First-Year Admission Requirements
Applying to Stetson University as a first-year student is easy, and you do not need to wait until everything is ready. Submit your application first to be considered for financial aid sooner, then follow up with your required high school transcripts and any optional supporting materials later. If you have already started your Stetson Application but not yet submitted it, check your personal email for a unique link to the second part, or contact your admissions recruiter for help accessing it.
High School GPA
SAT Score
Financial Aid Package
Getting started is easy and free! You can apply using either Stetson University's application or the Common App, whichever works best for you. Submit your application first, and the remaining steps can follow once it is submitted. Choose an option below to get started.
| Application Type | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 |
| Early Action | November 15 |
| Early Decision II | January 5 |
| Regular Admission | Rolling |
For admissions purposes, we accept self-reported information. If you have earned fewer than 60 college credits, you will need to submit official high school transcripts showing your completion or graduation date, or proof that you have completed an AA degree, by the end of your first semester. If you do not provide official transcripts by this deadline, your financial aid will be suspended and you will be prohibited from registering for spring semester classes.
You can order official transcripts through Parchment, eScrip or SCOIR for electronic delivery to Stetson University. Our Office of Admissions mailing address and fax number are at the bottom of this page.
We recommend that you submit a writing sample. Your writing sample can respond to one of the essay topics below, or you can submit a previously graded paper or essay.
Essay Topics
- Discuss an issue of state, national or global concern to you.
- If you could live your life fighting for one cause, what would it be and why?
- Describe a time you did not meet expectations and what impact the experience had on you.
- What gives meaning to your life?
- If you wrote a letter to yourself to be opened in 20 years, what would it say?
Your letters of recommendation should be written and signed by the person making the recommendation and can be emailed to the Office of Admission at [email protected]. They can also be submitted online through the Counselor/Teacher Recommendation form.
Stetson University values academic achievement, commitment to personal values, leadership, talent, character and initiative above standardized testing. For that reason, submitting standardized test results for admission consideration is optional. Score-optional consideration is an alternative if you feel that your test scores do not adequately reflect your academic achievement or accurately predict your potential. However, if you feel that your test scores are a good reflection of your ability, we are happy to use them for admission consideration along with your other supporting materials.
Stetson University's testing codes are 0756 (ACT) and 5630 (SAT). No code is required for optional CLT testing.
Since accuracy is critical, you should have a copy of your high school transcript available to use as a reference. Course requirements are listed below in our Admissions Standards.
Once you receive an initial admission decision, send an official copy of your high school transcripts and complete any other missing requirements. Your final official transcripts are due before the first day of class.
If admitted, a nonrefundable deposit of $500 is required to reserve a seat. Please note the seat deposit deadline and instructions for remitting payment on your letter of acceptance. This deposit will be credited to your tuition upon registration. Please make a check or money order payable to Stetson University. Credit cards are also accepted.
Application Status
If you have already applied, you can check your application status at any time within the week following submission.
CHECK Your StatusAdmissions Standards
To be considered for admission, you must satisfactorily complete a college preparatory program in high school. Because high school programs and grading systems vary widely, we cannot rigidly prescribe your secondary school program. However, the Admissions Committee is most interested in students who show solid academic achievement in five or more college preparatory courses in each of the four years of high school.
Your minimum preparation must include:
- Four years of English.
- At least three years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II.
- Three years of natural science.
- Two years of social science.
- Two consecutive years of a foreign language (American Sign Language is recognized as a foreign language).
Suitable college preparatory electives will complete your program. A grade point average above 3.0 is typical for students accepted to Stetson University.