weighted GPA falls outside of the four-point scale or in other instances where recalculation is deemed appropriate.
The Office of Admissions does not recalculate GPA for scholarship consideration after the initial high school transcript is received.
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Requirements for Specific Majors and Programs
Some colleges and programs within WVU have admission standards that exceed the minimum University admission requirements. Admission to the University does not ensure admission into a specific school, college, or program. Please review the Additional Requirements page for more information about college- or program-specific requirements.
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Freshman Class Profile
The average student enrolled in WVU's Fall 2011 freshman class had a 3.36 high school grade point average, a composite ACT score of 23.7, and/or SAT Math and Critical Reading score of 1055.
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GED Applicants
GED scores may be used for admission consideration. You need to submit an average standard score of 45 or above for consideration.
To determine the average standard GED score, please follow one of these two steps:
- For three-digit scores, divide by 5 to determine the average standard score.
- For four-digit scores, divide by 50 to determine the average standard score.
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