Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements differ depending on the status of the applicant (freshman, transfer, etc.) and the level of academic program. The "apply by student type" pages describe the credentials considered, the admission requirements and the application procedures for each applicant status and program level in more detail.

Secondary School Preparation

Michigan students should follow the Michigan Merit Curriculum, and all students are strongly encouraged to take core courses as follows:

• Four years of English
• Four years of college preparatory mathematics
• Four years of social studies
• Four years of science
• Two years of world language

Beyond these core courses, students are encouraged to take  courses or get experience in the arts and information technology. 

Computation of High School Grade Point Averages

NMU recalculates the grade point average of high school students on a 4.00 scale by counting all grades received in the core courses outlined above for a minimum of six semesters. Grades in courses designated on the transcript by the school as honors, International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced Placement (AP) receive added weight in the computation. If the high school includes any college courses taken while in high school on the high school transcript, those grades will receive added weight as well. The recalculated GPA is used for both admissions and scholarship purposes. If a student has earned a GED, the “score average” is equated to a grade point equivalent for admissions purposes.

Computation of College Grade Point Averages

In calculating the grade point average of transfer students, Admissions computes college-level courses only, using credits attempted and honor points earned.

Standardized Achievement Testing

All applicants for baccalaureate programs (and some community college level programs) must take the ACT or SAT. Exceptions to this policy are granted to those who: (1) will have earned 12 or more semester hours of college-level credit taken after high school graduation; (2) are international students other than Canadian; (3) are persons who have been out of high school for three years or more; and (4) are applicants to some associate, certificate, certification and diploma programs.

Students intending to pursue an education program should provide their ACT/SAT scores even if exempt as noted above.

Baccalaureate Program Admission Criteria

Degree-seeking new freshman applicants will be admitted to baccalaureate level programs if they complete all of the following:

• Graduate from high school with a recomputed academic grade point average of 2.25 or better in college preparatory subjects;
• Attain a minimum ACT composite score of 19 (writing test not required) or a minimum combined SAT score of 900 (out of 1600) on the Math and Critical Reading sections (NMU is not currently considering the writing section for admission);
• Successfully complete 12-16 credits (1 credit = equivalent of full year) of core academic course work in the areas of English, mathematics, science, social studies and world language.

Non-Baccalaureate Program Admission Criteria

New freshman applicants seeking admission into associate, certificate or diploma level programs or certification programs will be admitted if it can be determined that they will be able to benefit from an academic program at this level. This determination can be made in one of two ways:

• Applicants may submit records verifying the achievement of the admission standards for baccalaureate programs; or
• Applicants must submit records verifying that they meet the specific admission requirements listed in the "notes regarding admissions."

Transcripts

Admission decisions are made on official documents. Applicants should request that official transcripts be sent directly to the NMU Admissions Office (1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI 49855) from each high school and college/university/trade school attended. Students who have earned a GED must have an official score report sent to NMU from the testing center.

Electronic transcripts via Docufide and Escrip-safe are considered official and may be submitted directly to the NMU admissions office via the Web. Please check with your high school guidance office, or college records office, to determine if your school participates with either of these service providers. 

Applicants must submit all non-U.S., non-Canadian* academic records to an external agency for a credential evaluation. A "Course-by-Course" report --or equivalent--must be selected. NMU uses the information on the report to help determine admissibility and any transfer of credit. (NMU will notify you if a subject analysis report is needed to determine transfer credit.) NMU accepts evaluations from these three agencies:

1. Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)

2. World Education Service (WES)  Students may elect to order the WES ICAP service.  This service allows applicants to submit their official educational documents only once--to WES. NMU would then receive the verified documents from WES.

3. North American Educational Group (NAEG)

Application Fee Exceptions and Waivers

Applicants must pay the $30 application processing fee unless:

• They have paid once already at the same degree level for which they are applying (students pay only once at the undergraduate level and once at the graduate level .i.e. once before receipt of baccalaureate degree and once after, if continuing); or
• They qualify for the senior citizen tuition waiver (age 62 and older).

In the event that an applicant does not attend NMU for the initial term of application, the application fee will be applied to any term occurring within one calendar year of the initial term of application.

A waiver of the $30 application fee may be available to any applicant who may suffer a hardship or is financially unable to pay the fee. To qualify for an application fee waiver, please provide a letter of support, or have a parent, guidance counselor or any other individual aware of the situation write such a letter.