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Utah State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

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Utah State University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 89%. Founded in 1888 as a small agricultural college, Utah State University is now a large comprehensive university that offers over 168 undergraduate and 143 graduate degrees through its nine colleges. The university is located in the city of Logan, about 80 miles northeast of Salt Lake City. Academics at USU are supported by a 20-to-1 student / faculty ratio . Popular majors include business administration, engineering, and education. In athletics, the Utah State Aggies compete in the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference .

Considering applying to Utah State University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Utah State University had an acceptance rate of 89%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 89 students were admitted, making USU's admissions process less competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Utah State requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 13% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Utah State University's admitted students fall within the  top 35% nationally  on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of USU's admitted students scored between 530 and 650, while 25% scored below 530 and 25% scored above 650. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 520 and 640, while 25% scored below 520 and 25% scored above 640. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1290 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Utah State University.

Requirements

Utah State does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that USU does not superscore SAT results; your highest composite SAT score will be considered.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Utah State University requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 89% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Utah State University's admitted students fall within the  top 42% nationally  on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to USU received a composite ACT score between 21 and 28, while 25% scored above 28 and 25% scored below 21.

Utah State University does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. The optional ACT writing section is not required by Utah State.

In 2018, the average high school GPA of Utah State University's incoming freshmen class was 3.56, and over 46% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.75 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Utah State University have primarily A and high B grades.

Admissions Chances

Utah State University, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions pool with above average grades and test scores. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average range, you have a strong chance of being accepted. Utah State's minimum admission requirements include an average high school GPA of 2.5, a composite ACT score of 17, and a combined SAT score of 900. Utah State University uses an admissions index that combines GPA and SAT/ACT scores in order to determine eligibility for admission. USU also considers academic achievement in  rigorous coursework . Potential applicants should have a minimum of four years of English; four years of math; three and a half years of social science; three years of lab-based science (including biology, chemistry, and physics); and two years of the same world language.

If You Like Utah State University, You May Also Like These Schools

• University of Utah
• University of Idaho
• Oregon State University
• University of Arizona
• University of Oregon
• University of Wyoming
• Northern Arizona University
• University of Washington
• Brigham Young University
• Colorado State University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Utah State University Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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Transfer Student Admission

• Application
• Utah Residents-No application fee
• Nonresidents-$50 non-refundable application fee
• Official college transcript(s) from all institutions previously attended

If fewer than 24 transferable college credits have been earned, then high school transcripts are required and ACT or SAT scores may be submitted.

Minimum Requirements

Transfer students with at least 24 semester credits earned at another regionally accredited institution must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major.

Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an Exploratory Program if they have at least a 2.0 GPA and fewer than 60 transfer credits (see  Exploratory Program ).

Transfer students with fewer than 24 semester credits will also be evaluated on their high school GPA (and ACT or SAT score if provided).

Transfer policy information:  See the  Transfer Credit      section of this catalog.

Returning Student Admission

• They have been absent from university for more than three years.
• They graduated from USU with a bachelor’s degree.
• They were suspended from the university.

Students who have attended USU within the last three years are NOT required to reapply unless suspension or graduation with a bachelor’s degree occurred the last semester they attended.

Required Materials

• Official college transcript(s) from all institutions attended after last attendance at USU

Applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major. Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an Exploratory Program, if they have at least a 2.0 GPA and fewer than 60 credits (see  Exploratory Program ).

Academic Action (Students not in good academic standing)

Students who have been suspended once may apply for readmission after a two-semester layout at USU. Students who have been suspended two times may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of one full calendar year. Students who have been dismissed may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of five or more calendar years. Applications from students that left the university not in good standing are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if they qualify for the Bridge Program.

Nontraditional Student Admission

• Personal statement summarizing work, military, or other experiences that have prepared the applicate for college success.
• Letters of recommendation, from individuals that can speak to applicant’s ability to succeed in college.
• Transcripts, certificates, and licenses of training and accomplishments.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum GPA requirement for their desired major. Applicants whose GPA does not meet the requirements of their desired major may be offered an Exploratory Program, if they have at least a 2.0 GPA and fewer than 60 credits (see Exploratory Program ).

• ACT/SAT Test scores are waived for applicants who have been out of high school for at least 7 years and optional for other students.

Open Enrollment Programs

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants may be required to submit high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

With the exception of home school students, applicants seeking Federal Financial Aid must have a high school diploma, or the recognized equivalency (i.e., GED, HiSET, or TASC).

See USU Logan and Statewide Campus Admissions   requirements above for bachelor’s degree programs.

New First-Year Students​

• Official high school transcript, High School Equivalency Exam score report, or home-school transcript
• ACT or SAT scores (optional but may be required for scholarship opportunities)
• Official college transcripts of any concurrent enrollment coursework

Home-school applicants are typically not eligible to enroll until after their peers have graduated from traditional high school. Home-school students wishing to be considered earlier than this will be evaluated based on the Early Admission policy and are not eligible to attend until after their peers have completed their junior year of high school. 

Transfer and Returning Students

Returning USU students who have attended USU within the last three years are NOT required to reapply unless suspension or graduation with a bachelor’s degree occurred the last semester they attended.

• Transfer students with fewer than 24 semester credits may need to submit high school transcripts and test scores. 
• With the exception of home school students, applicants seeking Federal Financial Aid must have a high school diploma, or the recognized equivalency (i. e., GED, HiSET, or TASC).

Academic Action (Students not in good standing)

Students who have been suspended once may apply for readmission after a two-semester layout at USU. Students who have been suspended two times may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of one full calendar year.  Students who have been dismissed may apply for readmission to the university following a layout of five or more calendar years. Applications from students that left the university not in good standing are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if they qualify for the Bridge Program. 

Major Change Requests

To change your major/program of study, please  contact the advisor  of the incoming program.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

The Non-Degree Seeking Application allows students in certain situations to take USU classes without being admitted to a degree program. This status is generally intended for students wishing to take classes for personal enrichment, to take prerequisites for a graduate program or to audit classes.

In some cases, students are allowed to enroll as non-degree students to improve their academic record in hopes that they might qualify for admissions into a degree program at a later time. Enrolling as a non-degree student does not automatically qualify a student to become degree-seeking. To be accepted into a degree program, a student must apply as a degree-seeking student and meet the regular admission standards.

The following restrictions apply to non-degree seeking applicants:

• Applicants with an obtained bachelor’s degree generally pay graduate level tuition, even for undergraduate level courses*.
• Use of federal financial aid is generally not allowed.
• If applicable, students should apply for degree-seeking status as soon as possible.
• Graduate students may only take 12 credits non-degree seeking and have them count toward a USU graduate degree program.
• Students in high school are required to have completed their junior year of high school prior to enrolling in classes as a non-degree seeking student (exceptions can be considered by appeal to the Admissions Committee).

*In some instances, a student who has graduated with a bachelor’s degree may need to return to school to take additional undergraduate courses for employment or other reasons. If the student does not intend to receive a second bachelor’s degree, they may apply for Undergraduate Degree Enrichment as a non-degree seeking undergraduate student. If approved, the student may pay undergraduate tuition and fees. Under this option, a maximum of 9 additional undergraduate semester credits may be taken within a five-year period. Students who wish to take additional undergraduate courses must apply for a second bachelor’s degree or be admitted as a non-degree seeking graduate student and pay graduate tuition.

Other Requirements

Enrollment deposit.

• $50 New Student Services fee
• $150 prepayment of tuition and fees for your first semester

Paying the enrollment deposit allows students to begin orientation and register for classes, accepts USU scholarships offered by the Admissions Office, and sign a contract for on-campus housing.

Students may postpone their deposit for financial hardship. If approved to postpone, students will pay the deposit as part of their first bill after financial aid has been disbursed. A $50 new student services fee will be added to the first semester bill.

• Note: International Students are not able to postpone their deposit except for student athletes with an aid agreement.

Exceptions to the enrollment deposit:

• Students attending the Eastern and Blanding campuses.
• Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Non-degree seeking and workforce development students.
• Students pursuing only a technical education (TE) certificate.
• Veterans using Chapter 31 or 33 VA benefits.*
• Students using Vocational Rehab to pay for schooling.*
• NCAA athletes who have signed an athletic aid agreement.*

*Veterans, vocational rehab recipients, and NCAA athletes with an athletics aid agreement should submit the deposit postponement form.

English Proficiency Requirement

If you have completed three years of high school or a minimum of 24 credits of post-secondary/university coursework excluding English as a second language courses in one of the countries listed below, you are considered to be proficient in the English language and will not be required to provide additional evidence of English proficiency.

• Canada (except Quebec Province)
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States

The English language requirement may be satisfied through any of the methods listed below. Students must ask the testing agency to send official exam scores to Utah State University.

• TOEFL internet-based (iBT) exam score of 71 or paper-based exam score of 525. The institution  code for USU is 4857*

• IELTS score of 6.0 overall band score with a minimum of 5.0 on each subscale*

• MET score of 52
• Cambridge B2 First , C1 Advanced , or C2 Proficiency score of 169
• SAT Evident-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 500. The institution code for USU us 4857*
• SAT Reading score of at least 27 first Administered March 2016. The institution code for USU is 4857*
• ACT English score of 18
. The institution code for USU is 4276
• USU  Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) Placement Exam  Total score of 146 and Writing Score of 31**


*Scores more than 2 years old are not accepted.

**Visit the IELI Placement Exam webpage to learn more.

Note: English proficiency requirements for international undergraduate students can be found on the  International Student Admission   page.

Intensive English Language Institute

An applicant who does not provide proof of English language proficiency through one of the options above must take the English Language Placement Exam, given by USU’s Intensive English Language Institute (IELI), if admitted. The exam will determine if you meet USU’s English language proficiency requirement or your place in one of four class levels of English instruction. You will be required to complete any required intensive English language courses before beginning other academic course work.

Undergraduate students who believe they demonstrate English language proficiency may appeal by sending an email and supportive documentation to the Admissions Office at  [email protected] .

Criminal History Disclosure Requirement

All undergraduate applicants are required to disclose if they have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation, or if any such charge is currently pending against them. Applicants who have a criminal history are required to complete a background questionnaire for each offense. If an applicant’s answer changes prior to enrollment, they must promptly contact the Office of Admissions to provide an explanation. By submitting the questionnaire, the applicant consents to Utah State University obtaining information from appropriate persons to validate or otherwise learn more about the conduct in order to make appropriate education-related decisions. Specifically, the applicant authorizes the pertinent governmental agencies to disclose to appropriate officials at Utah State or its agents the facts and circumstances of the applicant’s criminal conviction(s), incarceration(s), probation(s) and/or parole(s). Finally, the applicant consents to permit Utah State University to make an informed decision regarding their application for admission to Utah State. Failure to disclose all criminal history may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the university.

Academic Action Disclosure Requirement

All undergraduate applicants are required to disclose if they have ever been expelled, suspended, disciplined, placed on probation by, or are ineligible to return to, any institution of learning attended, including without limitation, a college, academy, technical or trade school, university, or grade school beyond grade eight. Applicants who have had any of these actions taken against them are required to provide a detailed statement of explanation. Failure to disclose may result in denial of admission or dismissal from the university. By submitting the statement, the applicant consents to Utah State University obtaining information from appropriate persons to validate or otherwise learn more about the conduct in order to make appropriate education-related decisions. Finally, the applicant consents to permit Utah State University to make an informed decision regarding their application for admission to Utah State.

Please note that academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to the university. The university may evaluate an applicant’s behavior to determine their ability to maintain the standards of academic and professional conduct expected at the university.

Related Information

Admission deferment.

Newly accepted first-year, transfer, or readmitted students who wish to defer their start date to a later semester may request to do so (without reapplying) by submitting an online Deferment Request (see Deferments at usu.edu/admissions for more information). Deferment requests are due no later than the last week of classes of the semester for which the student was initially admitted. Deferments are generally granted for a total of one and one half years. However, they may be granted for up to three years for those participating in official assignments such as military, church, or humanitarian service. All deferment requests must be approved by the Admissions Office.

Questions regarding deferment should be directed to the Admissions Office located in the TSC 102, by phone at (435) 797-1079, or email at  [email protected] .

International students must contact the office of Global Engagement located in Military Science 115, by phone at 435-797-1124 or by email at  [email protected] .

Graduate students contact their Graduate Program Coordinator to submit a deferment request.

Exploratory Program

Declaring a major.

To change your major/program of study, please  contact the advisor of the incoming program.

Residency Policy and Application

Persons who have been classified as nonresident students and who feel they now satisfy therequirements for Utah Resident Status for tuition purposes must file an application with the Residency Office, Taggart Student Center 102. The Residency Application is available at  usu.edu/admissions/residency through the student’s Service Now account. There is no application fee. Applications are processed for each fall and spring semester. The final deadline is no later than the end of the third week of the semester. Applications received after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered. The residency application cannot be completed or processed until the student is admitted to the university.

If an application is denied by the Residency Office, the student may appeal to the Residency Appeals Committee no later than the end of the semester for which the student is seeking residency. Appeals cannot be considered after this deadline.

To qualify for Utah resident status for tuition purposes, a person is required to:

• Be a U.S. citizen or meet one of the HB 102 immigration status requirements.
• Document living in Utah for 12 continuous months.
• Not be claimed as a dependent on most recent federal tax return by anyone who is not a resident of Utah.
• Obtain a Utah vehicle registration, voter registration, and driver’s license at least three months prior to the start of the semester for which the student is applying for residency.

Each person who applies for Utah resident status for tuition purposes is considered on the totality of evidence. Based upon review of each application, additional documentation may be required, including evidence of employment in Utah, income taxes, birth certificate, parent’s tax returns, etc.

Persons having questions about a specific situation (not covered by the information above) should contact the Admissions Office.

Provisions in the law enable a person to be granted Utah residency for tuition purposes as an exception to the regulations listed above. A few exceptions are listed below, but students should contact the Admissions Office for more information regarding requirements and restrictions for each exception. Below are the most common exceptions to the 12-month waiting period for residency and the required documentation listed in the Regents Policy 512, Determination of Residency Status. For a complete list of exceptions, explanations and definitions, please visit our residency website (listed below) for the link to the R512 document on the Utah System of Higher Education’s website.

• Dependent children and spouses of those who were recruited or transferred to Utah for full-time employment.
• Certain individuals recruited or transferred to Utah with full-time employment.
• Dependent persons having a parent who has been a legal resident of Utah for at least one year.
• Persons who marry a Utah resident. (The spouse must have been a Utah resident before the marriage.)
• Active-duty military personnel and their dependents with current duty station in Utah can pay resident tuition while they are stationed in Utah.
• Military veterans and their dependents may also qualify for residency for tuition purposes, regardless of where they served.
• Native Americans who are registered on the tribal rolls of tribes whose lands are contiguous to Utah. These tribes are: Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indians; Navajo Nation (Diné); Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation of Utah (Washakie); Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (Cedar City Band of Paiutes, Kanosh Band of Paiutes, Koosharem Band of Paiutes, Indian Peaks Band of Paiutes, and Shivwits Band of Paiutes); Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians of Utah; Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation; Ute Mountain Tribe of theUte Mountain Reservation; Hopi; Zuni; Shoshone-Bannock Tribe. Proof of tribal enrollment is required.

Other requirements may apply. For further residency information, contact the USU Admissions Office, Taggart Student Center 102, (435) 797-1079, or visit: usu.edu/admissions/residency

Note: Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE/WRGP) and some Alumni Legacy Waiver students are not eligible to establish residency for tuition purposes. Time in state and/or credits earned while on WUE/WRGP or some Alumni Legacy Waivers will not count toward residency.

Veterans Educational Benefits

Veterans or qualified dependents of disabled or deceased veterans who may be eligible for Veterans Educational Benefits should contact the Office of Veterans Services, or telephone (435) 797-9187 for information concerning their educational benefits. Veterans or eligible dependents must make application for admission and be matriculated in a degree program.

Providing Educational Services to Military Service Members

The university has entered into a Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding focused on improving services delivered to military service members. 

The university bans the practice of providing commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including Tuition Assistance funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance. 

The university does not make multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, or engage in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service member enrollments. 

Readmission of Service Members

U.S. Armed Forces members who cannot attend or start school due to military service will be admitted with the same academic status they had when they last attended. A leave of absence/deferment or new application may be required. Notification of service and intent to return may be directed to the Admissions Office at  [email protected] or 1-800-488-8108.

Western Undergraduate Exchange

Utah State University participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE/WRGP), a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE/WRGP, certain students who are not residents of the State of Utah may enroll at Utah State University by paying resident tuition plus 50 percent of that amount (plus other fees that are paid by all students). For further information, see WUE/WRGP text in the Financial Aid and Scholarships section or visit  usu.edu/admissions/scholarships/wue .

Credit by Examination

New first-year students may receive credits for examination scores received prior to enrollment at USU. Credits may be earned with satisfactory scores on Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), and International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) examinations. To ensure that credits earned by examination will be posted to their transcripts, students are responsible to submit all of their test scores to the Admissions Office.

International Undergraduate Student Admission

For information about admission procedures for international undergraduate students, see the International Student Admission    page.

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Utah State University Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Utah State University's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Utah State University and build a strong application.

School location: Logan, UT

This school is also known as: USU

Admissions Rate: 93.7%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Utah State University is 93.7% . For every 100 applicants, 94 are admitted.

This means the school is a nearly open admissions school. They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in. But if you don't meet all their application requirements, you'll be one of the very few people who gets rejected.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Utah State University GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.61

The average GPA at Utah State University is 3.61 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.61, Utah State University requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Utah State University hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Utah State University will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Utah State University SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1180

The average SAT score composite at Utah State University is a 1180 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Utah State University Competitive for SAT test scores.

Utah State University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1070, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1300. In other words, a 1070 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1300 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Utah State University has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that Utah State University requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that Utah State University will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1070, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Utah State University ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Utah State University likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 24

The average ACT score at Utah State University is 24. This score makes Utah State University Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 20, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 27.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 20 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Utah State University, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 20.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Utah State University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

This school offers nearly open admissions, which means they give almost every student an offer of admission. To be safe, you should aim for a 1070 SAT or a 20 ACT or higher . If you can achieve this, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot in the incoming class.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Utah State University here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $50
• Fee Waiver Available? Not available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies
• Electives 4

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes Rolling Rolling

Admissions Office Information

• Address: Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322
• Phone: (800) 488-8108 x8108
• Fax: (435) 797-3900
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Utah State University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Utah State University.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Utah State University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Utah State University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Utah State University, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Utah State University is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Utah State University Admissions

What is the acceptance rate for usu, will you get in, will you get into usu.

Test Scores and High School GPA for Utah State University

Admissions Statistics

Admissions deadlines, admissions requirements.

• High School GPA Required
• High School Rank Considered but not required
• High School Transcript Required
• College Prep Courses Considered but not required
• SAT/ACT Recommended
• Recommendations Neither required nor recommended

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Utah State University

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Acceptance Rate

Average SAT

SAT 25th-75th

Students Submitting SAT

Average (25th - 75th)

Reading and Writing

Average ACT

ACT 25th-75th

Students Submitting ACT

Wondering your admission chance to this school? Calculate your chance now

Applications, how to apply, tests typically submitted, similar schools.

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Applications and admissions faqs.

• Applications

What if I can’t find my previous institution in the drop-down box in the application?

Please select 'Unlisted' on the application and write in the name of the institution.

How do I pay my application fee?

Pay your application fee through the online application portal. Any other method will not be accepted. If you’re having difficulties, please contact USU’s IT Department .

How do I change incorrect information on my application?

If you need to change your address, social security number, or date of birth, please contact USU’s IT Department .

Anything related to the academic tab and supplemental items can be changed by the Admission Officers.

NOTE: Applications can only be edited before they are marked complete and before they are referred to the department for review.

I submitted everything for my application, but I have not heard anything. Who should I contact?

Admission decisions are made by each individual department. Please contact the graduate program coordinator for your program for further information.

• Financial Aid

Do I qualify for an application fee waiver?

Contact the graduate program coordinator for your program to see if you qualify for a waiver.

Who do I contact regarding financial aid?

Please reach out to the department to which you applied for information on fee waivers, assistantships, and scholarship opportunities. 

What financial aid resources are available to me?

Your department may have department-specific financial aid opportunities. 

You may also qualify for federal student loans. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

You can also explore USU’s financial aid page and the School of Graduate Studies cost and funding webpage for additional opportunities.

• Supplemental Items

What are supplemental items?

Some departments require additional information and documentation for the application process. The required information for your intended program will appear in the “supplemental items” tab in your USU application.

Please contact the department you’re applying to for more information on the supplemental items required for your application.

How do I submit supplemental items?

First, make sure you have paid the application fee and submitted the initial application.

Second, log back into the application portal and open your submitted application. There will be a new tab for you to upload all required supplemental items.

What do I need to include in my statement of purpose?

Each department has different requirements for the statement of purpose. Please contact the graduate program coordinator for your intended department.

Can I send documents such as transcripts and test scores for evaluation before submitting an application for admission?

No. We will not review any documents until you have submitted an application.

Where do I send my official transcripts?

Physical transcripts can be addressed and mailed to

ATTN: Admissions Officers School of Graduate Studies Utah State University 0900 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322-0900

Electronic transcripts can be sent through electronic clearinghouse to [email protected]

My referee has not received an email requesting they submit a letter of recommendation. What should I do?

Ensure you listed the correct contact information for the referee in the letter of recommendation request form. 

If the information is correct and the referee still has not received an email, recommend they check their spam folder for the email. 

An admissions officer will upload the letter as soon as they are able.

Do I have to submit official test scores?

Yes. If your prospective department of study requires test scores, they must be official. If you use unofficial test scores, your application will be considered incomplete. Please refer to the supplemental items tab in your application to see if test scores are required for your program (i.e., includes MAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and IELTS scores).

Why are my test scores not showing up on my application even though I’ve already submitted them? 

It can take the testing company 10-14 business days to process your request, and it can take an additional 10-14 business days for the graduate admissions officers to process your test scores on your application.

If your test scores are still not showing up after waiting an appropriate amount of time for processing, please contact [email protected] . It is possible your biographical information on your test scores do not match your application.

• Graduate Program Coordinator

What is a graduate program coordinator (GPC)?

GPCs are the link between graduate students, departments, and the School of Graduate Studies. GPCs assist graduate students with deadlines, degree completion, and thesis/dissertation requirements. Your department’s GPC should be your first point of contact when you have questions about your application deadlines and materials.

How can I find my graduate program coordinator (GPC)?

Visit the graduate program coordinator webpage .

How do I defer my start date?

Students have until the end of the semester of their entry term to defer their start date. If they don’t take classes or request a deferral before this date, they will have to reapply in the next application cycle for a USU graduate program. To obtain a start-date deferral, students must contact their department’s graduate program coordinator.

On This Page

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Frequently asked questions, general scholarship questions, can my scholarships be placed on hold if i file a notification of leave.

If you have an Admissions Scholarship, refer to your acceptance email or acceptance letter as to whether it can be held. To hold your scholarship, you must file for a notification of leave . When your notification of leave is approved, we will be notified and will place your scholarship on hold until you return to USU. For departmental scholarships, you will need to contact the department that awarded you the scholarship to find out if it can be held. If you have a private scholarship, you will need to contact the donor. Some donors prefer to hold scholarships themselves, and some may allow USU to hold a private scholarship. For questions on whether your scholarship can be held, email [email protected] .

Can I have an extension of my scholarship?

Admissions Scholarships are awarded one time when students are admitted to USU. They cannot be extended. Students may apply for other scholarships at USU or for private scholarships to continue receiving aid.

What can I do if I will not meet my credit hour requirements?

If you are not able to meet your credit hour requirement due to schedule conflicts or because you don’t need to take as many credits as your scholarship requires this semester and can still graduate on time, you can appeal for fewer hours on your scholarship. To obtain approval: 1) Meet with your academic advisor and develop a graduation plan in DegreeWorks showing how many credits you need each semester. 2) Ask your advisor to lock that plan. 3) After it is locked, submit an appeal  to request that your credit hour requirement match your graduation plan.

If you don’t meet your credit hour requirement because you did not pass a course, and you have not been below requirements before, you can  appeal for probation.

Can I use my Admissions Scholarship for summer term?

Admissions Scholarships do not pay for summer term automatically because summer term is not required. If you do have enough semesters left on your scholarship, you can request to use one semester of your scholarship to pay for summer term. When you register for summer courses, submit an  appeal to request your scholarship to apply toward summer.

If you choose to use your scholarship in summer term, you will not be required to enroll full time. However, it will utilize a full semester’s worth of your scholarship, regardless of the number of credits you take. You might want to reserve your scholarship for Fall or Spring when you will more likely enroll full time.

If you have a Nonresident Waiver, Alumni Legacy Waiver, or WUE, your scholarship will not apply toward summer tuition charges. Summer tuition is charged at resident rates for everyone. Even if your tuition in summer is called “Nonresident Tuition,” it is only charged at the resident rate.

What are my options if I will not meet my GPA requirements?

If you are below your GPA requirements, and you have not been below requirements previously, you can appeal for probation after you are notified that your scholarship is cancelled for a low GPA. Submit an  appeal  and request probation.

What happens to my scholarship if I drop a class that will put me below my credit hour requirement?

If you have an Admissions Scholarship and you will be below requirements, you can obtain approval for a lower credit hour requirement. To do so: 1) Meet with your Academic Advisor and develop a graduation plan in DegreeWorks showing how many credits you will be taking this current semester and in any future semesters. 2) Ask your advisor to lock that plan. 3) After it is locked, submit an appeal  to request that your credit hour requirement match your graduation plan.

Will my scholarship pay for more than 18 credits?

Your Admissions Scholarship will be applied to your student account regardless of how many credits you take. If you are below credit requirements it could be cancelled for future semesters. If you take more than 18 credits, your scholarship will also apply toward your tuition charges. Our office typically finds students enrolled in more than 18 credits and can adjust your scholarship payment. You can also email [email protected] to let us know you are enrolled in more than 18 credits and we can adjust your scholarship payment accordingly.

Will Pass/Fail graded classes count toward my credit hour requirement?

We look at passed courses for credit hour requirements. If you have a pass/fail course, as long as you pass your class, your courses will apply toward your requirement.

What happens to my admissions scholarships if I drop all my classes and leave USU after the third week of the semester?

If you had to drop your courses after the third week of the semester, you will still be charged as if you were attending. Your scholarship payment is dependent on your enrollment, however, so your scholarship payment will not apply toward your tuition charges if you are not enrolled. Thus, you will owe USU for the amount of money that was previously covered by your Admissions Scholarship.

If you had to drop your courses due to extenuating circumstances such as a medical or other health emergency or military service, you may contact the Scholarship Team for guidance on how to handle your Admissions Scholarship status. We also encourage you to apply for an academic record adjustment and refund request for your courses. The Registrars Office has information on an academic record adjustment and refund requests.

How will private scholarship money be applied to my account?

Scholarship payments are applied first to your student account. If all charges are paid already, your donor may allow any remaining award to be refunded to you. If you have direct deposit set up with USU, the money will be sent to your bank account. If you don’t have direct deposit set up, the money will be mailed via a check to your preferred address on file.

What happens to my scholarships if I leave USU without filing for a notification of leave?

If you did not file for a notification of leave and left USU, your scholarship may not have been held. You can email [email protected] to find out your options.

Why am I being charged an international tax on my scholarship payment?

The Internal Revenue Service of the US government requires USU to charge taxes on non-qualified scholarship payments to international students. Non-qualified scholarships are payments not applied to tuition or required fees that can refund to students. You may be eligible for a refund by filing a tax return with the IRS before April 15 th of the next year.

What do I do if departmental scholarships are not paying out on my student account?

If your departmental scholarship is not paying out, there are different reasons this could be happening. Typically, it is because you are enrolled in fewer credits than the scholarship allows or was originally set up to pay. You can email [email protected]  for guidance.

If you need to obtain approval for taking fewer credits on a departmental scholarship, email [email protected] . We will contact the department that awarded you the scholarship to see if they approve for you to have your scholarship payment. When we have received approval from the appropriate funding authority in your department, we can ensure you receive the scholarship payment.

What are the requirements to receive scholarships?

How do i receive a sterling scholar scholarship, will my scholarship pay for online classes, what are the requirements for my scholarship.

A copy of your scholarship agreement was emailed to you. Check your USU and non-USU email accounts for an email with the following subject line: USU Scholarship Acceptance. If you are still unable to locate your scholarship agreement, please contact  [email protected] or (435) 797-0173 ext. 2.

USU General Scholarship Application Questions (ScholarshipUniverse)

Do i have to be a student at utah state university to use the application.

Yes, you will need to be admitted to Utah State University and have your Anumber and password in order to log into the application.

What types of scholarships are available on the application?

There are several types of scholarships available! You can find scholarships based on your major, minor, college, department, academic merits, financial need, hobbies, interests, affiliations, and more. Scholarships can come from two different sources. School Scholarships are internal and are offered by various departments across campus. External Scholarships are available from sources outside of Utah State University. These can be offered from local, state, or national organizations. Every scholarship posted in the system comes from a reliable source.

How often should I visit the USU scholarship application?

It is recommended that you log in to the system at least once a week to stay up to date on any new scholarships that are posted and apply before their deadline. During the peak scholarship application season (typically late fall through mid-spring) it is recommended to log in more frequently.

Can I search for a specific scholarship?

Yes! Simply enter a name or department in the search tool at the top of the website. After that, you’ll want to sort by internal school scholarships, and you can further filter by selecting an organization (College) and/or department.

How many profile questions do I have to answer?

It depends! The more profile questions you answer, the more scholarships you might be matched to now and in the future. If you have new profile questions to answer, you will see a gray bar on your Dashboard. You can also view the questions you have already answered and update them by clicking on the Questions tab. Relevant questions that need answering are found on the ‘Scholarships’ tab, under ‘Partial Matches’.

What are my chances of actually getting a scholarship?

Every year, millions of scholarship dollars are awarded to USU Aggies. While receiving a scholarship is not guaranteed, you may improve your chances by applying to as many scholarships as you can.

How do I request a Letter of Recommendation for a scholarship?

If a scholarship application requires that you request a Letter of Recommendation, you can do this directly through the application. Please be sure to ask your recommender before completing your application. Let them know to expect an email from Scholarship Universe with instructions on how to upload your letter.

I submitted my application already. Can I make edits to my essays or upload a different document?

The submission of a scholarship application is final and essays or any documents submitted cannot be edited. We highly recommend reviewing all documents prior to submitting your application.

When will I hear back about the scholarships I applied for?

Since each department is responsible for reviewing applications, it will vary. Generally, the review period begins once the deadline closes and most of them wrap up during the spring or early summer, or before the semester begins. If you are selected for a scholarship, you will receive an email from the system informing you of any potential next steps such as submitting a Thank You Letter.

To check the status of a scholarship, navigate to the Scholarships tab from the menu and then select the Application Submitted tab. From there, you can see the status of the scholarship you applied to. If the scholarship does not appear on this page, this means the scholarship review process has been completed for this scholarship.

I received an email stating I have to provide a Thank You Letter or Accept My Award in order to receive my scholarship. How do I do this?

Any outstanding tasks that you are required to complete such as Thank You Letters or Award Acceptance can be done directly from the system. To find action items requiring your attention, look for the Action Required section of your Dashboard.

How do I know if I am subscribed to emails and text messages?

You can check to see if you are subscribed by clicking on your name on the upper right-hand corner and clicking on Profile. You can view your Communication preferences to see if you are subscribed and adjust your preferences accordingly.

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Test-optional admission, you have options.

Utah State University has made the decision to suspend the ACT/SAT test score requirement for admission to USU’s Logan and Statewide Campuses. This makes the University 'test optional.'

Test Optional

‘Test optional’ means it is not mandatory for students to submit their ACT/SAT test scores as part of their admission application. ACT/SAT test scores will still be considered if submitted.    ACT/SAT test scores are recommended for academic merit scholarships, which are guaranteed if students meet the published parameters . Students who are unable to take the ACT/SAT, or choose not to, may request a personal comprehensive scholarship review (CSR) for scholarship consideration. The review will consider benchmarks such as grade point average (GPA), high school course rigor, and other criteria. The priority   deadline for CSR is January 10, 2024. Learn more at usu.edu/admissions/scholarships .

What to Expect

Student will be evaluated for admission solely based on their GPA. 

High School GPA Requirements:

• 2.8-4.0 GPA - Admitted in Good Standing.
• 2.0-2.79 GPA  - Considered for   Earned Admission & Preparing for College Workshop.
• 1.99 GPA & Below - Considered for   Earned Admission & College Success Course.

Over 160 Majors & Programs

No matter what you are interested in, chances are we have a degree for you. Browse through our list of degree offerings and learn more information.

USU grads boast a high job placement rate and avoid large amounts of debt. As a transfer student, you are eligible for specific scholarships to help cover the cost.

Transfer Previously Earned Credits

Because so many students have transferred to USU, we have built a large database for credits that will transfer . When you apply, we will determine what credits do or do not transfer.

Attend USU Anywhere

At USU, you can earn a prestigious degree through USU Online , one of our 32 Statewide Campuses, or at our main campus in Logan. Wherever you go, we will come with you.

Apply to USU

On Feb. 21, 2020 join other transfer students for a day on campus and experience what it's like to be an Aggie.

Test Scores Required

Although ACT/SAT test scores are temporarily not required for admission, they are still required for the following:

• Guaranteed academic merit scholarships
• Select majors and programs

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How to apply - mft.

HDFS Graduate Programs

What you need to know to apply:

• You apply to the School of Graduate Studies . The School of Graduate Studies forwards completed applications to the department for review.
• If you have questions about the application process, contact the School of Graduate Studies at  [email protected] .
• Social Science Research Methods
• NOTE: They do not need to be completed to apply, but they must be done before you start the program.
• You will submit the following as part of your application to apply to the (1) Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT; non-thesis track); or (2) Master of Science with a Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization (MS; thesis track):
• Curriculum vita or resume
• MFT Cover Letter (see below for details)
• MFT Essay (see below for details)
• Two need to be from academic sources
• References will be contacted via email and prompted to upload their letter of recommendation to a link sent to them from the graduate school.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 for last 90 quarter credit hours or 60 semester credit hours.
• TOEFL exam results (if English is a second language)
• NOTE: For applications accepted for admission in August 2023 or August 2024, the GRE and MAT are not required.
• Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT; Non-thesis option)
• Master of Science in Human Development & Family Studies with an MFT Specialization (MS, Thesis option)
• Doctoral degree in Human Development & Family Studies with an MFT Specialization (PhD)
• For more information, see  Tips for Applying to the USU MFT Master’s Program .

MFT Cover Letter/Statement of Purpose

The graduate school requires a cover letter that is one page, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font. Do not stress too much about this part.  Simply mention your interest in our program and make sure to include the following: Master’s Degree:

• MFT-specific courses (MFT, Human Sexuality, Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology) you have taken (include the course name and number).
• Prerequisite courses you have taken (university, course name, number, and semester taken). If you have not fulfilled the prerequisites, you need to explain how you intend to fulfill them prior to beginning the program (you do not have to have them completed before you apply, only before you start the program).

Doctoral Degree:

• Summarize your Master’s degree, including relevant research and clinical experiences
• Mention why you have decided to pursue a PhD.
• Highlight your educational and occupational goals
• Fit with department emphases, content areas, and areas of clinical and research faculty expertise (see Faculty Research  page).

Your essay should be no more than 3 pages, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font. Your essay is the most important part of your application. We want to get to know you from your essay. As a result, please address the following in some way:

• Tell us about your journey to choosing MFT as a profession. Of all the possibilities, why did you choose MFT? What gets you excited when you think about becoming an MFT?
• Talk about the experiences (personal and professional) that have prepared you to pursue a graduate degree in MFT. From these experiences, what skills did you develop, and what did you learn about yourself in the process?
• What do you most want to get out of an MFT program? Why do you consider USU a valuable option for accomplishing these goals? Please specify two USU faculty with whom your clinical and/or research interests most align.
• Highlight the personal skills and attributes that you will bring to our program. In doing this, make sure to address how you plan to cope with the rigors of a graduate degree in MFT, including how you have overcome specific challenges in the past.

Additional considerations for PhD essays (In addition to what’s required for the HDFS essay):

• Clinical interest areas and expertise, including presenting issues/problems you are drawn to, clinical populations with whom you are most interested in working.
• The intersection between your clinical interests and your research interests and goals and how the USU PhD program will help you accomplish your goals.
• Fit with faculty in terms of clinical and research interests (be specific).

Your essay should contain all of the information above, but use your own creativity and writing ability to decide how to organize your essay.

An overview of the process and timeline for Master’s applicants:

December 15: The deadline to submit your application

Early January: Faculty review applications (we had 170 applicants last year)

Early to mid-January: Faculty may contact some applicants (~40) and request a 2-3 minute video as an intermediate step.

Mid to late January: We contact applicants (~16-20) and invite them to an in-person interview.

Early to mid-February: MFT Interview Day, consisting of the following:

Evening before interviews:

• Dinner with faculty
• Games with current MFT students

Interview day (order varies by student and is subject to change):

• Faculty interview
• MFT student interview
• Mock Therapy
• Writing experience
• Experiential activity
• Sorenson Center Clinic tour

Within one week of interview day: We contact those who have been accepted into the program for the following academic year (~6-8). Alternates are also informed at this time.

Note: PhD applicants will follow the HDFS department’s process and timeline. This typically involves application reviews in January followed by separate interviews (typically Zoom) with the HDFS graduate committee and MFT faculty in February.

MFT Application Tips

• Look on the AAMFT website for possible accredited schools: www.aamft.org
• Know the difference between MFT, social work, counseling, and psychology. The clinical professions are different, and we need to understand why MFT is a good fit for you.
• Do your homework. If you haven’t had an introductory course, try to get a general overview of MFT thoughts and ideas. Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods and Mastering Competencies in Family Therapy are a couple of good places to start.
• It is great to have questions, but always look on the website first to see if your questions are answered there!
• Feel free to schedule an in-person or virtual meeting with our faculty members. If in-person, we can invite some current students to come and answer your questions and give you a tour. We love our program and want to tell you all about it!
• Your MFT essay is the most important part of your application. Use your best writing skills to convey your thoughts. Make sure you proofread and have other people read it.
• The second most important part of your application is your letters of recommendation. Choose your letter writers carefully. Meet with them, if possible, and talk to them about your goals and why you are applying. A good letter writer will help you tell your story. You just have to give them enough information. It could be valuable to give them a rough draft of your MFT essay and your CV/resume. Make sure you give them plenty of time to write the letter.
• We view your GPA as a gatekeeper. As long as you meet the minimum requirements, we consider your application. We recognize that there are a lot of other more important factors that determine whether you can be a good therapist or not.
• We value human service experience and research experience. It is becoming increasingly hard for applicants to get an interview without both. We are pretty flexible as to what and how much, but we want to know that you’ve had some experience in working in the human services field (even brief volunteer experience work) and that you are open to understanding more about research.
• Your application materials get you the interview, and then we use the in-person interview to really put together a cohort. So much of that is based upon how you interact with others and your general fit with our program.

Contact Information

RaNae Wamsley

Graduate Program Coordinator

Application Deadline

December 15 - Applicants to the MFT graduate programs must submit a complete application (including resume, cover letter, essay, transcripts, and letters of recommendation) to the School of Graduate Studies . Admission is for fall semesters only.

Fall 2025 UGA Essay Questions

  david graves        may 22nd, 2024 in blog.

For First Year students applying to UGA for Fall 2025, we will keep the same longer personal essay (250-650 words) as before, using the essay prompts from the Common App . The shorter UGA specific essay (200-300 words suggested) topic will also remain the same as last year, with the following essay prompt:

“ The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book (novel, non-fiction, etc.) that had a serious impact on you during this time. Please focus more on why this book made an impact on you and less on the plot/theme of the book itself (we are not looking for a book report).”

• FYI – We are not restricting you to the exact years of 8th-9th grades, but rather the general timeframe of the middle to high school transition, which can extend somewhat further than one year on each end. Feel free to use your discretion in your choice of the timeline focused on the shift to your high school years.

As always, we also share an essay from an enrolling First-Year student that we believe shows great writing skills:

As a middle-schooler on the brink of entering high school, I was like lost cattle entering a vast social and academic wilderness. In the center, a winding, sun-soaked desert path stretched far into the horizon, beckoning my gaze with its promise of adventure and discovery. Enter The Alchemist and its magnificent idea of the “Personal Legend”– a life goal so lofty that it made locating my locker on the first day of high school appear easy. Forget about the difficulty of making new hobbies or friends; the content from this novel sure played an essential role in determining my ideology related to pursuing my future.

The protagonist enthusiastically praised the significance of believing in one’s dreams, which led my younger self down the correct path. Generating profits after extensive hours of work through my business, navigating changes in learning after COVID-19, and confronting adversity due to my darker skin color all presented difficult periods where persistence and faith were important in progress. Although self-belief was a crucial aspect of pushing through difficult times, it also motivated me to be more confident. Taking risks, from soloing in my 8th-grade jazz band to giving my crush a cringeworthy love letter, changed my belief in embracing adversity.

Furthermore, the book’s emphasis on interacting with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems mirrors my journey into the real world. Whether developing a dancing board at a Purdue summer camp or a calculus Halloween graph, collaboration enforces the ability to work with others who may share different ideas. Diverse backgrounds boosted my understanding, tolerance, and empathy while increasing my engineering career readiness. Not only was The Alchemist a great book, but it enforced critical systems that I use until this day to succeed in life. The Alchemist played an essential role in instilling new concepts I needed as an adolescent. “And when you want something, all the universe conspires you to achieve it.” Thank you, Paulo Coelho.  – Josh W, Collins Hill HS.

• This essay gives us insight into the student’s feelings and thoughts, and he shares his ideas through descriptive word choice. This is an excellent essay, but please know that we are not expecting this level of writing from the applicant pool overall. This essay example is meant to show our applicant pool how to express themselves through examples, personal growth and emotion. When we are reviewing essays, we are looking more at the student’s voice coming through and less on technical writing skills.

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