Policy Statement

As a selective admission institution, Missouri State University seeks to admit students with demonstrated potential for academic success.  We recognize that some students have potential for success not clearly evident through standard measures of class rank, grade point average, and test scores.  The following admission alternatives are available to students who do not meet the required high school core curriculum and selection index requirements (combination of grade point average or class rank and ACT or SAT) as described in the application for admission and the freshman admission requirements page.

•  INDIVIDUAL REVIEW: If you do not meet our selection index requirement you are invited to provide additional information about yourself and your accomplishments using our supplemental application form. You must provide the supplemental application form by April 1 to be considered for the summer and fall semesters and by December 1 for the spring semester. Your information will be reviewed by our Admissions Committee (a committee made up of University faculty and staff) as it makes a decision regarding your admission. Students who do not meet the selection index requirement and are not approved through the individual review option may be given further consideration by a secondary review committee upon the recommendation of a member of the University faculty or staff.
• SUMMER SESSION ADMISSION:  If you meet the core curriculum requirement but do not meet the selection index requirement, you can be admitted for the summer session beginning in early June.  You do not need to provide the supplemental application form for review by the Admissions Committee. To be admitted under this alternative, you must submit your application by June 1. If you choose admission under this option, you will participate in a program administered by our Academic Advisement Center that will enhance your foundation for academic success.  You will be expected to fulfill specific requirements of that program during the summer session to be eligible to enroll for the following fall semester.
• CORE CURRICULUM EXCEPTIONS:  If you meet the selection index requirement but circumstances beyond your control made it impossible for you to complete the core curriculum requirement, you may write a letter requesting an exception to this requirement for review by our Admissions Committee. Your letter must be accompanied by a letter from your counselor or another school official explaining the circumstances which prevented you from completing the core curriculum requirement.
• TRANSFER ADMISSION:  If you choose to begin at another college or university and earn 24 or more hours of transferable credit (completed after high school graduation) with at least a 2.00 grade point average, you will qualify for transfer admission. Please visit our transfer student page for information about transfer policies and procedures. The Missouri State University system includes an open admission campus in West Plains (about 100 miles southeast of Springfield).  Students who do not qualify for admission to the Springfield Campus may begin at the West Plains Campus, which offers programs that enable students to transfer seamlessly to Springfield.  For information on the West Plains Campus, please visit www.wp.missouristate.edu or call 417-255-7955.