Admissions: Freshman Applicants

Admission Standards & Evaluation Criteria

Committed to providing a foundation of diversity and accessibility, Fitchburg State College evaluates each applicant based on standards established by the Commonwealth’s Board of Higher Education and the College. We actively seek students who will benefit from Fitchburg State’s high quality liberal arts and professional programs and contribute to our vibrant academic and social communities.

FRESHMAN APPLICANTS

You are a freshman applicant if you are applying to Fitchburg State College directly from high school or as an adult with no previous college experience. High school students participating in the Dual Enrollment program or who have taken college courses while in high school are considered freshman applicants.

Freshman applicants should present a history of a competitive grade point average earned in a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum. The college calculates a weighted grade point average for all college preparatory courses taken in high school.

Academic Course Requirements:

Exceptions to the foreign language requirement may be considered for applicants with special circumstances including a documented learning disability, students from a vocational-technical school, and/or ESL students. Fitchburg State admits students based on grade point average, SAT and/or ACT scores, school and community service, letters of recommendation, applications essay, life experience, special talents and learning styles, and ELPT and/or TOEFL scores for students whose first language is not English. Life and work experience are weighted more heavily for applicants who have been out of high school for a significant period of time.

Minimum Required Grade Point Average (GPA)

The Admissions Committee calculates high school GPA based on all college preparatory courses completed at the time of application and weights Honors and Advanced Placement courses. We look for a minimum weighted high school GPA is 3.0. However, the Admissions Committee will consider applicants with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.99 if they submit SAT/ACT scores meeting the sliding scale requirements. Applicants that do not meet the sliding scale requirements will be considered on an individual basis for a limited number of admission exceptions. IMPORTANT: Meeting the minimum GPA and SAT/ACT requirements does not guarantee admission to the College.

SAT I or ACT Test Requirement

Applicants who meet the 3.0 GPA requirement do not have to use the sliding scale for admission, but still must submit competitive SAT/ACT scores if they are applying to Fitchburg State within three years of high school graduation. Applicants who graduated from high school more than three years prior to applying to Fitchburg State are not required to submit SAT/ACT test scores.  IMPORTANT: Meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee admission to the College.

If an applicant’s GPA fall between 2.0 – 2.99, a sliding scale will apply. (See below.) IMPORTANT: Meeting the sliding scale standards does not guarantee admission to the College.

Acceptance to Fitchburg State is contingent upon graduation from high school or equivalent preparation (GED). Students who graduate from a Massachusetts public high school must also submit proof of passing all MCAS requirements. Our School Code is 3518.

NON-TRADITIONAL / ADULT APPLICANTS

A non-traditional applicant’s high school class will have graduated more than three years prior to the student attending college. To qualify as a non-traditional applicant, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Adult students are evaluated on a combination of ability demonstrated in high school and life/work experience. SAT/ACT tests are not required.  For more specific information about entrance requirements, adult applicants are encouraged to contact the Adult/Transfer Admissions Coordinator in the Admissions Office.