Idaho Residents

With more than 200 areas of study to choose from, the designation as a Carnegie doctoral research university, and an ideal location in the heart of the state capital, there’s no better place to start your college adventure than at Boise State.

When you can float down the river and finish in four years. You don’t just go to Boise State. You begin an adventure.

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Idaho Residents

The following admission standards are for students applying to a semester that starts in 2021 (e.g. Spring, Summer, Fall 2021). If you are a Fall 2020 applicant please reference Chapter 3 of the 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog for the admission requirements applicable to you.

As a current high school senior attending a regionally accredited high school you will be considered for admission according to 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 minimum GPA requirements may be asked to provide additional materials, and/or may be denied admission to Boise State.

How to Apply

- State of Idaho’s Apply Idaho application* – OR – Boise State’s application
- Official high school transcript*

*Apply Idaho applicants are not required to submit a high school transcript unless requested.

Admission Standards for Idaho High School Students:

Boise State Admissions uses the cumulative, unweighted high school GPA when considering students for admission.

2.80 – 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.

2.50 – 2.79 GPA: Your application will receive a more holistic review in after you have submitted two additional items:

- 7th-semester transcript showing grades from the first semester or quarter of your senior year
- Personal statement responding to the prompt below

Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, tell us about the goals you’ve set for yourself as a student at Boise State University. Please also let us know about any challenges you’ve overcome, either personally or academically, that may have impacted your academic performance.

Letters of Recommendation: Students attending regionally-accredited high schools are not required to submit letters of recommendation. However, letters of recommendation will be reviewed if submitted. If you choose to submit letters of recommendation, please do not submit more than two. We recommend you choose academic sources who can speak to your academic ability and motivation. Students receiving this more holistic review for fall admission will receive an admission decision in early March, provided all materials were received by Boise State Admissions by February 15. Please note: Students who do not attend regionally-accredited high schools are required to submit two letters of recommendation.

0.00 – 2.49 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.

As an Idaho high school graduate you will be considered for admission according to 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.

How to Apply

- Application for admission
- Official high school transcript
- Official college transcripts from each college attended after high school (if applicable).

Admission Standards for High School Graduates:

Boise State Admissions uses the cumulative, unweighted high school GPA when considering students for admission.

2.80 – 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.

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

Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, tell us about the goals you’ve set for yourself as a student at Boise State University. If you aren’t meeting the standards for automatic admission, please also let us know about any challenges you’ve overcome, either personally or academically, that may have impacted your academic performance.

Letters of Recommendation: Students who have graduated from regionally-accredited high schools are not required to submit letters of recommendation. However, letters of recommendation will be reviewed if submitted. If you choose to submit letters of recommendation, please do not submit more than two. We recommend you choose academic sources who can speak to your academic ability and motivation. Please note: Students who do not attend regionally-accredited high schools are required to submit two letters of recommendation.

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.

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 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. High school equivalency exams from individual states are not accepted for admission purposes.

How to Apply

- Application for admission
- 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 the goals you’ve set yourself as a student at Boise State University. Please also let us know about any challenges you’ve overcome, either personally or academically, that may have impacted your academic performance.
- Two letters of recommendation

GED/HiSET Automatic Admission Standards

GED Recipients: If you have completed your GED after 2014, and scored a 170 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). A personal statement and letters of recommendation are not required for students meeting automatic admission standards.

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 the goals you’ve set yourself as a student at Boise State University. Please also let us know about any challenges you’ve overcome, either personally or academically, that may have impacted your academic performance.

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.

Homeschool students and students attending a high school that is not regionally accredited 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
- Homeschool or unaccredited high school transcript.
- Official transcripts from each regionally accredited high school attended (if applicable).
- Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, tell us about the goals you’ve set yourself as a student at Boise State University. Please also let us know about any challenges you’ve overcome, either personally or academically, that may have impacted your academic performance.
- 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 May 1 Resident Application and Scholarship Priority Deadline. Scholarship award notifications will arrive within three weeks of a student’s admission to Boise State University.