Who is a Freshman Applicant?

A freshman applicant:

• Has not attended any post-secondary institution after high school graduation.
• Has attempted less than 12 college credits after high school graduation. 
• May have enrolled in college courses while in high school (dual enrollment), regardless of the numbers of credits attempted/completed.

Application Dates

Prospective freshmen can apply to be reviewed for the Spring or Fall 2021 semesters. The application is available online at www.esu.edu/apply. We recommend that you submit all application materials before winter break of your senior year.

Application Requirements and Review Process

For an admission decision to be made the following must be submitted:

• A complete online application
• A $25 application fee
• Official high school transcript¹
  
• Official college transcript (if applicable) 
• SAT and/or ACT test results²

Academic achievement is the primary factor considered in the selection process, through high school transcripts and standardized test results. Competitive applicants will have enrolled in a solid college preparatory curriculum, including at least:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of college preparatory Math to include Algebra 1, Geometry, & Algebra II; a math course of which Algebra II is a prerequisite is recommended for seniors
• 3 years of Science, to include Biology & Chemistry (with labs), and one inquiry-based science such as Physics, Environmental Science, or Earth Science
• 3 years of Social Studies such as Civics, U.S. History, World History, Geography, or Economics

¹  Only high school transcripts that are provided from the student's school counselor or another high school official will be considered official.  A copy of a transcript that the student is able to obtain can be submitted and used to begin the decision making process.  However, an official copy of the transcripts will still need to be provided to accompany the student's application and records.

²  Applicants who are admitted and choose to enroll will be required to submit their final official transcript(s) to verify that their information is correct and to confirm graduation.  All admission decisions are conditional upon successful completion of the final term(s)/year of enrollment.

³  ESU's admission process is test-optional. However, students are required to submit SAT and/or ACT scores if they are:  home schooled, a recruited student athlete, or are interested in select scholarships, the University Honors Program, or one of the following academic programs:  Biology: Pre-Medicine, Biology: Pre-Physical Therapy; Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant, Computer Science, Computer Security, Nursing. 

All applicants are encouraged to submit SAT and/or ACT scores for scholarship consideration. Additionally, standardized test scores are used to determine placement in English and Math courses. Many applicants offered admission should submit their test scores after having been offered admission.

Admission Notification

• Applicants will receive communication throughout the admission process via the email address they provided on the application.
• Applicants should keep their address updated with ESU and check their inbox and spam folders. Email any changes to admission@esu.edu with your full name and ESU issued ID number.
• Applications are reviewed beginning in September.  Admissions decisions may be communicated by email and/or postal mail.  Applicants can also check their status online for real-time updates. 
• Applicants to Nursing and other selective programs may receive an admission decision later in the admissions cycle. This process allows additional review time to determine the appropriate candidates for the limited seats in these programs.

Admission Presentations, Campus Tours, Open House Programs

ESU offers a variety of visit opportunities, both on weekdays and weekends throughout the year.  Open House programs are scheduled on select weekends. Campus Days are offered on specific days throughout the year. Registration for on campus visit experiences may be found at esu.edu/visit