Idaho Resident (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 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.

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 admission requirements on the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

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.

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 Idaho 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.

3.00 – 4.00 GPA, or ISAT (Idaho Standards Achievement Test) scores of at least 3 in both ELA and Math: You meet Boise State’s automatic admission standards and will be admitted once all the 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 the following prompt). 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 500–650 words, write a personal statement that responds to ALL parts below.
  • • Challenges – What challenges have you experienced, if any, that negatively impacted your academic performance? When did they occur? Focus on specific examples and include clear details whenever possible.
    • Actions Taken – Tell us about steps you took  to address these challenges.
    • Current Evidence of Readiness – What has changed to allow you to better focus on academics?  Provide specific habits, or improvements that have taken place to improve your academic readiness moving forward.
    • Goals – Why are you ready for Boise State now, and what are your goals as a Boise State student?
• 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 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. 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 (learn more) 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 by an accrediting association recognized by Boise State, you will find your admission requirements on the Homeschool/Unaccredited High School tab.

How to Apply

• Application for admission
• 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.

2.80 – 4.00 GPA: You meet Boise State’s automatic admission standards and will be admitted once all the 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 Prompt: In 500–650 words, write a personal statement that responds to ALL parts below.
  • • Challenges – What challenges have you experienced, if any, that negatively impacted your academic performance? When did they occur? Focus on specific examples and include clear details whenever possible.
    • Current Evidence of Readiness – What have you done since then (such as work, education, certifications, or personal responsibilities) that shows growth and academic motivation?
    • Goals – Why are you ready for Boise State now, and what are your goals as a Boise State student?
• 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 of the 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 500–650 words, write a personal statement that responds to ALL parts below.
  • • Challenges – What challenges have you experienced, if any, that negatively impacted your academic performance? When did they occur? Focus on specific examples and include clear details whenever possible.
    • Current Evidence of Readiness – What have you done since then (such as work, education, certifications, or personal responsibilities) that shows growth and academic motivation?
    • Goals – Why are you ready for Boise State now, and what are your goals as a Boise State student?
• 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). 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 following 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 what you have been up to (accomplishments, jobs, schooling, etc.) and be sure to include 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.

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 (learn more) 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
• 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 500–650 words, write a personal statement that responds to ALL parts below.
  • • Challenges – What challenges have you experienced, if any, that negatively impacted your academic performance? When did they occur? Focus on specific examples and include clear details whenever possible.
    • Actions Taken – Tell us about steps you took  to address these challenges.
    • Current Evidence of Readiness – What demonstrates that you are academically ready for college? If you have experienced academic challenges, describe what has changed to improve your academic readiness. If you have not experienced academic challenges, describe the habits, accomplishments, or experiences that best demonstrate your readiness for college. If you have already graduated from high school, include examples from work, education, certifications, or other experiences that show you are ready for Boise State University.
    • Goals – Why are you ready for Boise State now, and what are your goals as a Boise State student?
• 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 (learn more). 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 February 15 Resident 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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