Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

  1. Complete the application. A paper application is also available, and should be mailed to: Admissions Office, Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401. If you're apply for the Fall 2025 semester or beyond, the paper application will be available soon.
     
  2. Request an official transcript from your high school. To be considered official, they must be sent from your school counselor/official or requested through an electronic delivery service such as Parchment, Naviance, or SCOIR. Official copies can be directed to [email protected]u
     
  3. Consider sending your ACT or SAT test results. The decision to submit test scores will be left up to the applicant. All applicants admitted to GVSU by March 1 for a Fall start date will be considered for merit-based scholarships, regardless of whether or not test scores are submitted with the application. After admitted, you may continue to submit official test scores as a supplement to your application until July 31 for additional scholarship consideration. When you take the test, list Grand Valley as one of the recipients of your scores. GVSU's school code for the ACT is 2005 and for the SAT is 1258. If you are aiming for our top scholarships you must provide your test scores for consideration. Additionally, if you are seeking to showcase strong math proficiency we encourage you to submit your test scores. 

Additional Information:

 Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis once your file is complete. Grand Valley prides itself on quick response times on applications. You can expect to hear from Grand Valley within three weeks. If you have not received a confirmation within that time, contact the Admissions Office at (616) 331-2025 or toll free at (800) 748-0246.

The Admissions Office must receive your complete application at least 30 calendar days before the final day of registration for the semester in which you wish to enroll. However, admission to any semester is subject to earlier closing without notice.

All documents and supporting data required for admission become the property of Grand Valley State University and will not be returned to you.

Grand Valley grants admission to students who are prepared to meet the challenges of a rigorous university curriculum. Freshman applicants will be reviewed using a combination of high school courses completed, cumulative grade point average, standardized test scores, grade point trend, and other factors provided by the applicant.

Be sure to send your final high school transcript to the GVSU Admissions Office by June 30.

Students earning college credit or a post-secondary awards prior to graduating from high school or at the same time as high school graduation are considered a first-time student in the fall (freshman admission). This would include dual enrollment students and early/middle college students.

At Grand Valley, we are looking for students who are prepared to meet the challenges of a rigorous university curriculum. An admissions counselor carefully reviews each application and considers academic and other various criteria.

Applicants will be reviewed using a combination of:

  • High school courses completed
  • Cumulative grade point average
  • Standardized test scores (if submitted)
  • Grade point trend
  • Rank in class
  • Other factors provided by the applicant

A single deficiency in an academic area will not necessarily mean a student is refused admission. However, students who are missing a number of courses are at a disadvantage.

The middle 50 percent of admitted freshmen students scored between:

  • 3.2 and 3.9 high school grade point average
  • 20 and 27 ACT score
  • 970-1210 SAT score

Recommended, but not required, subject criteria in high school should include:

  • Four years of English, including composition
  • Three years of science, including two years of laboratory science
  • Three years of college preparatory mathematics
  • Three years of social science
  • Two years of a single foreign language

To be considered for admission, you must submit:

  • Completed undergraduate application for admission
  • Official high school transcript
  • Any necessary supporting documentation

Note: If you have attended an accredited institution of higher learning after high school, you are considered a transfer student.

1. Complete the application. A paper application is also available, and should be mailed to: Admissions Office, Grand Valley State University, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401. 

2. Official Transcripts. You must request that official transcripts be sent from each college attended (whether you earned credits or not) to the Admissions Office at Grand Valley. If you have completed fewer than 30 semester (or 45 quarter) hours of credit, you must request that an official high school transcript be sent to Grand Valley as well. Official transcripts can be directed to adm-[email protected].

3. Admission Notification. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis once your file is complete. Grand Valley prides itself on quick response times on applications. You can expect to hear from Grand Valley within three weeks. If you have not received a confirmation within that time, contact the Admissions Office at (616) 331-2025 or toll free at (800) 748-0246.

4. Application Filing Deadlines. The Admissions Office must receive your complete application at least 30 calendar days prior to the first day of classes before the final day of registration for the semester in which you wish to enroll.

5. All documents and supporting data required for admission become the property of Grand Valley State University and will not be returned to you.

6. Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). Students who attend a Michigan community college and complete the MTA or MACRAO agreement will have satisfied the Foundations categories of the General Education Program.

A transfer applicant with a 2.5 cumulative GPA or above with a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours who is eligible to re-enroll at the former institution will normally be admitted.

A transfer applicant with a 2.5 cumulative GPA or above with FEWER than 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours must also submit high school records. Admission evaluation will be made based on both the college record and the high school record, using the first year student admission requirements as stated in the section above.

Applications for admission must be complete at least 30 days before the final day of registration. However, admission to any semester is subject to earlier closing without notice.

If a student has earned college credit or a post-secondary award prior to the student graduating high school or at the same time as high school graduation, then the student would be considered a First Year Student in the Fall. This would include Dual Enrollment students and Early/Middle College students.

Dual enrollment is an opportunity for students to get started on their college coursework before graduating high school, which saves them time and money. To learn more about dual enrollment at GVSU visit dos5.net/dualenrollment.

 

Admissions Decisions

Grand Valley State University has a rolling admission policy and reviews applications and makes admission decisions as students’ files are completed. Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s coursework, grade point average, and any other supporting materials that may be included or requested. GVSU is test-optional for admissions. 


New Student Orientation

The Admissions Office will notify admitted students of upcoming Orientation sessions. Admitted freshman students must submit their enrollment/orientation fee by May 1 to guarantee a place in the freshman class. Transfer students will be required to attend orientation as well. Academic advising and registration occurs during Orientation. An introduction to Grand Valley will occur prior to the beginning of the semester for which a student will attend classes. These sessions include information on support services and university resources available to new students.


Housing Information

You must be admitted to Grand Valley before you can apply for on-campus housing. The Admissions Office will send you information about housing once you’ve been admitted.

  • Incoming first-year freshmen students are required to reside on campus.
  • Transfer and graduate students are encouraged but not required to live on campus.

Applying early may improve the chances of receiving your preferred style, but does not guarantee a placement in the requested style.


Scholarships and Financial Aid

1. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed by you and/or your parents or spouse. You should fill out the FAFSA completely and accurately. Do not leave blank spaces. Indicate zeros in situations that do not apply. The FAFSA is the only form you need to use to apply for need-based financial aid and loans. For maximum consideration for need-based aid, applicants should file the FAFSA by March 1. The Grand Valley FAFSA code is 002268.

2. To be considered for non-need, merit-based academic scholarships, you must have your admission application completed by March 1st. Your admission file must be complete including all official transcripts and test scores.

3. Grand Valley’s Financial Aid Office may request additional information if, upon reviewing data you have presented, we believe that further clarification of your financial situation is needed. Such information may include submission of the applicant’s or parents’ IRS 1040 forms.

4. General eligibility requirements for federal aid require a valid Social Security number. To assist with your financial aid, please complete this field on the application. 5. All students applying for federal student financial aid should provide a final high school transcript to the Admissions Office.


Additional Admission Criteria

Admission to Grand Valley does not guarantee admission to certain undergraduate or entry-level graduate degree programs. Students must fulfill additional requirements before they may declare a major in any of the programs listed below. Please refer to the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog for admission requirements and application deadlines.

 

Allied Health Sciences (certain emphases only)
Applied Food and Nutrition
Art Education
Athletic Training, M.A.T.
Audiology, AU.D.
Cardiovascular Sonography
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Computer Science
Dance
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Education
Engineering

Film and Video Production
Health Information Management
Information Systems
Information Technology
Medical Laboratory Science
Music
Nursing
Occupational Safety and Health Management
Occupational Therapy (M.S.)
Occupational Therapy (D.R.O.T.)
Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.)

Police Academy (MCOLES)
Professional Science Masters (M.S.)
Radiation Therapy
Seidman College of Business programs
Social Work
Studio Art (all emphases)


Clery Act

Grand Valley State University is committed to assisting all members of our community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available on the Grand Valley State University Police Department website at nds9.dos5.net/gvpd/. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, you can stop by the Facilities Service Building or you can request a copy be mailed to you by calling (616)-331-3255. The report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, fire safety, university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. The report also contains information about crime data for three previous calendar years. Statistics include reported crimes that occurred on the campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by GVSU and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. This information is required by law and is provided by the Grand Valley State University Police Department.  

Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 requires that all entities receiving federal funds or financial assistance prohibit sex discrimination and sexual harassment in their education programs and activities. Learn more about Title IX at nds9.dos5.net/titleix/.


Our privacy policy is available for review.


You are responsible for notifying the Admissions Office in writing of any new or additional criminal charges filed against you subsequent to submitting this application and prior to attending classes.

Grand Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the university. 7/20



Page last modified October 26, 2023