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Salem State University 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 ensure that 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 University remains an institution of high academic quality.
Please be advised that the minimum admissions standards do not guarantee admission to Salem State University and we 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 to the 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 academic pages for specific admission requirements.
Freshman Admissions
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must have a secondary high school transcript which includes a broad distribution of college preparatory courses. Students are required to complete a minimum of 16 academic units, which 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, of 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 recalculated 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 courses will be given extra weight. For students whose grade point averages fall below 3.0, a sliding scale is used for evaluation. This is available on the University admissions website.
Students who graduated from a Massachusetts public high school 2003 and after must satisfy the MCAS tests. Additional requirements may be needed. Please check the website for detailed requirements.
Early Action
Freshmen Applicants Only
To apply as an early action applicant you must apply to the University and have taken the SAT or ACT before the November test dates. A student’s complete application must be submitted by the deadline which is available on the website at salemstate.edu/admissions.
Three Year Completion Programs
Freshman Applicants Only
Applicants must have a strong academic record as demonstrated by a high school grade point average and SAT/ACT scores.
Academic majors in the three year track include History, Political Science, Criminal Justice (Administration concentration only), Mathematics, Economics, Spanish (for native speakers or others with advanced standing), and certain concentrations in Business.
In addition to the freshmen application requirements, applicants must submit a personal statement addressing their reason for applying and commitment to completing the three year bachelor degree program.
Non-Traditional Freshman Requirements
GED students and students who graduated from high school more than three years before applying to the University 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 have completed the required 16 academic units. Some students may request to be exempted from taking standardized college entrance aptitude tests (SAT/ACT) and/or from completing the foreign language requirements.
If a request is made to be waived from standardized testing, the applicant must submit to the University the high school results of a psycho-educational evaluation completed within the past three years that provides a specific diagnosis of a learning disability.
If a request is made to be waived from the foreign language, an applicant may substitute two college preparatory electives for the required two years of the same foreign language only if the applicant has submitted to the University the high school results of a psycho-eduational evaluation completed within the past three years that provides a specific diagnosis of a learning disability which states the inability to succeed in a foreign language.
The Individualized Education Plan must include a psycho-educational evaluation and 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 online at salemstate.edu/admissions. Back to Top
Transfer Admissions
Salem State University 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 University, 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 admission 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 to 23 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 University. Many of our academic programs are competitive and require the completion of more academic course work, as well as higher GPAs. These listed admissions standards are informational only.
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 University 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 University. 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 university 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 University contact The Center for Educational Documentation at www.cedevaluations.com or World Educational Services at www.wes.org. Transfer students who have successfully completed Composition 1 and 2 at an accedited college or university in the United States may not have to complete the TOEFL. Back to Top
Readmit Applicant Requirements
Students who previously attended Salem State University, and did not attend another college or university 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 University 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 University 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 University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, or evening division, follow the same application procedures as described for day division applicants. Back to Top
Admissions Application Fees
The online application fee is $35 and the hard-copy application fee is $75. 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 University and are subject to change. Back to Top
Admissions and Housing Deposit Fees
A non-refundable tuition deposit is to be paid when a day division student notifies the Univerity that its offer of admission is accepted. This deposit will be deducted from the tuition charges if the student enrolls. A non-refundable residence hall deposit is to be paid by students who are accepted as resident students. This deposit will be deducted from the residence hall fee if the student establishes residence on campus. Information is provided at the time of acceptance to the University. Back to Top
Applicant’s Reply Options
If admission is offered on or before April 1 for entrance in September, applicants must inform the University 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 University that the offer of admission and housing (if offered) is accepted and pay all required non-refundable deposits within 30 days, thereby confirming admission. If admission is offered for entrance in January, applicants must inform the University that the offer of admission and housing (if offered) is accepted and pay all required non-refundable deposits within 30 days, thereby confirming admission.
If students do not inform the University within the required time period the offer of admission and housing (if offered) will be rescinded. Back to Top
Physical Examination
Students entering the University 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 University. 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 University Health Services. Students who fail to comply with this condition of admission will not be permitted to register for courses. Back to Top |
