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Salem State College has a commitment to academic excellence and a continuing concern to provide access to a four-year baccalaureate program for a broad range of students. All applicants are carefully evaluated to be sure their previous academic preparation and scholastic achievement indicates the capacity and motivation to produce the quality of scholastic work that Salem State has established as its standard of achievement. The following admissions standards have been developed by The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to ensure that the College remains an institution of high academic quality.
Please be advised that the minimum admissions standards do not guarantee admission to the college and Salem State College reserves the right to set higher standards. Many of our academic programs are competitive and require the completion of more academic course work, as well as higher GPAs and test scores. For complete information on current admissions procedures, please visit salemstate.edu/admissions.
Some programs require additional materials before admission. Art + Design requires a portfolio before admission the to BA program; Music requires an audition prior to admission to the BA program. Theatre requires an audition and/or portfolios before admission to the BFA program. Check the relevant department pages for specific admission requirements.
Freshman Admissions
Admissions Requirements
Applicants should have a secondary high school transcript which includes a broad distribution of college preparatory courses. Students must complete a minimum of 16 academic units. The units must include four years/units of English; three years/units of mathematics, which included Algebra 1 and 2, and Geometry, three years/units of science, which two years must be laboratory science; two years/units of social science, one of which must be US History, two years of the same foreign language and two additional units from the academic areas listed above.
Students are reviewed based on their secondary high school grade point average and their standardized test scores (SATs and/or ACTs). A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in college preparatory course work at the end of the seventh semester will be required. Honors and advanced placement level course will be given extra weight. For students whose grade point average fall below 3.0, a sliding scale is available on the college admissions website.
Students in the graduating class of 2003 and thereafter, who attended public school in Massachusetts must satisfy the MCAS tests.
Non-Traditional Freshman Requirements
G.E.D. students and students who graduated from high school more than three years before applying to college are reviewed based on their secondary high school transcript and/or GED scores, as well as a resume and letter of academic intent.
Students Whose Special Needs Have Been Identified By Means Of Assessments Prescribed By Chapter 766
Students with documented learning disabilities must meet the minimum GPA of 3.0 and/or present other academic evidence of success; however they may be exempted from taking standardized college entrance aptitude test. Students must submit a complete copy of the Individualized Education Plan, including a psycho-educational evaluation. Evaluations should include information on the student’s intellectual functions, processing abilities, and achievement.
Freshman Application Requirements
All freshman application requirements including but not limited to deadlines, application costs, special admissions requirements and online application procedures are on line at salemstate.edu/admissions. Back to Top
Transfer Admissions
Salem State College welcomes approximately 1000 transfer students each year. Transfer students represent various community colleges, two-year private colleges and four-year public and private colleges and universities. Our goal is to provide a barrier free transition and we strive to accommodate students’ individual needs. For information on transfer opportunities and the transfer of credit at Salem State College, please see the Transfer Services section of the catalog.
Transfer Admissions Requirements
Transfer applicants should have completed a broad distribution of college level courses with a GPA that meets the minimum admissions requirements. In general, a student who completes 12 to 23 transferable college credits must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5; a student who completes up to23 transferable college credits with a grade point average of 2.0 must also meet the minimum admission requirements for freshman applicants; lastly a student with 24 or more transferable college credits must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Please be advised that the minimum requirements do not guarantee admission to the College. Many of our academic programs are competitive and require the completion of more academic course work, as well as higher GPAs.
Transfer Application Procedures
All transfer application requirements including but not limited to deadlines, application costs, special admissions requirements and online application procedures are online at salemstate.edu/admissions. Back to top
International Students
Salem State students come from 70 different countries and the college provides a friendly environment for international students. The Center for International Education offers services such as: immigration advising, housing, ESL, TOEFL, academic advising, counseling and airport pick up for first time arrivals. In general, an international student must have the financing to support their education for the usual nine-month academic year. No financial aid assistance can be provided by the College. International students must submit official copies of academic credentials in English and a complete listing of the funds that are available for each year to the student’s education in the United States which must be verified by a banking official. All admissions information is available at salemstate.edu/admissions.
International Freshman Student Requirements
International students must be graduates of secondary schools in their own countries and must be fully competent in the English Language—listening, reading, writing, speaking, as well as all major academic disciplines. International students should have the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA and complete a variety of academic courses. International freshman applicants must submit the SAT or ACT, in addition the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of those students whose native language is not English.
International Transfer Student Requirements
International students must be graduates of secondary schools in their own countries and must be fully competent in the English Language—listening, reading, writing, speaking, as well as all major academic disciplines. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of those students whose native language is not English. Students must submit official college transcripts, and an official translation if the language is not English. In addition, all international academic transcripts require evaluation from a professional evaluation service. There are many evaluation services available however; most students applying to Salem State College contact The Center for Educational Documentation at www.cedevaluations.com or World Educational Services at www.wes.org. Back to Top
Readmit Applicant Requirements
Students who previously attended Salem State College, and did not attend another college after departing, are considered readmits. Readmit students should submit a resume or work history, which is required, if no courses have been taken within three years and a resume or work history or a letter of petition is required if your Salem State grade point average was below a 2.5. Students who took college courses after leaving Salem State College should follow the application procedures for transfer students. Students returning from an approved Leave of Absence must confer with the Registrar concerning re-entry. Current information on admissions application procedures can be found at salemstate.edu/admissions.
Readmit Application Procedures (for the semester immediately following academic dismissal)
Students who have been academically dismissed from the College and wish to appeal this decision for admission for the semester following the academic dismissal should contact the Selective Retention Committee, in care of the Registrar’s Office. Please see the catalog section on Academic Status and Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy in the Academic Policies section of the catalog. Back to Top
Evening Division Requirements
Applicants wishing to be candidates for undergraduate degrees through late afternoon and evening study in the College’s Evening Division follow the same application procedures as described for Day College applicants.
Admissions Application Fees
The online application fee is $30 and a hard copy application is $50. The application fee may be waived for those applicants with extreme financial need who have submitted a fee waiver provided by the CollegeBoard. The admissions application fees are set by the college and are subject to change.
Admissions and Housing Deposit Fees
A $225 non-refundable tuition deposit to be paid when the day student notifies the College that its offer of admission is accepted. This deposit will be deducted from the tuition charges if the student enrolls. A $225 non-refundable residence hall deposit paid by students who are accepted as resident students. This deposit will be deducted from the residence hall fee if the student enrolls.
Applicant’s Reply Options
If Admission is offered on or before April 1 for entrance in September, applicants must inform the college that the offer of admission and housing (if offered) is accepted and pay all required deposits by May 1, thereby confirming admission. If a student is offered admission after April 1 for entrance in September, applicants must inform the college that the offer of admission and housing (if offered) is accepted and pay required deposits within 30 days, thereby confirming admission. If Admission is offered for entrance in January, applicants must inform the college that the offer of admission and housing (if offered) is accepted and pay all required deposits within 30 days, thereby confirming admission.
If students do not inform the college within the required time period the offer of admission and housing (if offered) will be rescinded. Back to Top
Physical Examination
Students entering the College for the first time, and those returning after an absence of two semesters or more, are required to present current health information on a health examination and history form provided by the College. This examination must indicate that the student is physically capable of undertaking the program of studies for which he or she has been admitted. The examination form will be sent after admission has been granted. This form must be completed by a physician and returned to Salem State College Health Services. Students who fail to comply with this condition of admission will not be permitted to register for courses. |
