First-Year Students
If you have never attempted college credits, or if you attempted college coursework prior to graduating high school, please follow this checklist for First-Year students:
- Application fee or fee waiver
- Personal Statement/Essay (250-word minimum)
- Official high school transcript or official equivalency exam scores (G.E.D.).
- Current letter of recommendation (submitted from the author, preferred from educator or employer). Recommendation is optional if you have been away from formal education for 3 or more years. Additional letters are required when applying to some academic programs; see program specific requirements below.
- Test scores are only required when applying to a program with a testing requirement; see program specific requirements below.
Early College and VAST Students
Please follow the checklist for First-Year students above and additionally submit:
- Current mid-year grade report.
- Second letter of recommendation is required for VAST applicants; VAST applicants must have one letter from school counselor or principal.
- Accuplacer is required for VAST applicants.
- Interview is required for VAST and Early College applicants.
- Early College/VAST Application Supplement
Transfer and Returning Students
If you attempted college coursework after your high school graduation or GED completion date, please follow this checklist for transfer students:
- Application fee or fee waiver
- Personal Statement/Essay (250 word minimum)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended. To be considered official, documents must be submitted directly from the institution(s). This is required in all circumstances where coursework has been completed or attempted. Unofficial documents may be used for review purposes when a student is currently in progress with coursework, yet official documents will be required for enrollment in these circumstances.
- Letter of recommendation is optional. If submitted, this should be current and submitted from the author. Additional letters and letter content are required when applying to some academic programs; see program specific requirements below.
- If you have 18 or less post-secondary college credits, your high school transcript or GED is required.
- Test scores are only required when applying to a program with testing requirement; see program specific requirements below.
Program-Specific Requirements
Applications to some programs require additional checklist items. After you apply, checklist items required for your program will be listed on your Application Status Page, where you will be able to track your materials. The following is required for specified programs:
- Second letter of recommendation and Accuplacer testing is required for applicants to Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Science, Respiratory Therapy, as well as nursing programs: AS in Nursing and Practical Nursing Certificate. Approved transfer credit in math and/or English will waive Accuplacer testing.
- Paramedicine certificate applicants are required to submit a second letter of recommendation, CPR card, and EMT license.
- Music Audition is required for Music and Music Education majors.
- Additional requirements may appear on individual applicant checklists.
- Letters of recommendation for Nursing and Healthcare Professions must be dated within 6 months of the priority deadline and should address the applicant’s work ethic and communication skills, potential for adaptation to a fast-paced clinical environment, and potential to completely and compassionately deliver health care to patients across the lifespan.
Please review our full list of program prerequisites.
International Students
Please follow the appropriate First-Year or Transfer student checklist above and also submit the following required documents:
- Evaluated, translated transcripts. Official diploma and transcript of your complete high school studies is required. If you have at least one year of full-time college studies (all post-secondary studies), your high school transcript is not required. Transfer credits must be evaluated by an accredited service. All academic transcripts must be signed by the appropriate school or government official and must include the seal of the school or the government. Photocopies or other copies must be certified true. If the documents are written in a language other than English, complete and certified true English translations must be furnished together with the official documents in that language. Transcripts not in English must be translated and evaluated by a NACES accredited organization such as SpanTran, WES, or ECE.
- English proficiency tests. If English is not your first language, a minimum score of 71 iBT TOEFL, 6 IELTS, or 100 Duolingo English language test score is required. Other English language assessments may be substituted with permission from Admissions. Reported test scores must be from the previous two years. If your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo result does not meet the minimum score for admission, you may be admitted to a Pathway Program for English Language Learners. This program is for students whose academic record is satisfactory but who require further development in one or more English skills areas. The University’s TOEFL code is not yet established. Applicants can submit with code 3765; as we are becoming Vermont State University, Vermont Technical College may appear and is correct to submit. SAT or ACT can be submitted to fulfill the test requirement. This option is popular with international first-year applicants whose native language is English or who have graduated from a high school where English is the instruction language.
- International Student Certification of Finances. Your application must be accompanied by certification that sufficient funds will be available to meet both your living and tuition expenses while attending Vermont State University. You may find it helpful to review the cost of attendance worksheet as you begin to plan your academic journey.
- A copy of your passport ID page.
