Frequently Asked Questions (Admissions)

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Qualified Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

What is Qualified Admissions?

On February 27, 1996, Kansas Governor Bill Graves signed a bill that would require K-State and other 4-year Kansas Regents Universities to follow what is called a "qualified admissions" policy. This policy set criteria in place for the Kansas 4-year Regents Universities to follow when admitting students.

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How does Qualified Admissions affect me?

Students applying for admission in the fall of 2001, who graduated from high school in 2001, were the first to be affected by Qualified Admissions. Students who graduated from high school prior to 2001 will be admitted to K-State under the previous admissions requirements. Click here to learn more about previous admissions requirements.

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How does Qualified Admission affect admission to K-State?

The qualified admissions policy indicates that a high school student must meet one of three requirements for admission. Students must:

1. Achieve an ACT score of 21, or
2. Rank in the top one-third of their high school graduating class, or
3. Take a specific college preparatory curriculum and achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (out-of-state students need a 2.5 GPA)

How does Qualified Admissions affect me if I am a transfer or adult student?

Qualified Admissions also affects transfer students and adults. Any transfer student with a college grade point average of 2.0 GPA after completing 24 or more college credits will be admitted to K-State.

If you are a transfer student who has taken less than 24 college credit hours, your admission will be based upon the completion of one of the high school criteria listed above, and a college GPA of at least 2.0.

Adults at least 21 years old who graduated from an accredited Kansas high school and who have not yet attended college, are admissible. The admission decision for adult students who graduated from other schools will be based upon a review of their high school transcript and, if available, ACT/SAT scores.

Individuals who have completed the General Education Development assessment (GED) with an overall score of 2550 or higher and scores of not less than 510 on each of the 5 sub-tests are eligible for admission to K-State. If you have completed any college work, it will be considered in your admissions decision as well.

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Can I use SAT scores instead of ACT scores for admission?

Yes. K-State prefers students take the ACT. However, if you have taken the SAT, you will need a score of 980 or above to be eligible for admission.

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What if I do not meet any of the Qualified Admissions criteria?

You should apply for admission even if you do not meet the criteria indicated above.

K-State is able to admit 10 percent of a new class to include students that do not meet the above criteria, but who in some way demonstrate potential for academic success.

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I have more questions about Qualified Admission. Who should I contact?

If you are a Kansas high school student, you should begin by talking to your high school counselor. Your counselor will know specifically what courses have been approved for your high school to meet the core curriculum.

You may also contact the Office of Admissions at K-State to talk to someone about your specific questions. Click here to find out how to contact the Office of Admissions.

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