How to Apply
Freshmen students are defined as those who have graduated from a secondary school, approved homeschooling program, or earned high school equivalencythrough a program such as the GED testing program. Applicants who earned college credit before high school graduation are considered freshmen with advanced standing and should have their college transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions.
High school students are encouraged to apply for admission beginning July 1 between their junior and senior years. Prospective students who wish to enroll fall semester are encouraged to apply and have all admissions credentials completed by March 1 to assure consideration. The application deadline for main campus is December 1 for spring semester and May 15 for summer term, although earlier closings may occur. All admission credentials must be received 14 days before the spring semester or the summer session to allow sufficient time for processing.
Important Deadline Information for International Applicants: International applicants must meet earlier application and credential deadlines to allow for additional processing time of all required paperwork. Fall semester applicants must submit all credentials by July 5. Spring semester applicants must submit all credentials by November 1.
- Apply online
- Submit an official high school transcript
- Transcripts must include at least sixth semester GPA on a 4.0 scale, your courses in progress, and class rank
- BGSU accepts official transcripts in either secure electronic or paper formats
- A final high school transcript is required prior to enrolling at BGSU to confirm graduation date, final GPA, and class rank
- Submit official ACT or SAT test results
- BGSU's College Codes: ACT - 3240&SAT - 1069
- BGSU accepts scores listed on an official high school transcript or sent directly from ACT or College Board (SAT)
- The results of one of these tests are required for all freshmen except those who have been out of high school for three or more years. The ACT writing test is recommended but NOT required.
- International students are not required to submit ACT or SAT results.
- Submit your $45 nonrefundable application fee
- $75 USD for international applicants (nonrefundable); application and all other supporting credentials must be submitted by Oct. 21 for spring term; and July 5 for fall term.
- $75 USD for international applicants (nonrefundable); application and all other supporting credentials must be submitted by Oct. 21 for spring term; and July 5 for fall term.
- Review additional application information below
- All academic credentials (transcripts, test scores, etc.) must be sent by the school or testing agency to be accepted as official.
- Students whose native language is not English must submit officialIELTS,TOEFL,Michigan English Test, orPearson Test of Englishresults as evidence of English language skills. This is required of international students issued immigrant visas, international students transferring from another American college or university, those (with English as a foreign language) from U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, and any other U.S. citizen or non-citizen whose native language is not English. Please see the Undergraduate Catalog for test score requirements.
- Review our page for additional assistance
- Deadline for issuing I-20 for international students: Nov. 4 for spring semester; July 12 for fall semester.
Additional Application Information
College/Program Specific Application Information
Entrance into theSchmidthorst College of Business is selective. Students who have been admitted to the University will be notified in writing of admission status into the Schmidthorst College of Business. For more information, visit theSchmidthorst College of Business website or call the college office at 419-372-2747.
Students who intend to pursue a major or minor in music must contact theCollege of Musical Artsfor enrollment and audition information. Phone: 419-372-2181
Admission to the BFA degree is competitive, but does not require a Portfolio Review forentranceinto 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 theHonors College website or call the college office at 419-372-8504.
Entrance into the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science program (Forensic DNA Analysis, Forensic Drug Analysis, and Forensic Examination specializations)is selective. You will be notified in writing of your admission status by the Center for the Future of Forensic Science.
Entrance into the following Computer Science majors is selective. You will be notified in writing of your admission status by theDepartment of Computer Science (419-372-2337).
- Computer Science
- Computer Science: Business Systems
- Computer Science: Computational Data Science
- Computer Science: Digital Forensics
- Computer Science: Software Engineering
Students who intend to pursue a major in theatre and a specialization in musical theatre through the College of Arts & Sciences must contact theDepartment of Theatre and Filmfor enrollment and audition information. Phone: 419-372-2222.
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 theUndergraduate Catalogfor details.
Students who earnedAdvanced Placementcredit before enrolling at BGSU should have their official scores sent to theOffice 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 theOffice of Registration and Records.
Please see our transfer of creditspage 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 theGeneral 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 contactInternational 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 theOffice 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.
