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  1. Home/
  2. Admissions/
  3. First-year students

Ready? Apply now!

Choose the Common App or University of Idaho application for a seamless admissions process. 

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University of Idaho application

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Who is a first-year student?

First-year students are those applying directly from high school or those applying with fewer than 14 semester credits of transferable college work earned after high school graduation.

Not a first-year student? Explore other application types.

Review first-year admission requirements

Regionally accredited high school students

First-year students who graduate from a regionally accredited high school must meet all admission requirements in effect for the year they graduated.

These students include:

  • Those enrolling directly from high school.
  • Those enrolling directly from high school who have completed college-level work while in high school.

Note: Applicants with fewer than 14 transferable semester credits completed after high school graduation must also meet transfer GPA requirements.

Early admission may be granted based on a sixth or seventh semester high school transcript if it appears that the student will meet admission requirements.

You must submit:

  1. An application for admission.
  2. $50 application fee (nonrefundable). No application fee required for Idaho residents.
  3. Test scores. You may request copies of your ACT or SAT scores. If your ACT or SAT scores are on your school transcript, you do not need to have them sent separately. Every student who has a test score is encouraged to provide it for admission as well as class placement.

    1. New first-year students will automatically be considered for admission if their cumulative unweighted GPA is 3.00 or higher. Test scores are not required.
    2. Applicants who are Idaho residents achieving scores of 3 or higher on both the ISAT Math and Literacy tests are eligible for admission regardless of GPA.
    3. New first-year applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.60-2.99 must submit ACT or SAT test scores.
    4. Those who have cumulative GPAs of 2.30-2.59 will be admitted through the Vandal Gateway Program regardless of test scores.
     High school cumulative GPAACT composite*SAT evidence-based reading and writing + mathISAT math + literacy (ID residents)
    Automatic admission to U of IAny GPAN/AN/A≥ Level 3 + 3
    3.00 - 4.00Test score not requiredTest score not requiredTest score not required
    2.60 - 2.9915+740+N/A
    Admission to Vandal Gateway Program2.30 - 2.59Test score not requiredTest score not requiredN/A
    Matching test scores and GPA
  4. Official high school transcript showing graduation date. If you have not yet graduated from high school, a transcript showing all completed work may be accepted for early admission.
  5. Official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended.

Academic requirements:

  • Combination of cumulative GPA and test scores
  • Applicants with fewer than 14 transferable semester credits earned after high school graduation must also meet the admission requirements for new transfers.

If you do not meet the published criteria for admission at the time of review, you may apply to the Admissions Committee for consideration. 

GED students

First-year students who have completed their GED instead of graduating from an accredited high school and have earned fewer than 14 transferable semester credits since obtaining their GED will have their application for admission referred to the Admissions Committee for a decision.

You must submit:

  1. An application for admission.
  2. $50 application fee (nonrefundable). No application fee required for Idaho residents.
  3. ACT or SAT test scores. If you have an ACT composite of 26 or higher or an SAT Evidence Based Reading + Math score of 1260 or higher, you are not required to submit the letters of recommendation or the written statement referenced below.  
  4. Official high school transcript showing the work completed. High school transcripts are required from any high school attended even if the student did not graduate.
  5. A copy of the GED test results.
  6. Official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended.
  7. Three signed letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the student’s academic ability.
  8. A written statement from the student which includes the student’s goals, educational and/or professional objectives, an explanation of past academic performance, information and/or documentation regarding any extenuating circumstances and any other information the student wishes to have considered.

Applicants with fewer than 14 transferable semester credits completed since obtaining their GED must also meet the admission requirements for new transfers. 

Home-schooled students

First-year students who have been home-schooled either partially or completely for grades nine through 12 and have earned fewer than 14 transferable semester credits since graduating from home-school will have their application for admission referred to the Admissions Committee for a decision.

You must submit:

  1. An application for admission.
  2. $50 application fee (nonrefundable). No application fee required for Idaho residents.
  3. ACT or SAT test scores. If you have an ACT composite of 26 or higher or an SAT Evidence Based Reading + Math score of 1260 or higher, you are not required to submit the letters of recommendation or the written statement referenced below.  
  4. Home-school transcript or a description of your educational background including subjects studied.
  5. Official transcripts from any secondary school attended prior to or in addition to home schooling.
  6. A copy of the GED test results if obtained.  
  7. Official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended.
  8. Three signed letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the student’s academic ability.
  9. A written statement from the student that includes the student’s goals, educational and/or professional objectives, an explanation of past academic performance, information and/or documentation regarding any extenuating circumstances and anything else the committee might find useful when reviewing your file.

Applicants with fewer than 14 transferable semester credits completed since graduating from home-school must also meet the admission requirements for new transfers. 

Non-accredited high school students

First-year students who graduate from non-accredited high schools (high schools without accreditation from a regional accrediting agency such as the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges) and have earned fewer than 14 transferable semester credits since graduating from high school will have their application for admission referred to the Admissions Committee for a decision.

You must submit:

  1. An application for admission.
  2. $50 application fee (nonrefundable). No application fee required for Idaho residents.
  3. ACT or SAT test scores. If you have an ACT composite of 26 or higher or an SAT Evidence Based Reading + Math score of 1260 or higher, you are not required to submit the letters of recommendation or the written statement referenced below.
  4. Official high school transcript showing the work completed.
  5. A copy of the GED test results if obtained.
  6. Official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended.
  7. Three signed letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the student’s academic ability.
  8. A written statement from the student that includes the student’s goals, educational and/or professional objectives, an explanation of past academic performance, information and/or documentation regarding any extenuating circumstances and anything else the committee might find useful when reviewing your file.

Applicants with fewer than 14 transferable semester credits completed after high school graduation must also meet transfer GPA requirements. 

Students with fewer than 14 transferable credits

First-year students who have earned fewer than 14 transferable semester credits since high school graduation must meet both first year and transfer admission requirements.

You must submit:

  1. An application for admission.
  2. $50 application fee (nonrefundable). No application fee required for Idaho residents.
  3. ACT or SAT test scores. You may request copies of your ACT or SAT scores. If your ACT or SAT scores are on your school transcript, you do not need to have them sent separately. Every student who has a test score is encouraged to provide it for admission as well as class placement.
  4. Official high school transcript showing graduation date.
  5. Official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended.

Helpful tools for applying

  • Get help from your admissions counselor
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  • How to apply
  • First-year dates and deadlines

Already admitted?

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Office of Admissions

Email: admissions@uidaho.edu
Phone: 208-885-6326
Location: Bruce M. Pitman Center, Room 117, 709 Deakin St., Moscow, ID 83844

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