Nonresident (First-Year)

High School Seniors (Accredited)

As a current high school senior attending a high school accredited by an accrediting association recognized by Boise State, you will be considered for admission based on your cumulative unweighted high school GPA.  Test scores will not be used, and are not required, in the admission review process. Applicants not meeting the minimum GPA requirements may be asked to provide additional materials, and/or may be denied admission to Boise State.

If you have already graduated from an accredited high school you will find your admission standards on the High School Graduates (Accredited) tab. If you have already graduated from a high school that is not accredited you will find your admissions requirements on the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

How to Apply

• Application for admission
• Nonrefundable Application Fee or approved App Fee Waiver
• Official high school transcript

Unaccredited High School: Students who have attended or are currently attending a high school not accredited by a recognized accrediting association are required to meet the admission requirements listed on the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

Nonresident Admission Standards for High School Students:

Unweighted GPA: Boise State Admissions uses your cumulative, unweighted high school GPA when considering you for admission. Your GPA will be calculated using a 4.0 (unweighted) scale if the weight of your GPA is unclear, and/or when your coursework is across two or more high school transcripts. The Admissions GPA calculation may not follow your high school’s grading scale/system and will include +/- grades, except when the grade is above a 4.0. Grade replacements are not included in GPA calculations done by the Admissions Office.

3.00 – 4.00 GPA: You meet Boise State’s automatic admission standards and will be admitted once all the above required items have been received and reviewed.

2.80 – 2.99 GPA: Highly considered for admission. No additional items needed at this time.

2.60 – 2.79 GPA: Your application will receive a more holistic review after you have submitted a high school 7th-semester transcript and a personal statement (see prompt below). You will receive an admission decision in early March, provided the following materials are received by Boise State Admissions by February 15. Holistic Review decisions are released three to four weeks after all items are received for Spring semester applicants.

• High school 7th-semester transcript: We need your high school transcript showing grades from the first semester (quarter) of your senior year.
• Personal Statement Prompt: ​In 500 words or less, tell us about any significant academic challenges you have faced and the steps you’ve taken to overcome them. Be sure to mention any specific goals or aspirations you have for your Boise State education. Information about your life outside of the classroom is also helpful to include. You can provide examples of involvement such as co-curricular activities, employment, leadership roles, family responsibilities, or other experiences that showcase your academic readiness.
• Letters of Recommendation (Optional): If you do not meet automatic admission standards, you are encouraged to submit up to two letters of recommendation along with a personal statement and 7th semester transcript. We recommend you choose academic sources who can speak to your academic ability and motivation.

0.00 – 2.59 GPA: You do not qualify for admission to Boise State University. We encourage you to consider attending a community college or other institution and applying to Boise State for a future semester as a transfer student.

Please Note: Students who have attended or are currently attending a high school not accredited by a recognized accrediting association are required to meet the admission requirements listed on the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

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High School Graduates (Accredited)

As a high school graduate from a high school accredited by an accrediting association recognized by Boise State, you will be considered for admission based on your cumulative unweighted high school GPA. Test scores are not required and will not be used in the admission review process. Applicants not meeting the automatic admission standards may be asked to provide additional materials, and/or may be denied admission to Boise State. Please refer to the “High School Seniors” tab if you are applying for the fall semester immediately following the summer months in which you graduated from high school.

If you are a current high school senior attending an accredited high school, or if you are applying for the fall semester immediately following the summer months in which you graduated from an accredited high school, you will find your admission standards on the High School Seniors (Accredited) tab. If you are currently attending a high school that is not accredited, please go to the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

How to Apply

• Application for admission
• Nonrefundable Application Fee or approved App Fee Waiver
• Official high school transcript
• Official college transcripts from each college attended after high school (if applicable).

Unaccredited High School: Students who have attended or are currently attending a high school not accredited by a recognized accrediting association are required to meet the admission requirements listed on the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

Admission Standards for High School Graduates:

Unweighted GPA: Boise State Admissions uses your cumulative, unweighted high school GPA when considering you for admission. Your GPA will be calculated using a 4.0 (unweighted) scale if the weight of your GPA is unclear, and/or when your coursework is across two or more high school transcripts. The Admissions GPA calculation may not follow your high school’s grading scale/system and will include +/- grades, except when the grade is above a 4.0. Grade replacements are not included in GPA calculations done by the Admissions Office.

3.00 – 4.00 GPA: You meet Boise State’s admission standards and will be admitted once all the above required items have been received and reviewed.

2.80 – 2.99 GPA: Highly considered for admission. No additional items needed at this time.

2.00 – 2.79 GPA: Your application will receive a more holistic review after you have submitted a personal statement using the following prompt.

• Personal Statement Prompt: ​In 500 words or less, tell us about any significant academic challenges you have faced and the steps you’ve taken to overcome them. Be sure to mention any specific goals or aspirations you have for your Boise State education. Information about your life outside of the classroom is also helpful to include, especially for those who have been out of school for a while. You can provide examples of involvement such as co-curricular activities, employment, leadership roles, family responsibilities, or other experiences that showcase your academic readiness.
• Letters of Recommendation (Optional): If you do not meet automatic admission standards, you are encouraged to submit up to two letters of recommendation along with a personal statement and 7th semester transcript. We recommend you choose academic sources who can speak to your academic ability and motivation.

0.00 – 1.99 GPA: You do not qualify for admission to Boise State University. We encourage you to consider attending a community college or other institution and applying to Boise State for a future semester as a transfer student.

Please note: Students who have attended or are currently attending a high school not accredited by a recognized accrediting association are required to meet the admission requirements listed on the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

Apply Now

GED/HiSET Students

GED and HiSET recipients who meet Boise State’s admission standards (see below) will be automatically admitted upon the submission of their application, official GED or HiSET scores, and official college transcripts (if applicable). Applicants who do not meet the listed admission standards will be considered for admission based on a holistic review using additional information to assess your academic preparation for college-level coursework and your potential for success at Boise State University. See Holistic Review section below for details. High school equivalency exams from individual states are not accepted for admission purposes.

How to Apply

• Application for admission
• Nonrefundable Application Fee or approved App Fee Waiver
• GED official transcript or official HiSET certificate
• Official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended
• Personal Statement: ​In 500 words or less, tell us about any significant academic challenges you have faced and the steps you’ve taken to overcome them. Be sure to mention any specific goals or aspirations you have for your Boise State education. Information about your life outside of the classroom is also helpful to include, especially for those who have been out of school for a while. You can provide examples of involvement such as co-curricular activities, employment, leadership roles, family responsibilities, or other experiences that showcase your academic readiness.
• Two letters of recommendation

GED/HiSET Automatic Admission Standards

GED Recipients: If you have completed your GED after 2014, and scored a 160 or higher on each section of the exam you will be automatically admitted to Boise State upon the submission of your application, official GED scores, and college transcripts from each institution you have attended (if applicable).

HiSET Recipients: If you have earned a HiSET and scored a 15 or higher one each one of the subtests you will be automatically admitted to Boise State upon the submission of your application, official HiSET scores, and college transcripts from each institution you have attended (if applicable).

GED and HiSET Holistic Review

If one of your section scores does not meet this requirement or if you earned your GED prior to 2014, the following additional items will be required before making an admission decision:

• Personal Statement (please use the below prompt)
• Two letters of recommendation

Personal Statement: ​In 500 words or less, tell us about any significant academic challenges you have faced and the steps you’ve taken to overcome them. Be sure to mention any specific goals or aspirations you have for your Boise State education. Information about your life outside of the classroom is also helpful to include, especially for those who have been out of school for a while. You can provide examples of involvement such as co-curricular activities, employment, leadership roles, family responsibilities, or other experiences that showcase your academic readiness.

Please do not submit more than two letters of recommendation; we recommend you choose academic sources who can speak to your academic ability and motivation.

Scholarship Consideration

Students who have earned a GED will be reviewed holistically by the Scholarship Committee for scholarship consideration.

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Homeschool/Unaccredited High School

Homeschool students and students attending a high school that is not accredited by an accrediting association recognized by Boise State will be considered for admission based on a holistic review of the below required materials. The holistic review will assess your academic preparation for college-level coursework and your potential for success at Boise State University.

How to Apply

• Application for admission
• Nonrefundable Application Fee or approved App Fee Waiver
• Homeschool or unaccredited high school transcript.
• Official ACT or SAT test scores (if under 21)

• Official transcripts from each regionally accredited high school attended (if applicable).

• Personal Statement: ​In 500 words or less, tell us about any significant academic challenges you have faced and the steps you’ve taken to overcome them. Be sure to mention any specific goals or aspirations you have for your Boise State education. Information about your life outside of the classroom is also helpful to include, especially for those who have been out of school for a while. You can provide examples of involvement such as co-curricular activities, employment, leadership roles, family responsibilities, or other experiences that showcase your academic readiness.
• Two letters of recommendation: Please do not submit more than two letters of recommendation; we recommend you choose academic sources who can speak to your academic ability and motivation.

Scholarships for Homeschooled Students

Unweighted high school GPA is used for all incoming applicants from regionally accredited high schools for both Boise State admission and scholarship awards. Students with a homeschool curriculum will be reviewed holistically by the Scholarship Committee. All required admission and scholarship materials for new students must be received by Boise State Admissions by the December 15 Nonresident Application and Scholarship Priority Deadline. Scholarship award notifications will arrive within three weeks of a student’s admission to Boise State University.

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