Freshman Application Instructions

Some majors at BGSU require an additional review of your application after being admitted to the University. This is to make sure you are prepared for the academic rigor of the program. Below you can find the majors which require more information in order to make an admissions decision.

Incoming Freshman Requirements:

• At least 18 ACT total and 18 ACT Math OR At least SAT Total 970 and 500 Math
• Test Optional: 3.0 cumulative GPA and C or better in the following math classes: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II

Pre-Business in the Deciding Students Program:

• If students don’t meet the requirements above, they will be offered entrance into the Pre-Business Program where they will get support in math, be able to take Business courses, have access to a Life Design Coach and receive guidance from Business Academic Advisors. They will be able to officially apply to the Schmidthorst College of Business as current students.
  

International Students:

• At least a 3.5 GPA
• Passing math courses
• Successful completion of admissions steps

Transfer Requirements:

Schmidthorst College of Business Direct Admission:

• 2.5 overall transfer GPA
• Business Calculus Ready
• Complete College Algebra equivalent
• Place into BA 1600 on the math placement score based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT
• Take the Math Placement score and score a 32 or higher

Pre-Business in the Deciding Students Program:

• If students don’t meet the requirements above, they will be offered entrance into the Pre-Business Program where they will get support in math, be able to take Business courses, have access to a Life Design Coach and receive guidance from Business Academic Advisors. They will be able to officially apply to the Schmidthorst College of Business as current students.

Incoming Freshman Requirements:

All students who wish to major or minor in music or take lessons must audition to be accepted to the College of Musical Arts, as well as apply to Bowling Green State University.

The College of Musical Arts is offering three methods of audition this year:

• In-person – highly preferred
• Live virtual
  
• Recorded video submission

More information can be found here.

Admission to the BFA degree is competitive, but does not require a Portfolio Review for entrance into the School of Art. Prospective students wishing to pursue a BFA degree in the School of Art will be admitted as pre-BFA students and will be fully admitted to the School of Art without a Portfolio Review. Please contact the School of Art with questions.

Entrance into the Honors College is selective. After students apply to the university, they can fill out the separate Honors application. For more information, visit the Honors College website or call the college office at 419-372-8504.

Incoming Freshman Requirements:

• 3.75 GPA or higher
• Ready to take CHEM 1230/1240
• This will be determined by classes taken in high school, test scores if available, or a math placement test.
  

Chemistry Pathway to Forensic Science:

• If students don’t meet the requirements above, they will be offered entrance into the Chemistry program as part of the Forensic Science pathway. You can take classes to help you gain acceptance to the Forensic Science program as a current student. More information about the pathway can be found here.

• Holistic review based on transcripts with a specific focus on Chemistry.
  

Transfer Requirements:

Forensic Science Direct Admission:

Obtained a cumulative college GPA of a 3.0 or better, and:

• Earned a “C” or better in CHEM 1230 (including CHEM 1240 lab) or CHEM 1350 and
• Earned a "C" or better in CHEM 1270 (including CHEM 1280 lab) or CHEM 1370 (including CHEM 1380 lab) and
• Earned a “C” or better in the Organic Chemistry sequence: CHEM 3410 and CHEM 3440 (including CHEM 3460 lab).

Chemistry Pathway to Forensic Science:

• If students don’t meet the requirements above, they will be offered entrance into the Chemistry program as part of the Forensic Science pathway. You will be able to take classes to help you gain acceptance to the Forensic Science program as a current student. More information about the pathway can be found here.

Incoming Freshman Requirements:

Computer Science/Software Engineering Direct Admission:

• SAT score of 550 in MATH
• ACT score of 22 in MATH
• Completed MATH 1220 (College Algebra) with a C or better
• High grades in high school Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry or higher math courses

Pre-Computer Science/Software Engineering:

• Pre-computer science/software engineering will be offered to students who don’t initially meet the requirements. Students will receive support from a student success team as you prepare to fully integrate into the Department of Computer Science. After you successfully complete MATH 1220 with a C or better, you can transition into the department.
  
• If you gain any of these requirements before starting at BGSU, please email the pre-CS/SE advisor to declare your computer science or software engineering major.

A holistic review with a focus on math and computer science classes will determine if students can start directly in the Computer Science or Software Engineering major at BGSU.

Pre-Computer Science/Software Engineering:

• Students who don’t initially meet the requirements will be offered acceptance into Pre-Computer Science/Software Engineering. They will receive support from a student success team as they plan to fully integrate into the Department of Computer Science.

Transfer Requirements:

Computer Science/Software Engineering Direct Admission:

Students need to meet one of the following:

• MATH 1220 or higher with a C or better
• SAT score of 550 in MATH
• ACT score of 22 in MATH
• 32 Math placement score

Pre-Computer Science/Software Engineering:

• Pre-computer science/software engineering will be offered to students who don’t initially meet the requirements. Students will receive support from a student success team as you prepare to fully integrate into the Department of Computer Science. After you successfully complete MATH 1220 with a C or better, you can transition into the department.
• If you gain any of these requirements before starting at BGSU, please let us know and we will gladly move you into the program.

Students who intend to pursue a major in theatre and a specialization in musical theatre through the College of Arts & Sciences must contact the Department of Theatre and Film for enrollment and audition information. Phone: 419-372-2222.

Aviation Studies: Flight Technology & Operations requires a secondary admissions review by the program. You will receive more information by email after you apply.

Direct Admit Freshman Requirements:

Nursing Direct Admission:

• Direct admission is offered to incoming Freshman students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.9.

• Students must maintain nursing admission requirements to maintain the direct admission seat.

• Students who fail to meet the requirements necessary to maintain their guaranteed seat in the program can apply through the competitive application process and their admission will be determined based on their rubric score.

• Deadline to apply for direct admission is January 15, prior to the start of the Freshman year at BGSU. Students have to apply to BGSU in Nursing by January 15th to be considered. Direct admission is only offered for fall start.

All students interested in the Pharmacy partnership need the following:

• 3.0 high school GPA
• Complete an Interview and Written Essay with University of Findlay College of Pharmacy
• Note they would like to participate in the partnership program on the BGSU application.

Learn more about the partnership here .

Advanced Placement (AP) & College Credit Earned in High School

BGSU credit is awarded based on the score earned on the final AP examination. Please see the Undergraduate Catalog for details.

Students who earned Advanced Placement credit before enrolling at BGSU should have their official scores sent to the Office of Registration and Records.

Office of Registration and Records
110 Administration Bldg.
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403-0130

Students who earn college credit through College Credit Plus or other post secondary enrollment options must send an official transcript from each institution attended to the BGSU Office of Admissions when courses are completed. A credit evaluation will be completed by the Office of Registration and Records.

Please see our transfer of credits page to help you estimate how your credits may transfer.

BGSU Firelands, Huron, Ohio

419-433-5560 or 1-800-322-4787
BGSU Firelands is the regional campus of BGSU and is located in Huron, Ohio. BGSU Firelands requires the same application materials, although admissions requirements vary from main campus. Please call BGSU Firelands with any questions. Applications for admission are accepted up to two weeks before the beginning of classes. Students intending to pursue a two-year associate degree are not expected to have completed the same high school coursework as those applying to a four-year bachelor’s degree program. The application for admission and all credentials should be submitted directly to BGSU Firelands, One University Dr., Huron, OH 44839-9719.

High School Graduates

If you have already graduated from high school, send the required documents directly to the BGSU Office of Admissions. A final, official high school transcript is also required. If you graduated from high school more than three years ago, you do not need to submit ACT or SAT test scores.

High School Equivalency

If you earned high school equivalency through the General Educational Development (GED) testing program, please have an official copy of your GED results and high school transcript showing any coursework completed sent to the Office of Admissions.

Five-Year Admission Policy

If you have not taken coursework anywhere (high school or college) during the past five years, you are eligible for admission to the University. Students admitted under this five-year admission policy are required to take courses under the close supervision of a college academic advisor.

Special Admissions Categories

International students should contact International Student Services, 419-372-2247, for information on requirements and application procedures.

Students who wish to take classes at Bowling Green but do not plan to seek a BGSU degree can attend as “guest" students. Registration for “guest” students does not require an application to BGSU and is arranged by the Office of Registration and Records.

All admission credentials submitted to the Office of Admissions become the property of Bowling Green State University and cannot be returned. Bowling Green State University is committed to equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, or veteran status. The Office of Equity and Diversity, 140 McFall Center, BGSU, is responsible for University compliance with Title IX, Section 504. Accessibility Services, 38 College Park Office Building, is responsible for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bowling Green State University subscribes to the Statement of Principles of Good Practice and Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities for members of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.