Applying as a Freshman

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Freshman - A high school senior or first-time college student

Apply for Admission

  • Complete the Application for Admission and pay the non-refundable $25 application fee.
    • If you have a free application code, enter it when asked for an "application fee discount or promo code". Students with demonstrated financial need who meet certain eligibility requirements may contact their admissions counselor about a free application code.
  • Submit your official transcript(s) to complete your application.
  • The application for Fall 2026 is now open
  • Apply before the application deadline

View all Requirements for Admission as a Freshman.

Forward your High School Transcript

Request that your official transcript be sent directly to ETSU by your high school. ETSU cannot accept documents from students--they must come from a school official. 

High school counselors can send transcripts by email to documents@etsu.eduor use an electronic transcript-sharing service.

Alternatively, official paper copies can be mailed to: 

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
ETSU
PO Box 70731
Johnson City, TN 37614

If you are a Home School student:

  • Students homeschooled through a homeschooling organization: Request that your homeschooling organization send your official transcript(s) and test score(s). If your organization does not have your test score(s), request they be sent directly from ACT/SAT College Board.
  • Students homeschooled directly by a parent/guardian must submit:

Forward your Advanced Placement, College Transcript or other Collegiate Results

If you have completed college-level courses as a dual-enrollment student while in high school, you must request an official transcript be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the college or university through which you earned the credit.   If you have completed Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate other collegiate exams, you must request official score results be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the testing agency. It is important to record this credit prior to your registering for courses to avoid duplication at ETSU.

Provide Test Scores

ACT/ SAT scores are not required for admission to ETSU. However, please keep in mind: 

  • An ACT/SAT score is required to be considered for scholarships. For guaranteed scholarships available for in-state and border county students, you must have taken your ACT or SAT by March 1st.
  • An ACT/SAT test score helps you get placed in the right classes. If you do not wish to take the ACT or SAT, you will be given an opportunity to take the Accuplacer test prior to coming to ETSU orientation. This test will help determine what classes you should take.
  • Certain academic programs will require test scores for admission into the program.

ETSU will superscore ACT/SAT scores for admission and scholarship decisions. Test-takers should request their scores be sent to ETSU electronically by the test agency.

Early Admission Program

The Early Admission Program allows a student to start their freshman year of college in the year that would have been their senior year of high school.

A prospective student is eligible for Early Admission to ETSU if the individual’s official transcript reflects the individual has completed the 11th grade year at an accrediated U.S. high school and meets the minimum GPA and test score requirement. The minimum test score requirement is a 25 ACT Composite and the minimum GPA is a 3.5. 

Procedures:

  • Submit the application for admission
  • Pay the application fee
  • Submit official transcript with official ACT or SAT test score
  • Submit a written statement from the individual’s high school principal specifying the college course(s) that will be substituted for the remaining high school course(s) needed for high school graduation and
  • Submit a written endorsement from a high school counselor and a written endorsement from a parent or guardian