Freshman Requirements

Freshman and Transfer Freshman Application Steps

We are excited you are considering Kennesaw State University as your college home! We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions about completing your application for admission, you can find your counselor on the Contact Us page.

You should apply for Freshman Admission if you are:

A senior in high school, or
Graduated high school within the last 5 years and have not enrolled in another college or university after graduating.

You should apply for Transfer Freshman admission if you:

Graduated from high school in the last five years, or
Attended another college and have earned less than 30 semester hours or 50 quarter hours of transferable college credit.

Homeschool and Architecture applicants must meet additional requirements.

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3.0 GPA Required for Fall 2027 Admission

Beginning Fall 2027, first-year students must meet a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered for admission to Kennesaw State University.

Freshman and Transfer Freshman Deadlines

Semester	Application Opens	Application Deadlines	Document Deadline	Classes Begin
Fall 2026 - Priority Deadline*	August 1, 2025	November 3, 2025	November 3, 2025	August 24, 2026
Fall 2026 - Regular Deadline	August 1, 2025	July 1, 2026	July 1, 2026	August 24, 2026
Spring 2027	August 1, 2026	November 16, 2026	December 1, 2026	January 11, 2027
Summer 2027	August 1, 2026	May 3, 2027	May 3, 2027	May 17, 2027
Fall 2027 - Priority Deadline*	August 1, 2026	November 2, 2026	November 16, 2026	August 23, 2027
Fall 2027	August 1, 2026	July 1, 2027	July 1, 2027	August 23, 2027

*Apply by the Priority Deadline to have early access to On-Campus Housing and Orientation sign-ups.

View Our First-Year Applicant Timeline

Admission Requirements

GPA Requirement Effective Through Summer 2027

Minimum 2.5 with qualifying test scores

NEW GPA Requirement Effective Fall 2027

Minimum 3.0 with qualifying test scores

Required High School Curriculum

Kennesaw State recalculates high school GPA based on the 17 units of the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC). If additional weighting has not already been applied by the high school, we add the equivalent of one letter grade for each AP or IB course and 0.5 quality points for each Honors course when calculating the GPA.

4 units of English | 4 units of Math | 4 units of Science | 3 units of Social Science | 2 units of same Foreign Language, 2 units of American Sign Language, or 2 units of USG approved Computer Science

Please see the USG-Freshman Admission Requirements Staying on Course: The Required High School Curriculum.

If you are a homeschool student, please complete the Homeschool Portfolio.

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Testing Requirements

Kennesaw State accepts the SAT or the ACT for freshmen and transfer freshmen applicants, and beginning Fall 2027 we will also accept the CLT. Scores from the ACT and the SAT will not be combined. Applicants must meet minimum* English/Critical Reading and Math section requirements.

Test scores are required at Kennesaw State University for first-year applicants.

ACT: 18 - English or Reading | 18 Math

_{*Full ACT test score reports are required for any test score submissions. KSU does not accept ACT Superscores.}

SAT: 500 - Evidence Based Reading and Writing | 490 Math Section Score

CLT: 39 - Verbal and 16 - Math

*Accepted started Fall 2027

Architecture Degree Program Applicants:

Please note that there are higher admissions requirements for the Architecture Degree program and seats are limited. Applicants are encouraged to complete their application and submit all required documents by January 31 for admission the following fall semester.

High School GPA: 3.0

SAT:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score: 500
Math Section Score: 570

ACT:
English or Reading sub-score of 18
Math sub-score of 23

ACT Registration SAT Registration First-Year Timeline Apply Now

Testing FAQs

Is KSU test-optional?

No. First-Year students applying to Kennesaw State University are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores along with official high school transcripts.
Are standardized SAT or ACT test scores required for admissions?

Yes. First-Year students applying to Kennesaw State University are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores along with official high school transcripts.
Do I need to submit official SAT or ACT scores if I have completed dual enrollment courses?

Yes. You will need to submit official test scores even if you have completed less than 30 transferable credit hours of dual enrollment coursework.
Can I self-report my scores on my application?

Yes. You may enter your scores on the application, but we will require official scores sent directly from the testing agency before we can make a final admissions decision. Please be sure to send your test scores prior to the admissions deadline.
How do I submit official test scores?

Official scores must be submitted electronically by the respective testing agency. Use the following school codes to submit your official test scores:

SAT school code: 5359
ACT school code: 0833
How to Send My SAT Scores How to Send My ACT Scores
Does Kennesaw State University superscore?

For the SAT, we will take the highest Evidence-based Reading & Writing section and Mathematics section if there is more than one set of scores.

For the ACT, we will take the highest ACT English or Reading and ACT Math scores if there is more than one set of scores.

KSU doesn’t superscore SAT with ACT scores.
If I take either the SAT or ACT more than once, what scores will you use?

We encourage you to send all your official test scores because we will utilize the top scores from various testing dates (called superscoring) to give you the most favorable scores for your admissions review.
I already sent my test scores. How do I know if you have received them?

You can check your application status via the Pathway to Enrollment Portal. In the Portal, you are provided with a checklist of items we have and have not received. If there is a green check mark next to "Official Test Scores," we have received your scores.
Check My Application Status
Do I need to take both the SAT and ACT?

No. You only need to submit scores from one test (ACT or SAT). However, if you take both exams, you are welcome to send all scores. We will use the scores that are most favorable to you under our admissions policies.
When should I plan to take the SAT/ACT?

We recommend that students test early! Start testing in your junior year of high school to provide sufficient time to see how you perform, if you want to consider taking a different test (ACT versus SAT), and if you would like to retest for the possibility of higher scores. Since we allow superscoring, your highest section scores will be taken from all test dates. Be sure to submit all official scores in order to receive superscoring.

Visit our First-Year Applicant Timeline to see available test dates prior to the Fall 2026 application deadline.
How can I prepare for the SAT or ACT?

Free and low-cost practice resources are available directly from College Board (for SAT) and ACT, including full-length practice tests and personalized study tools.
SAT Practice Materials from College Board ACT Practice Materials
Does Kennesaw State accept the CLT?

Kennesaw State will accept CLT scores starting for Fall 2027 admission and beyond.

Freshman/ Transfer Freshman Application Process

Online application and fee
Submit your application and $40 application fee online by the deadline published for your desired semester of entry.
High school transcript(s)
Work with your high school to send us your official* transcript(s) documenting all coursework taken during your high school career. *Your official transcript(s) must come from your high school.

If you are a homeschool student, please complete the Homeschool Portfolio.

Official transcripts from high schools or colleges must be sent directly from the institution to:

Kennesaw State University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
3391 Town Point Drive, MD 9111
Suite 1000
Kennesaw, GA 30144

ksuadmit@kennesaw.edu
All college transcript(s)
If you have earned any college credit (including dual enrollment credit) while in high school, it is your responsibility to request that the college or university send official transcripts to KSU.
Standardized test scores
Kennesaw State accepts either the SAT or the ACT for freshmen and transfer freshmen applicants. Applicants must meet the minimum English/Critical Reading and Math section requirements.

Application Fee Waiver

Submission of the application fee waiver is completed within the Common Application. Please carefully read the fee waiver qualifications within the application and be prepared to provide the name of your high school guidance counselor and your guidance counselor’s email address.

NOTE: Selecting “fee waiver eligible” when you do not meet the requirements will delay processing your application. Ineligible fee waiver applicants will be required to pay the application fee before your application can be processed.

Students should contact their high school counselor if they have questions regarding eligibility.

Out-of-State Waivers and Scholarships

Each year, the Kennesaw State University Office of Undergraduate Admissions invites incoming out-of-state and international students that demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement and leadership skills to apply for an Out-of-State Waiver and Scholarship.

Home Educated Students

Applicants applying to Kennesaw State who attend a homeschool or high school not accredited by one of the accrediting associations listed below must document their Required High School Curriculum units through the submission of a curriculum packet.

The USG recognizes accreditation from the following accrediting bodies:

A regional accrediting association, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACSCASI). Accredited schools can be found on:
Cognia (formerly AdvancedED) website.
Association of Christian Schools International
Georgia Accrediting Commission
Georgia Association of Christian Schools
Georgia Independent School Association
Georgia Private School Accrediting Council
Southern Association of Independent Schools

Applicants attending a non-accredited homeschool are required to complete the following steps in order: 

Complete the application.
Setup your NetID.
- 48 hours after applying, you will have your KSU# and NetID
Once you have set up your NetID, access and complete the homeschool portfolio and attach the following documents:
- Declaration of Intent to Homeschool
  - Georgia law requires parents or guardians who teach their children at home to submit to the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) an annual Declaration of Intent form. A Declaration of Intent must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days after establishment of a home study program and by September 1 annually thereafter.
- Affidavit of Successful Completion
  - Note: Submit with this portfolio only after high school graduation. If your high school graduation date is in the future, your confirmation email will include a link to complete the form at that time.
Submit official SAT or ACT Scores.
Submit official college transcripts.