First-year student college admission requirements
We're here to help make each step toward becoming a Sun Devil a smooth experience. Follow the steps below to apply to become a first-year student at ASU.
Admission requirements
Course competency requirements
To be admitted to ASU, you need the following coursework:
- 4 years math
- 4 years English (non-ESL/ELL courses)
- 3 years lab sciences (1 year each from biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences or physics)
- 2 years social sciences (including 1 year American history)
- 2 years same second language
- 1 year fine arts or 1 year career and technical education
Aptitude requirements
To be admitted to ASU, you will need one of the following:
- top 25% in high school graduating class
- 3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = "A")
- ACT: 22 (24 nonresidents)
- SAT: 1120 (1180 nonresidents)
These are the general university admission requirements. Students who do not meet these aptitude requirements may be reviewed individually before a final admission decision is made. Some degree programs have higher aptitude requirements. To find the requirements for your specific program, please visit ASU’s Degree Search.
Applicants must successfully complete the ASU competency requirements. Admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas. Deficiencies cannot be in both math and laboratory science. Students must earn a minimum 2.00 in each subject area. Most competencies may also be met by test scores or college courses. See detailed competency requirements for more information.
How to apply to ASU
Step 01
Complete an undergraduate admission application
Apply online with ASU’s Application for Admission or Common Application. You need to submit only one application to be considered for admission to ASU.
To expedite the admission decision, self-report your high school grades in the application.
Choose to not self-report → quicker application process, but takes a little longer for an admission decision.
Choose to self-report → application takes longer to complete, but the admission decision comes much faster.
ASU does not have a preference for which application you use to apply, and we do not require an essay or personal statement for either of these options.
Step 02
Submit the nonrefundable application fee
Arizona residents: $50
Domestic nonresidents: $80
ASU Online: $70
International nonresidents: $85
You can pay using a credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or eCheck at the time you submit your application or when you log in to My ASU. Or you can mail a check or money order to Admission Services (payable to Arizona State University) at the address below.
Admission Services Applicant Processing
Arizona State University
PO Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004
If you applied for admission through the Common Application, pay the application fee through that application.
Fee waivers
There is no form, paper or code to submit for an application fee waiver. If your financial circumstances qualify you for an application fee waiver, you will answer a series of questions in the application that will automatically qualify you and post to your account.
Step 03
Transcripts
If you do not self-report your high school grades in the application, you must have your high school send an official copy of your transcripts to ASU.
If you have earned college or university credit, request to have your official transcripts sent to ASU from the issuing institution.
Step 04
ACT or SAT scores (optional)
ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission, but may be submitted for ASU course placement or as supplemental information. Have your scores sent to ASU from ACT or College Board when you register for the test. Learn more about sending your test scores to ASU in our FAQ section.
Step 05
Check application status
Once you’ve completed all these steps, ASU will review your application. To see if you have any missing items and to review your admission status, sign in to My ASU using your ASURITE UserID, which is sent to you after you apply for admission.
Step 06
Fill out the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to award grants, loans, Federal Work-Study and certain scholarships. We encourage you to compare financial aid and college costs. ASU’s Federal School Code is 001081.
Submit your completed FAFSA by ASU’s Feb. 1 priority filing date to be considered for the most need-based aid.
Here are important deadlines you need to know for fall 2025
To help you stay on track with the admission and financial aid processes, here are the important deadlines you need to know.
Priority admission date
Complete your application for fall 2025 admission by the Nov. 1 priority admission date to ensure you're considered for the maximum amount of scholarship opportunities.
Regular admission date
ASU’s regular admission date is Jan. 15. Make sure to complete your fall 2025 admission application by this date.
ASU’s Scholarship Universe
ASU’s Scholarship Universe opened for admitted students on Oct. 1, 2024. Students can build their profile, match with and apply for scholarships.
FAFSA priority date
The 2025–2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid is now open. ASU's priority FAFSA filing date is Feb. 1, 2025.
ASU’s Federal School Code is 001081.
Obama Scholars Program priority date
Obama Scholars Program
Students must complete two steps by the dates below to be considered and evaluated for the Obama Scholars Program.
Jan. 15 application deadline — Students must submit their complete ASU admission application. A complete application includes the admission application and application fee.
Feb. 1 FAFSA submission deadline — Students must have their FAFSA submitted by Jan. 15 to be eligible for Obama Scholars review.
Arizona Promise Program priority date
Arizona Promise Program
To be considered for the Arizona Promise Program, you must submit a completed application for admission, including application fee or waiver, official transcripts, and the FAFSA, by April 1, 2025. The sooner you complete all these items, the sooner you receive your notification.
Barrett, The Honors College
Barrett, The Honors College is a community of scholars at all four ASU campuses which offers a unique curriculum and honors-only benefits to complement and enhance the Sun Devil experience. Students must apply to Barrett through a free and separate application to be considered for admission.
The Barrett application opened Sept. 4, 2024.
Prospective students should apply to ASU at least 4 weeks before their preferred Barrett deadline, which are listed below:
Early Action: Nov. 1, 2024
Regular Decision: Jan. 15, 2025
Late Consideration: March 15, 2025
National Scholars and College Board National Recognition Program Awardee
Arizona residents who’ve been designated as National Scholar or College Board National Recognition Program Awardees must apply to ASU in order to be eligible for their scholarship.
Nation Merit Finalists must select ASU by May 1 to be awarded their scholarship.
Next Generation Service Corps
Students who join the Next Generation Service Corps at ASU are committed to more than academic achievement and career preparation. This program builds a culture of service in future leaders who will go on to tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges.
The application opened Oct. 15.
The priority deadline is Jan. 15 2025.
Housing portal opens
ASU's housing portal will open in early January.
New American University Scholarships
New American University Scholarships are awarded in late fall. Students are
automatically considered for NAMU awards (there is no additional application). Submitting your test scores is encouraged.
Students will be notified by letter and email if NAMU is awarded.
Enrollment deposit
ASU's enrollment deposit opens in early October.
New Student Orientation Experience
Through ASU’s New Student Orientation Experience, accessed online at links.asu.edu/nsoe or in My ASU, you will prepare to take classes by completing essential next steps for enrollment.
There are three steps as part of the New Student Orientation Experience:
- ASU Essentials (opens in October).
- Academic Orientation Session (select your date now for a session in spring or summer).
- ASU Ready (opens mid-summer).
Tips for applying to college
Higher admission requirements
If your first-choice major has higher requirements, you will be instructed to select a second major without higher requirements.
Common Application
ASU accepts the Common Application and our own online application for incoming first-year students. Only one application will be accepted, with no preference between the ASU application and the Common Application. If two applications are submitted, one will be canceled in our system. Application fees are nonrefundable.
Self-report your grades
ASU accepts self-reported high school grades on the undergraduate admission application. Submission of an ACT or SAT score is highly recommended for merit-based scholarship consideration.
Individual review
ASU admission decisions begin the first week of September. Students who do not meet the admission standards will be evaluated through individual review and may experience a longer wait time for an admission decision.
Homeschool or online/virtual high school students
ASU welcomes applications from home-educated students and students who have attended an accredited online/virtual high school. You can easily fill out the application and then include additional information to accurately demonstrate your accomplishments.
GED*
Battery average score:
50 or above for tests taken between 1998 and 2001.
500 or above for tests taken between 2002 and 2013.
170 or above for tests taken after 2013.
HiSet*
Total score of 75.
TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion)*
Minimum total score of 2700.
Minimum score of 500 on each of the five content areas.
Score of 2 or above on essay.
California High School Proficiency Examination
The California High School Proficiency Examination and other high school equivalency diplomas are recognized as high school diplomas, but do not satisfy course competency and aptitude requirements needed for admission. Students should submit their diploma to show completion of high school, but will also need to submit additional high school transcripts or SAT or ACT scores to satisfy course competency and aptitude requirements for admission. Alternatively, enrollment and successful completion of 24 semester credits with a 2.75 minimum GPA through Earned Admission, or completion of 24 or more college credits from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA on a 4.00 scale may be used to satisfy requirements for admission.
College Credit Pathway
Some states, including Arizona, offer a College Credit Pathway as an option for students to obtain a high school equivalency (HSE). If the HSE is obtained, ASU will accept that credential as completion of the high school graduation requirement but the student may still need additional high school coursework and/or SAT/ACT scores to meet course competency requirements and high school aptitude if the student does not have 24 transferable credits taken post high school. *Some higher requirement programs may require ACT/SAT scores or additional coursework in order to satisfy aptitude and/or course competency requirements.
Get a jump-start on your college experience
Now is the perfect time to imagine what your future will look like, and ASU is here to help you get there. See how you can start earning scholarship money, find the perfect degree program and campus, and more — all while you’re in high school.
Frequently asked questions about applying to college
When should I apply to college as a first-year student?
The ASU application opens on or around July 1 each year. You are encouraged to apply to ASU as early as possible. Nov. 1 is ASU’s priority admission date, and Jan. 15 is ASU’s regular admission date. The earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll receive an admission decision and the more likely you’ll be to secure the most financial aid possible.
Is it OK to submit applications to several different universities?
Yes, you should apply to all the universities you are interested in possibly attending. Just be aware that universities charge application fees, which can add up. Many universities are part of the Common Application, including ASU, which can save you time by using the information you enter once for several applications.
Other than the admission application, what information will I need to provide to complete the application process?
In addition to the application, you will need to submit the nonrefundable application fee, as well as self-report your high school grades or have your high school transcripts sent to ASU. ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission, but may be submitted for ASU course placement or as supplemental information.