The following criteria will be used in making an admission decision:

A. Completion of the following pre-college curriculum:

• English I, II, III and IV (or AP English)
• Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry
• 1 life science, 1 physical science and 1 earth/space science (one of these must have a lab)
• any 3 of the following: US History, economics, government, world geography or world civilization
• ½ unit of health
• ½ unit of physical education
• 1 unit of history and appreciation of visual/performing arts
• 2 credits of foreign language
• 5 electives *

* For students graduating from high school in 2004 or after, two units of a foreign language will be required, changing the number of electives to five.

Note: Kentucky residents under the age of 21 must complete the state-mandated pre-college curriculum. Applicants who are not residents of Kentucky must complete a comparable college-preparatory curriculum.

B. Ranking in top half of graduating class or cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.

C. ACT composite of 18 or above/SAT composite of 870 or above.

An applicant who meets A and meets the requirements in either B or C will be "admitted with conditions," which include a course-load limit of no more than16 hours a semester and a requirement to complete the following before becoming a sophomore:

All other applicants will be reviewed for possible admission as follows:

• An applicant who meets A and meets the requirement in either B or C will be "admitted with conditions," which include a course-load limit of no more than16 hours a semester and a requirement to complete the following before becoming a sophomore:
  
  • Pass FYE 098 Orientation and ENG 105
  • Complete any required developmental courses or any courses required due to pre-college
    curriculum deficiencies.
    
• For spring and summer terms only, a resident of Kentucky or the Tennessee counties of Henry, Obion, Stewart or Weakley who has a minimum ACT composite of 14, but who does not meet the criteria for "admitted" or "admitted with conditions" will be considered for "admitted with restrictions" status. Students admitted with restrictions will be limited to 16 hours each semester and will be required to do the following:
  
  • Satisfactorily complete an 8-hour required block of classes (FYE 098, ENG 095, REA 095 and COM 161) with no more than one (1) attempts. (If a student enrolled in these block courses completely withdraws from MSU for that term, that attempt will not be counted as an attempt.) These block courses are only available during summer and spring terms, on a limited basis.
  • Be recommended for advancement by the director of MSU’s Community College.
  • Complete the requirements for "admitted with conditions" as stated above.

Any students who do not meet MSU’s admission requirements for the ACT/SAT may take the COMPASS test as an alternative test. To prepare for the COMPASS test you may use the ACT preparations guide. COMPASS also has sample questions on their website, www.act.org/compass.