Admission Requirements

Academic Coursework

First-time freshman applicants must successfully complete the following high school courses.

• 4 units of English
  • Must include Grammar, Composition, and Literature
• 3 units of college preparatory Mathematics
  • Minimum requirements include Algebra I and II. Higher-level math courses are encouraged.
  • West Virginia course equivalencies include a series of Math I, II, and III.
• 4 units of Social Studies/Fine Arts
  • Any combination of Social Studies, Fine Arts, or Humanities will fulfill the requirement. The combination must include U.S. History.
• 3 units of Science
  • Recommended units include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, and Environmental Science.
• 2 units of the same World Language or American Sign Language/ASL
  • We recognize that some high schools do not require world languages to graduate, offer them exclusively as an elective, or are unable to provide access to instruction. In most instances, students who do not meet the 2-unit requirement are eligible for an exception provided that they meet all other 9-12 grade coursework as outlined above and GPA benchmarks.

Exceptions to these requirements may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Test-Optional Admission

Test-optional admission permits applicants to apply without an ACT or SAT score. We encourage students to submit scores if available. However, our no-harm policy means that you can be confident scores will only be used if to your advantage. This includes eligibility for admission to the University, the Honors College, and automatically awarded merit scholarships.

Select majors are competitive and have limited space. Please refer to the college and program admissions requirements section for GPA and/or test score requirements. We will automatically evaluate all applicants, regardless of major, for the Center for Learning, Advising, and Student Success (CLASS).

All first-time admitted students are automatically reviewed for merit scholarships. WVU’s merit deadline for first-time freshmen, without exception, is August 1 for fall semester admission (January 2 for spring semester admission). Admitted students may submit updated test scores and GPA calculations until the merit deadline. Changes are not automatic for GPA edits. Students must request a review of new credentials by requesting a GPA update. Test scores are automatically updated if received by August 1 for fall semester admission (January 2 for spring) via official score report or from the testing center.

Deadline for GPA Adjustments

College and Program Admission Requirements for First-Time Freshmen

Some colleges and programs have specific admissions criteria or may reach capacity early in the admissions cycle. Please refer to the college and program admissions requirements below.

HiSET as Credit Recovery for West Virginia High School Students

The Options Pathway Programs offered to students in the state of West Virginia may not meet requirements for admission to WVU.

• WVU requires students to meet 9-12 grade core curriculum requirements to be admissible to the Morgantown Campus. Applicants who do not meet those requirements are referred to a WVU System divisional campus or will be ineligible for admission.
• Students enrolled in the Options Pathway (formerly Option 1) or the HSEA Opportunity (formerly Option 3) should contact the Office of Admissions in advance to confirm they meet application requirements. A personal statement explaining your motivation for enrolling in the program is required.
• Students enrolled in HSEA Credit Recovery (formerly Option 2) are eligible to apply to the Morgantown Campus. All 9-12 grade core requirements. Only the HiSET exam can replace a singular core requirement.
• Test-optional applicants are considered, but we strongly recommend submitting an ACT or SAT score.

Your high school must use the same guidelines for issuing grades as with other credit recovery programs. If using TASC or GED score ranges, WVU will convert to a letter grade using the scale below. Official standardized test scores, ACT and/or SAT, are also required.