Home-schoolers welcome
If you received some or all of your high school education through home-based instruction, you're welcome at Washington State University.
How to apply for admission
1. Submit a completed application for freshman admission
2. Send the following to WSU
- Official scores from either the SAT or the ACT sent directly from the testing agency
- Official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended
- One of the following:
- An academic resume that provides documentation of all subjects studied, text books used, including the signature of the parent or guardian responsible for the student's curriculum
- Or an official transcript from the GED exam
Mailing address for transcripts and supporting documents:
Office of Admissions
Washington State University
370 Lighty Student Services Bldg
PO Box 641067
Pullman, WA 99164-1067
The Office of Admissions will review your application and supporting documents, and will send written notification of your eligibility for admission.
Academic core requirements
The state of Washington maintains a set of academic core requirements (the College Academic Distribution Requirements, or CADRs) that all students have to meet to qualify for college admission. You'll need to document in detail — through a high school transcript, GED score, or an academic resume — how your home-based instruction fulfills these requirements.
You'll need to complete prerequisite courses in six academic areas to be eligible for admission. (One credit = one full-year course).
English
4 credits, including at least three credits of composition and literature
Mathematics
3 credits, including algebra I, geometry, and algebra II, or completion of integrated mathematics through level III; a fourth credit of math is recommended.
SENIOR YEAR MATH-BASED QUANTITATIVE COURSE
Beginning with fall 2012 admissions, a math-based quantitative course will be required in the senior year. A variety of courses can meet the requirement:
- One of the three required math courses listed above;
- A math-based quantitative course like statistics, applied math, or appropriate career and technical courses; or
- An algebra-based science course (which may also count toward the science requirement).
If your school district counts a course as quantitative, WSU will as well. The senior-year math requirement doesn't mandate a fourth credit or require a higher level of math; the intent is for seniors to actively prepare for college-level work by taking a meaningful math course.
Note: Completion of higher-level math (e.g., pre-calculus, math analysis, or calculus) prior to the senior year exempts students from the senior-year quantitative course requirement.
Science
2 credits of laboratory science, including one credit of algebra-based science (typically chemistry or physics, though school districts may designate other courses)
World language
2 credits of a single world language, Native American language, or American Sign Language
Social science
3 credits
Arts
1 credit in fine, visual, or performing arts or an additional credit of the courses listed above
Questions?
For answers and more information about the University's home-schooling admission policy, contact Kelly Myott-Baker in the Office of Admissions:
509-335-5153 (toll-free: 888-468-6978)
