Successful candidates complete the following minimal program in high school (each unit is equivalent to one academic year of study):
Seattle University offers the distinct advantage of considering freshman applicants for direct admission to specific majors. Accordingly, there are specific additional requirements for admission to certain majors. Please see the section "Direct Entry Admission Requirements" for more details.
Seattle University uses the highest sub-scores on both the ACT and SAT Reasoning test when making admission and scholarship decisions and in the advisement and course placement of first time freshmen. Since we use the highest separate scores from different test administrations (e.g., the highest evidenced-based reading and writing and the math scores from the SAT; the highest English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning sub-scores from the ACT) we strongly encourage students to provide Seattle University with all their results from all administrations of the ACT and or SAT.
Test scores must be received from first-time freshman applicants no later than November 15 for those applying for early action and no later than January 15 for those applying for regular admission consideration. We will provisionally accept self-reported scores from the Common Application to complete applications, but students are required to send official scores if they choose to attend SU.
Although it is not required for international students to submit the SAT or ACT, the Admissions Office recommends international students take either exam and submit their scores. SAT or ACT scores are also required for international students to be eligible for merit scholarships.
If an applicant has a gap in education of 5 or more years, they may be asked to establish a current academic record at another college or university prior to applying for admission at Seattle University. In addition, recent prerequisite coursework may be needed to apply to specific majors. Please contact your Admissions Counselor for more information.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must demonstrate English proficiency regardless of length of residency in the U.S., their citizenship or their immigration status.
Successful candidates complete the following minimal program in high school (each unit is equivalent to one academic year of study):
If an applicant has a gap in education of 5 or more years, they may be asked to establish a current academic record at another college or university prior to applying for admission at Seattle University. In addition, recent prerequisite coursework may be needed to apply to specific majors. Please contact your Admissions Counselor for more information.
Seattle University offers the distinct advantage of considering freshman applicants Direct Entry to specific majors. Accordingly, there are specific additional requirements for admission to certain majors. Some programs require additional credit requirements and minimum test scores for Direct Entry consideration.
For instance, if a student indicates "Nursing" on the Common Application, that student will be considered for admission to Seattle University in the Nursing program. If admitted, that student will be eligible to begin taking classes—or pre-requisites—in the Nursing program from the start of their enrollment at SU and have a path to a degree in four years.
Students who do not meet minimum direct entry requirements for their preferred major will be considered for Premajor Studies, Pre-Science, and Pre-Engineering. The Admissions Office will send notification if a student's preferred major has been changed in the application review process. A student who begins in a "pre-" program has access to 4-year graduation options in all majors with the exception of Nursing. Due to the cohort nature of the Nursing program, students are not eligible to change their major to Nursing after starting in a different program at Seattle University.
The minimum direct entry requirements are:
Applicants to the Albers School of Business and Economics must complete 3 units of college preparatory mathematics to be considered for admission. Please see below for test score requirements.
Applicants to the Business and Law major must complete 4 units of college preparatory mathematics to be considered for admission including the equivalent of precalculus (B grades or higher), as well as have scores of 640+ on the SAT Math or 28 or higher on the ACT Math section. Students who do not meet the test requirements but have strong math grades may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants to the Sport and Exercise Science program must have 4 units of college preparatory mathematics (B grades or higher), including the equivalent of precalculus. Applicants must also complete laboratory biology and chemistry to be considered for direct entry.
Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science program must have 4 units of college preparatory mathematics (B grades or higher), including the equivalent of precalculus. Applicants must also complete laboratory biology and chemistry (B grades or higher) to be considered for direct entry.
Applicants to the College of Nursing must complete three years of college preparatory mathematics, as well as a full year each of laboratory biology and laboratory chemistry (with B grades or higher) to be viable candidates. Please see below for test score requirements.
Applicants for Diagnostic Ultrasound must complete laboratory physics and chemistry (B grades or higher). Please see below for test score requirements.
Applicants to the College of Science and Engineering must complete 4 units of college preparatory mathematics (B grades or higher) for admission to any of its specific majors. (Students who have only completed three units may be considered for pre-science).
Applicants for Engineering majors must complete laboratory physics and chemistry (B grades or higher). Please see below for test score requirements.
Applicants for Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry must complete laboratory biology and chemistry (B grades or higher) to be considered for admission. Please see below for test score requirements.
| SAT Math Score Minimum | ACT Math Score Minimum | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| All majors in the College of Science and Engineering* | 560 | 24 | |
| College of Nursing | 560 | 24 | |
| All majors in Albers School of Business and Economics | 540 | 23 | |
| Business (all other majors) | 540 | 23 | |
| Business and Law | 640 | 28 | |
| Kinesiology | 560 | 24 | |
| Forensic Science (B.S.) | 560 | 24 |
*with the exception of Pre-Science and Pre-Engineering
Please note that students who do not meet the qualifications listed above may still be admissible to the university and ultimately able to pursue majors listed above (with the exception of Nursing).
Students who have not yet selected a major should contact the Admissions Office to learn more about our Premajor, Pre-Business, Pre-Science and Pre-Engineering programs.