Undergraduate Admissions

Most successful applicants have had secondary school backgrounds that include a broad distribution of college prep courses. Also encouraged is exposure to the arts, humanities, computer science, and other disciplines.

Requirements

A minimum GPA and test score are required for admission.

Required 16 college prep units:

For students with a GPA below 3.0, this sliding scale will apply:

In addition to the above course, GPA, and test score requirements, beginning with the class of 2003 and thereafter, all graduates from Massachusetts public high schools must successfully pass the MCAS exam. Please note that these are minimum admissions standards. SSC reserves the right to set higher standards.

• An official transcript of the high school record through at least the first marking period of the senior year or a G.E.D. Massachusetts public high school graduates (2003 and thereafter) must show successful completion of the MCAS.
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) scores.
• Permanent residents must submit a copy of the front and back of their resident alien card.
• Applicants for the art major must submit to the Admissions Office 10-15 slides of original artwork or arrange for a personal interview with the Art Department. Slides should be placed in a clear plastic folder designed to hold slides. A self-addressed, stamped envelope should also be enclosed for the return of slides. For more information regarding the art portfolio, please call the Art Department at 978-542-6222 or e-mail a art@salemstate.edu.
• Applicants for the Music Major are required to perform an audition.
• Interviews: An interview is not required of applicants as a formal part of the admissions evaluation procedure, however, the Admissions Office may require an interview in special cases.
• To be considered for admission without meeting the sliding scale requirements, the minimum grade point average must be a 2.2.
• High school students who have been diagnosed as learning disabled are exempt from taking the SAT or ACT. Students seeking exemption should submit a copy of their individualized education plan (IEP) as well as all psychological-evaluations.
• Salem State College admits a limited number of students under the special admissions category. These spaces are typically given to students who have fulfilled all of the academic units but fall just shy of meeting the admissions requirements. If you are one of these students, we strongly recommend that you apply before the first of January.
• Laptop Computer Requirement

Admissions Application Deadlines

Our admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applications continue to increase. To insure that your application is considered for admission, we strongly recommend that you apply early.

Fall 2008

• We are accepting freshman and transfer applications for the fall 2008 semester. Please apply as soon as possible
• We are no longer accepting applications for the Undergraduate Day Nursing Program for Fall 2008. Please apply in October 2008 for January 2009.

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