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.

Test Scores Required for Fall 2026

First-year students applying to Kennesaw State University for Fall 2026 and beyond are required to submit official ACT or SAT scores as part of the admission process.

Students applying for Spring 2026 or Summer 2026 may be admitted without an ACT or SAT score if they have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.* Applicants with a GPA below 3.2 should submit official test scores along with their high school transcript to be considered for admission. All students must be on track to complete the Required High School Curriculum to qualify for admission.

*Kennesaw State calculates your high school GPA for admission based on 17 required high school courses.

Note: Test scores are still required for certain scholarships (e.g., Zell Miller) and programs (e.g., Architecture). Scores may also be used for math placement (visit KSU Math Placement for more information).

Admission Criteria and Deadlines

    • 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.
    • 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.
  • Semester Application Opens Application Deadlines Document Deadline Classes Begin
    Spring 2026 August 1, 2025 November 17, 2025 December 1, 2025 January 12, 2026
    Summer 2026 August 1, 2025 May 1, 2026 May 1, 2026 May 18, 2026
    Fall 2026 - Priority Deadline* August 1, 2025 November 3, 2025 November 3, 2025 August 17, 2026
    Fall 2026 - Regular Deadline August 1, 2025 July 1, 2026 July 1, 2026 August 17, 2026

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

    View Our First-Year Applicant Timeline

Average Entering Freshman Student Profile

High School GPA: 3.48

SAT

Evidence-based-reading: 568 | Math: 548
Average SAT Composite: 1111.1

ACT

English: 21 | Reading: 24 | Math: 21 
Average ACT Composite: 22.27

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freshman students on campus

Admission Requirements

GPA Requirement

Minimum 2.5 with qualifying test scores
Minimum 3.2* test optional (through Summer 2026)
(Recalculated by KSU, in 17 units of required High School coursework)

Note: Test scores are still required for some scholarships (eg. Zell Miller) and programs
(eg. Architecture).

Test scores may also be used for Math placement (see Step 3 on the  Math placement page)
*First-year students applying to Kennesaw State University through the Summer 2026 semester may be admitted without an ACT or SAT score if they have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.* Students with a GPA of less than 3.2 should submit official ACT or SAT scores and their high school transcript to be considered for admission. 

*Test scores will be required at Kennesaw State University starting in Fall 2026. 

Required High School Curriculum

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 either the SAT or the ACT for freshmen and transfer freshmen applicants. Scores from the ACT and the SAT will not be combined. Applicants must meet minimum* English/Critical Reading and Math section requirements.

*Please note: Test scores will be required beginning Fall 2026 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

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

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Student study group

Testing FAQs

  • First-year students applying to Kennesaw State University for the through Summer 2026 semesters may be admitted without an ACT or SAT score if they have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.* Students who have a GPA of less than 3.2 should submit official ACT or SAT scores along with their high school transcript to be considered for admission. All students must be on track to complete the Required High School Curriculum to be admitted. 
     
    First-Year students applying to Kennesaw State University for Fall 2026 or beyond are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores along with official high school transcripts. 
     
    *Kennesaw State calculates your high school GPA for admission based on 17 required high school courses. 
  • First-year students applying to Kennesaw State University for the through Summer 2026 semesters may be admitted without an ACT or SAT score if they have a GPA of 3.2 or higher.* Students who have a GPA of less than 3.2 should submit official ACT or SAT scores along with their high school transcript to be considered for admission. All students must be on track to complete the Required High School Curriculum to be admitted. 
     
    First-Year students applying to Kennesaw State University for Fall 2026 or beyond must submit official SAT or ACT scores along with official high school transcripts. 
     
    *Kennesaw State calculates your high school GPA for admission based on the 17 required high school courses. 

  • Kennesaw State University will remain test-optional through Summer 2026 for students with a recalculated GPA of 3.2 but recommends all first-year applicants to take and submit official test scores.

    Effective for students applying for Fall 2026 or beyond, all first-year applicants will be required to submit SAT or ACT by admissions deadlines. Students should plan to complete test-score admissions requirements. 

  • Yes, you will need to submit official test-scores even if you have completed less than 30 transferable credit hours of dual enrollment course work.  

  • 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

  • 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.  

Freshman/ Transfer Freshman Application Process

  1. Online application and fee
    Submit your application and $40 application fee online by the deadline published for your desired semester of entry.
  2. 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

  3. 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 the college or university send official transcripts to KSU.

  4. 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.
Highschool student studying on laptop

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: 

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

  1. Complete the application.
  2. Setup your NetID.
    • 48 hours after applying, you will have your KSU# and NetID 
  3. 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.
  4. Submit official SAT or ACT Scores. 
  5. Submit official college transcripts.
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home schooled student focusing on laptop

Connect With Us

For questions regarding admissions, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 470-578-4636.