Portland State Admissions | Minimum Admission Requirements: Freshman

Minimum Admission Requirements: Freshman

High school students from standard, public high schools or accredited private high schools must:

Graduate from a standard or accredited high school with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in all graded subjects. [If your GPA is below 3.0, you may qualify for admission if you have a combined score of at least 1000 on the SAT Reasoning Test's Critical Reading and Mathematics sections or at least 21 on the American College Test (ACT).]
Take the SAT or ACT and have scores sent directly to Portland State University (our school code is 4610). Important: ACT scores must include the writing portion of the exam.
Complete 14 units of college preparatory coursework with grades of C- or better or meet Oregon Proficiency-based Admission Standards System (PASS) in the following areas:
- English: 4 units
- Mathematics: 3 units culminating in at least the Algebra II level
- Science: 2 units (one year of laboratory science is recommended)
- Social Studies: 3 units
- Second Language: 2 units of the same language. This requirement applies to anyone graduating from high school or obtaining a GED in 1997 or any year after. See Second Language Proficiency for more information.

Freshman applicants who do not meet the minimum 3.00 GPA or 1000 SAT or 21 ACT are considered for admission based on the combination of GPA and test scores listed below. Using this matrix, applicants must have earned the minimum GPA and the minimum score on either exam to be regularly admitted to Portland State University. Applicants who are not admitted using this matrix may appeal to a faculty committee for special consideration.

Minimum GPA	Minimum SAT* or ACT Scores	Minimum GPA	Minimum SAT* or ACT Scores
2.99	800 or 16	2.83	900 or 18
2.98	800 or 16	2.82	900 or 18
2.97	810 or 16	2.81	910 or 19
2.96	820 or 16	2.80	920 or 19
2.95	820 or 16	2.79	920 or 19
2.94	830 or 17	2.78	930 or 19
2.93	840 or 17	2.77	930 or 19
2.92	840 or 17	2.76	940 or 19
2.91	850 or 17	2.75	950 or 19
2.90	850 or 17	2.74	950 or 20
2.89	860 or 17	2.73	960 or 20
2.88	870 or 18	2.72	970 or 20
2.87	870 or 18	2.71	970 or 20
2.86	880 or 18	2.70	980 or 20
2.85	880 or 18	2.69	980 or 20
2.84	890 or 18	2.68	990 or 20

*Indicates a minimum combined score on the SAT Reasoning Test's Critical Reading and Mathematics sections.

Admission for Those with Non-Standard High School Backgrounds

High school students from non-accredited or a non-standard high school or home schooled students may seek admission to the University through the following means:

Option One: Aptitude Tests
Earn a minimum combined score of 1000 or higher on the SAT Reasoning Test's Critical Reading and Mathematics sections or 21 composite on the ACT. Important: ACT scores must include the writing portion of the exam. and
Take two SAT subject tests, earning a minimum score of 470 in each subject area. We recommend that one subject test be in a second language to fulfill the second language profiency requirement. and
Meet the second language proficiency requirement.
OR
Option Two: General Education Development (GED)
Earn a minimum overall average score of 580 and a minimum score of 410 on each subject test (or if you took the GED prior to January 1, 2002, an overall average score of 46 and a minimum score of 40 on each subject test) and
Meet the second language proficiency requirement.
OR
Option Three: Apply as a transfer student.

Applicants who did not graduate from high school may also be considered for admission.

Option One: General Education Development (GED)
Earn a minimum overall average score of 580 and a minimum score of 410 on each subject test (or if you took the GED prior to January 1, 2002, an overall average score of 46 and a minimum score of 40 on each subject test) and
Meet the second language proficiency requirement.
OR
Option Two: Apply as a transfer student.

Special Admission

Students who do not meet admission requirements may apply for admission through the regular admission process. If denied, students receive an Appeal of Admission Decision form and have the opportunity to appeal the admission decision. See Special Appeals.