Students Working on Computers
Kent State's mascot Flash welcomes new freshmen students with open arms. A group of students stand behind him, looking excited.
Students dressed in Kent State attire and face paint cheer on the Golden Flashes basketball team.

New Freshmen

You are here

Close relationships with the people around you bring love, meaning and support to your life. Most importantly, they deepen your feelings of self-worth, and with that you can be resilient through anything you encounter. If you're open to broadening and strengthening your connections to others and willing to be challenged and molded by those people, you'll find opportunities with every step you take. That's the first transformation you'll experience at Kent State University - where our relationship-driven environment and commitment to inspire and guide every student leads to incredible outcomes and serious impact on the world.

Admissions Policy

  • Freshman admission at the Kent Campus is selective.
  • Admissions decisions are based on the following:
    • Cumulative grade point average.
    • ACT and/or new SAT* scores.
    • Strength of high school college preparatory curriculum.
    • Grade trends.

*New SAT scores will be accepted for fall 2017 and are recommended.

Core Curriculum Requirements

  • 4 units of English (emphasis of composition)
  • 4 units of Mathematics (Algebra I, II, Geometry, with minimum Algebra II complete)
  • 3 units of Science
  • 3 units of Social Studies
  • 2 units of Foreign Language
  • 1 unit of Art (or additional unit of foreign language)

Kent State University endorses the minimum core curriculum above.

Fall 2015 Freshman Class Profile

  • Mean high school cumulative GPA 3.36
  • Mean ACT composite 23
  • Mean SAT total (critical reading and math) 1050 (old SAT)
  • 79 percent had a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Applications are processed on a rolling basis.

Some academic programs have additional requirements.

Deferred Admission

The Admissions Office at the Kent Campus may defer the admission of students who do not meet admissions criteria but who demonstrate areas of promise for successful college study. Deferred applicants may begin their college coursework at one of seven Regional Campuses of Kent State University. The Admissions Office at the Kent Campus will forward a student's application materials to a Regional Campus upon his/her request.

Home School/Alternative Education Policy

Kent State welcomes applications from home-schooled students. Students who are home-schooled may submit an equivalent diploma through a successful General Educational Development (GED) examination and an ACT/SAT score, or submit the following information for admission consideration:

  1. Written verification from the appropriate school district that the student has been excused from compulsory attendance for home education.
  2. ACT or SAT score.
  3. A portfolio of the student's work reflecting all secondary coursework completed. Students should complete a program of study that covers the material in the full college preparatory program recommended by the Ohio State Board of Education. Non-Ohio students should submit appropriate supporting documents as required by their home state. Please contact the Admissions Office for further details.

Applying

To apply for admission a New Freshman must submit:

  • Online application.
  • Application fee of $45.
  • High school transcript.
  • ACT and /or new SAT* Scores.

*New SAT scores will be accepted for fall 2017 and are recommended.

Admissions Timeline

  • Apply Online Now!
  • Jan. 15: Deadline to submit admissions application to be considered for freshman scholarships.
  • Feb. 1: Priority deadline to submit the FAFSA to the federal processor.
  • March 1: Deadline to submit freshman application for upcoming fall semester