As a new freshman applicant to Youngstown State University, there are several resources that will help you while preparing to attend our college. To learn more about each, choose the dropdown areas below.
Check out our Admissions Viewbook for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) test to be considered for admission. Freshman applicants applying for admission to Youngstown State University must submit a high school transcript or GED transcript. Submission of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
Applicants must have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher, a core unweighted grade point average* of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher and have an ACT composite score of 17 or higher, or a SAT composite score of 920 or higher (evidence-base writing and reading and math) to be admitted unconditionally. (*Core gpa is calculated based on grades earned in the following courses - English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language, if applicable, from 9th through 12th grade).
Please note: When calculating the core gpa, advanced computer science is recognized as a unit toward meeting a mathematics or science requirement. Computer coding is recognized as a unit toward meeting a foreign lanauge requirement.
Test-Optional Admissions Policy – In the absence of a test score or score below 17 ACT composite/920 SAT composite, the Admissions Office will place more emphasis on academic performance in core curriculum in lieu of test scores. Core classes include English, math, science, social science and foreign language, if available. Students who are admitted through the test optional policy may be required to take placement tests prior to attending orientation for course placement. Please note: some majors offered at Youngstown State University require test scores to be admitted into the program.
Home-schooled applicants must meet the following criteria:
- An official transcript showing documentation of coursework completed of grades 9-12 and indicating date of completion of studies or graduation must be sent to Admissions.
- Submission of results from the ACT or SAT, is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
- A copy of academic assessment (i.e. Iowa Basic Skills Test, California Achievement Test, etc.) reports submitted to the appropriate superintendent of school pursuant to Section 3301-34-04 of the Ohio Administrative Code must be received by Admissions.
- A copy of the Superintendent's Exemption Notice showing the student is excused to receive home schooling.
- Home-schooled students from states other than Ohio must submit the appropriate documentation required for allowing home-schooling in their state, along with above criteria #1, and #2.
High School Transcripts:
Applicants must arrange to have their high schools send to the Office of Admissions a record of all work completed. Partial transcripts will be given consideration for early decisions. If the applicant's record clearly indicates satisfactory completion, notification of conditional acceptance will be made before high school graduation. Final high school transcripts showing a graduation date must be received prior to the first day of the semester in which the student is enrolled.
For complete Conditional Admission requirements, please review the New Freshman Applicants page in the Course Catalog.
- Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement Program (AP) Chart gives specific information about scores, credit, and placement recommendations.
If you are a high school student and you asked the College Board to send your scores to Youngstown State University, your scores will be evaluated when YSU receives the score report. You and your academic advisor will receive notification of credit several weeks later.
Please note: Credit is only posted once a student has enrolled at Youngstown State University.
Contact Information
If you did not ask the College Board to send your scores to YSU, you will need to contact the College Board directly. You can obtain reports by contacting:
AP Services
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
Phone: (609) 771-7300 or (888) 225-5427 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada)
Email: apexams@info.collegeboard.orgScore reports should be sent to:
Youngstown State University
Records Office
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555Credit earned for AP tests will be posted as transfer credit upon receipt of an official report sent from College Board. Eligibility for credit is considered only for those tests recognized by the departments at the time of matriculation.
- Student Orientation
After being admitted, it’s time to set up an orientation date! Orientation is a student-centered experience which will introduce you to our diverse campus life, connect you with new friends, and provide you with a strong foundation for academic success. During Orientation you'll meet faculty and staff who are here to support you during your transition into college. For more information regarding First Year Student Orientation, please visit the Orientation webpage.
- GED Students
A GED student is one who has successfully completed the Test of General Education Development (GED). GED students should submit the following in order to complete the application process:
- a completed Youngstown State admissions application and $45 application fee
- an official high school transcript (reflecting any completed coursework)
- official American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores must be submitted if you have been out of high school for less than two years or if required for entrance into a specific program
- a copy of the Official Report of Test Results mailed directly from the GED testing service to the Office of Admissions
You may write to the appropriate address below to request your GED test results:
OHIO GED Testing
Department of Education
65 S. Front Street, Room 812
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-4868 or 1-800-334-6679
($5 fee)PENNSYLVANIA Commonwealth
Diploma Program-Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17136-0333
(717) 787-6747
(No fee) - Required High School Courses for Admission
Courses that are expected to be completed prior to enrolling at YSU are as follows:
Students graduating from high school who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree should complete the following college preparatory units in order to receive unconditional admission status:
Required High School Courses - Course Units:
- English - 4 units
- Algebra I and II - 2 units
- Geometry - 1 unit
- Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics - 1 unit
- Other Science - 1 unit
- U.S. History - 1 unit
- U.S. Government - 1/2 unit
- Other Social Science - 1/2 unit
- Additional Science or Social Science - 1 unit
- Foreign Language* - 2 units
- Creative Arts and Communication - 1 unit
- Other Subjects - 1 unit
Total: 16 units
All high school deficiencies should be completed prior to the beginning of the junior year at Youngstown State.
The Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) program suggests a unit of mechanical drawing, a half unit of trigonometry, one unit of chemistry, and one unit of physics in addition to the above courses.
Students considering programs in computer science, physical sciences, and mathematics should take a fourth year of mathematics.
For the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree, applicants are expected to have proficiency in one or more branches of applied music. It is recommended that a student who is considering a voice major select French, German, or Italian when scheduling the high school foreign language requirement.
- Students in BS and AB degree programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences must satisfy a foreign language requirement for the degrees. Students in the BA and BM degree programs in the College of Creative Arts and Communication should consult with advisors in the College of Creative Arts and Communication.
- Students who wish to begin their college-level foreign language study with 2600 Intermediate or above MUST take the foreign language placement test (FLPT).
- Students who have had some high school or college-level language study may enroll in any 1550 Elementary foreign language course without taking the FLPT.
- Students with no high school or college-level study are to enroll in FNLG 1500, Introduction to Foreign Language Study, before enrolling in 1550 Elementary, or may take the FLPT to place into 1550 or 2600, if they learned the language outside of school.
- Students with AP credit in a foreign language have completed the requirement. Students with transfer credit for college foreign language courses may enroll in the next course in the sequence.
If a student has not completed the above requirements in high school, he or she will be required to complete the requirement at the university.