Frequently asked questions and answers

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Arizona State University ranks highly compared to other universities, and many ASU programs rank highly compared to other universities' programs. ASU has been named the No. 1 school in the U.S. for innovation for nine consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT, according to U.S. News & World Report. ASU is also No. 1 in sustainability and No. 1 in global impact, and is the top public university chosen by international students. See a complete list of ASU rankings.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at ASU?

ASU strives to keep class sizes as small as possible. The student-to-faculty ratio at ASU is 19-to-1.

What is ASU’s total student population?

ASU’s four campuses in metropolitan Phoenix are home to 79,400+ students as of fall 2023.

Where is ASU located?

ASU is located in the metro Phoenix area of Arizona, in the southwest region of the United States. The university is about a six-hour drive (or one hour flight) from Los Angeles and five-hour drive (or 50 minute flight) from Las Vegas.

What is the total cost of attending ASU?

Cost of attendance varies for in-state (resident), out-of-state (non resident), international and graduate students.

How do I request to have my ACT or SAT scores sent directly to ASU?

Scores are automatically sent from the ACT or the Collegeboard (SAT) to the places you requested when you registered. You can also have your scores sent to ASU from ACT or the College Board (SAT) after you take your test.

What are ASU’s SAT and ACT school codes?

SAT: 4007
ACT: 0088

What are Arizona’s residency requirements?

Being declared a resident by the state of Arizona differs from being considered a resident for tuition purposes by ASU. University Registrar Services follows specific Arizona Board of Regents guidelines when determining a student’s residency status based on the information provided on the admission application.

What are the ASU undergraduate admission application deadlines?

Each year, the deadline to apply for spring admission is Nov. 1 and for fall admission, the deadline is May 1. For summer admission, the deadline is Feb. 1.

How can I tell if my ASU admission application is complete?

Within a few days you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in to My ASU. My ASU is where you can monitor the status of your application, view any missing items and receive the final decision on your application.

How long does it take to receive an undergraduate admission decision from ASU?

Once we have received a complete application, including paid application fee and official transcripts, undergraduate students should receive an admission decision in about four weeks. Depending on the volume of student applications, processing times may vary. In some instances, admission decisions can be made in as little as five business days.

How do I check my ASU admission application status?

To see your application status, log in to My ASU and click My Application Status.

When will I receive my ASU undergraduate admission letter?

You can expect to receive your letter five to seven business days after admission.

Where do I submit my MMR immunization documentation?

You can submit your MMR immunization documentation to ASU Health Services.

Am I required to live on campus in an ASU dorm?

As a first-year student, you're expected to live on the campus of your major. If you’d like to request a housing exemption, you must first complete the housing application to let us know your reason for requesting a housing exception.

How do I choose an undergraduate major?

There are a variety of resources available to help you select your major or minor. You can start by visiting ASU’s undergraduate degree search to explore the more than 400 degree programs at ASU. While on Degree Search you can take ASU's major and career quiz, Me3®, which can help you decide on a major.

Can I change my ASU major? If so, how?

It is not uncommon for students to change their majors after they start classes at ASU. To change your major, log in to My ASU, click Change My Major and follow the steps from there.

What do I need to do before I can register for classes at ASU?

To register for classes, you must submit your enrollment deposit (if applicable) and your MMR immunization form. Check My ASU to make sure you don’t have any holds, and make an appointment with your academic advisor who can help you register for classes.

How do I contact my academic advisor?

You can find your advisor’s contact information in My ASU in the Academic Support Team box.

How do I pay my tuition?

You can pay your tuition online by going to My ASU and clicking the Finances tab.

First-year student

What does it mean to self-report my courses on the admission application?

During the application process, you will be asked to enter all your courses and grades for school years 9 to 11 as they appear on your official high school transcript. You will also be asked to enter your in-progress courses for year 12.

How do I enter my courses and grades into the admission application?

To accurately enter all information, you must have your high school transcript when filling out the Required High School Courses section in My Grades. All semester, trimester or quarter grades must be listed in the Required High School Courses section.

The information entered in the Required High School Courses section must match your official transcript if you have been admitted and intend to enroll. Any inaccurate information can result in your admission being revoked.

Am I able to include college courses or dual credit courses I have taken while in high school on my admission application?

Yes, the application gives you the option to self-report any college courses or dual credit courses you have taken before enrolling at ASU.

What should I do if my high school lists my grades numerically?

If your transcript includes a numerical grading scale, click on 100 point based in the Grading System section of your application and then you will select the number range for your grades in the Grades section.

When do I submit my final transcripts for admission to ASU?

If you have been admitted and intend to enroll at ASU, you will need to have your official high school transcripts sent directly to ASU once you graduate. Do not send any official transcripts during the application process or before you graduate.

Transfer

How do I know if I’m considered a transfer student?

At ASU, a transfer student is anyone applying for admission who has attended another college or university and has completed 12 or more transferable credits post-high school, at the time of application. If you are completing college courses while in high school you are considered a first-year student and not a transfer student.

Do I have to take the ACT or SAT to transfer to ASU?

It depends on your particular situation. If you transfer fewer than 24 transferable credits, you must also meet freshman admission requirements, which may require ACT or SAT scores. Also, some majors, such as business, require a particular ACT or SAT score for admission into the program. Take a peek at the ASU undergraduate Degree Search for admission information specific to your major.

Who can I speak with about my transfer to ASU?

ASU’s expert transfer specialists are available to answer your questions and help with your transfer to ASU. Find your transfer admission team member.

Do I need to send my high school transcripts to apply for admission?

Transfer applicants with 24 or more transferable semester credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university, and who will be 22 or older by the start of the requested semester of admission, will not be required to submit a high school transcript for admission. Once all prior college or university transcripts and outstanding admission items are received and verified, the high school transcript requirement will be waived. Transfer applicants are required to have graduated from an approved high school (or equivalent) prior to the semester of requested admission at ASU, and to include this information on the application for admission.

Do I have to send all my college transcripts as part of my admission application?

Yes, for ASU to determine whether you meet admission requirements, we must evaluate your entire academic history, including coursework completed at each college or university attended, regardless of academic performance. College transcripts should be sent directly from your college to:

ASU Admission Services
P.O. Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004

I attended ASU previously. Am I a transfer student or a readmission student? Do I need to reapply?

If you have previously attended ASU as a degree-seeking student, you will be considered a readmission student. Please see readmission information.

I applied to ASU and was admitted, but did not attend. Do I need to reapply?

Yes, you need to reapply. Be sure to sign in to My ASU to see if any additional items are needed to complete your file.

Do I have to have an associate degree to transfer to ASU?

No, you can transfer to ASU at any time as long as you meet the transfer admission requirements. However, ASU recommends attaining your associate degree before transferring.

As a transfer student, how do I know how many credits can be applied toward my major?

Once you are admitted, you'll work with your academic advisor and review your DARS (Degree Audit Report System) to see which credits apply to you major.

What prerequisites do I need to complete before I can transfer to ASU?

There are no prerequisites required to be admitted to ASU, unless you have fewer than 24 transferable credits. Students with fewer than 24 transferable credits are required to meet first-year admission requirements, including aptitude and competency requirements.

Can I live on campus as a transfer student?

Yes, ASU has housing devoted specifically to upper-division students and strongly encourages all students to live on campus during their first year at ASU. For more information, please refer to University Housing.

There are also a variety of off-campus housing options in close proximity to ASU’s campuses. For more information on off-campus housing, check out Off-Campus Housing.

If I'm attending a California community college, is the IGETC/CSU GE required to transfer to ASU?

The IGETC/CSU GE is not a requirement for admission to ASU but is highly recommended. Completing either of the GE patterns and getting certified by your community college will satisfy the General Studies requirements at ASU.

What does it mean to get IGETC/CSU GE certified?

Getting certified means you have completed all General Education requirements at your California community college. If you have confirmed with your community college counselor that you are eligible for the certification, ASU will require that you submit the official certification along with your official transcripts to Admission Services.

Currently, I don't meet the Western Undergraduate Exchange admission requirements. Should I wait to apply?

No. Even though you may not currently qualify for WUE, we will always reevaluate your admission to the program if you currently have courses in progress and submit your final transcripts.

I live in California but would like to meet with an ASU representative in person to discuss the transfer process. Is this possible?

ASU representatives will be attending college transfer fairs and hosting various visits at community colleges throughout California. Find your transfer specialist to ask about upcoming opportunities near you.

How do my credits transfer to ASU?

ASU awards transfer credit for college-level coursework as long as it was completed at a regionally accredited institution, you earned a grade of “C” or higher, and ASU offers an equivalent course. To see how your credits transfer to ASU, use the online Transfer Guide. Click on Course Search to get started. Read more about how your credits transfer to ASU, and if you have additional questions, contact your transfer admission team member.

When should I apply to ASU? What are the application deadlines?

ASU uses a rolling admission process that allows for a flexible time frame. ASU typically recommends that students start their steps to apply at least one semester prior to their starting term at ASU. It may take approximately two to six weeks to receive an admission decision once all requested materials are received. Although there are no “hard” deadlines to apply to ASU, there are a few priority dates to keep in mind if you’d like to maximize your opportunities for financial aid. You can review these dates, as well as admission requirements and steps to apply, at admission.asu.edu/transfer/apply.

How are pass/fail courses being accepted?

If the transcript key or the institution provides information that indicates a Pass grade is comparable to a C- or higher, the course will be counted as transferable but will not be calculated in the student’s transfer GPA for admission. A Fail grade will be counted as an “F” and calculated in the student’s GPA accordingly.

Will a pass/fail grade affect my transfer GPA to determine if I meet admission criteria?

Pass grades are not counted in the GPA, but may be transferable to ASU if the institution or transcript indicates the “P” grade is comparable to a C- or better. Fail grades are calculated as an “F” and will impact your GPA.

If I receive a pass/fail grade for a course, does it transfer to ASU?

If the transcript key indicates a Pass grade is comparable to a C- or higher, the course will be counted as transferable but will not be calculated in your GPA. A Fail grade will be counted as an “F” and calculated in your GPA.

If I receive a pass/fail grade, does it count toward my degree completion?

If the institution or transcript indicates the “P” grade is comparable to a C- or better and the course is on your degree map, it will count toward degree completion.

Can I be admitted to ASU with a pass/fail course on my transcripts?

The admission criteria remains the same. We will look at all submitted information to determine admissibility to ASU.

Can I be admitted into programs with higher admission requirements if I opt to receive a pass/fail grade for my courses?

GPA and test scores will still be used to determine admissibility. Pass grades are not calculated into your GPA for admission purposes, but may still be transferable. Opting for a Pass grade rather than a letter grade could impact your admissibility if you need to bring up your transfer GPA to meet the criteria for a program with higher requirements. If you have the option of being issued a Pass grade or a letter grade, opt for the letter grade.

Will ASU accept my AGEC completion with pass/fail grades on coursework?

Will my associate degree transfer to ASU if I have coursework with a pass/fail grade?

Yes. Any coursework with a Pass grade that the institution indicates is comparable to C- or better is transferable.

Will pass/fail grades affect financial aid or scholarships that I receive from ASU?

No, maintaining eligibility for ASU financial aid or scholarships is based on your ASU GPA.

How does my coursework with grades transfer to ASU?

Refer to admission.asu.edu/transfer/transferring-credits for information on how credits transfer to ASU .

How does academic renewal play into the evaluation process? For example, if a community college agrees to grant academic renewal to a particular grade and exclude it from their GPA calculation, would that also exclude the grade from ASU's GPA calculation?

If a grade was earned, ASU will calculate it into the transfer GPA for admission. Academic renewal at a prior institution does not carry over to ASU.

International

Can international students receive ASU scholarships?

International first-year and transfer F-1 students may be considered for the New American University Scholarship, which helps with college expenses.

Can I be admitted as an international student if I’m not yet proficient in English?

ASU may offer conditional admission to international applicants who meet the academic (aptitude) requirements but who are not proficient in English. Conditional admission gives international F-1 students three semesters to submit a passing TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score, or to successfully graduate from ASU Global Launch to be fully admitted to the university.

What should international students submit with the admission application?

In addition to your application fee and all official transcripts, international students must submit proof of English proficiency. Foreign school transcripts can be sent by the student as long as they are official and original documents.

What is ASU’s English proficiency admission requirement for undergraduate international students?

The English proficiency requirement depends on your major. ASU accepts passing scores on the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE exams. Contact International Admission Services for more information at 480-965-2437 or asuinternational@asu.edu.

What are the English proficiency admission exemptions?

ASU offers several English proficiency exemptions:

Do I have to submit a financial guarantee to be considered for admission?

No, a financial guarantee is not necessary for an admission decision to ASU.

Can I receive credits for AP, IB or CLEP?

What is ASU’s TOEFL school code?

How many credit hours per semester is considered full time for ASU international students?

Generally, 12 or more credit hours per semester is considered full time for international students. Contact ASU’s International Students and Scholars Center at 480-727-4776 for more information or to discuss your particular circumstances.

What is the difference between online and on-campus credits?

Online credits are credits received for classes taken remotely using your computer. On-campus credits are credits received for classes taken in person on an ASU campus. As an international student, you are required to take a certain number of credits at an on-campus location.

What do I need to submit to receive my I-20?

To receive your I-20, you must submit:

Be sure to choose your preferred I-20 delivery option. All the items above will show up on My ASU after you are fully admitted.

What is the I-20 deadline?

What are the international graduate student admission requirements for English proficiency?

If your native language is not English, you must provide proof of English proficiency.

Individual academic units may have higher requirements for English proficiency. Review your degree program of interest for details.

What is considered an official transcript for international student admission?

Your academic credentials must provide information on the courses you took each year and the grades or marks received. Please note that any document ASU receives becomes the property of the university and will not be returned to you. Please do not send documents that cannot be easily replaced. Please do not send your intermediate or secondary education documents.

Official academic credentials are issued by the registrar of the institution attended, bearing the seal of the institution and registrar’s or academic official’s signature, or verified true copies of credentials by a responsible official of the institution or education representative of the country’s government or embassy. Each page must bear the verifying official signature and stamp.

All international transcripts must be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university, government official or official translation service. You may not complete your own translation.

Photocopies and notarized transcripts are not acceptable.

What do I do if I need to withdraw after being admitted as an international student?

Contact the International Students and Scholars Center before submitting a Voluntary Withdrawal form, as it most likely will affect your visa status.