Undergraduate Application Checklist

When you apply, you will have access to your personal Application Status Page. All of the materials required for you to submit to complete your application file will appear as a checklist on your page. Requirements that are unique to you or for your program may appear on your checklist.

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
• Official high school or homeschool transcript or official equivalency exam scores (G.E.D.)
• Personal statement/essay and letter of recommendation are optional for most programs. 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
• If you are classified as a multilingual English language learner in K-12, you can also submit Vermont State’s annual English language proficiency assessment (if any) or fill out your application to VTSU English Pathway Program to continue enhancing your English academic proficiency

Early College and VAST Students

Please submit the following required documents:

• Application fee or fee waiver
• Official high school or homeschool transcript or official equivalency exam scores (G.E.D.) including current mid-year grade report
• Personal statement/essay
• Current letter of recommendation
• Interview with Admissions
• Accuplacer is required for VAST 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
• 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. If you have taken classes within the Vermont State Colleges, such as at the Community College of Vermont, we will obtain your official transcript from our shared records system. 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.
• Personal statement/essay and letter of recommendation are optional for many programs. Additional letters and letter content are required when applying to some academic programs; see program specific requirements below. All submitted letters should be current and submitted from the author.
• 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.

International Students

Please submit the following required documents:

• Application fee or fee waiver
• Personal statement/essay
• Current letter of recommendation. Additional letters are required when applying to some academic programs; see program specific requirements below.
• Evaluated, translated transcripts. Transcripts must be official, officially submitted directly from all institutions attended. 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. 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. Transfer credits must be evaluated by an accredited service. For a smooth transfer credit evaluation process, please submit your official transcripts to one of the NACES accredited organizations, such as SpanTran, WES, or ECE. Although our admissions team can initiate the review of your application without the completed evaluation, the final decision on transfer credits will be contingent upon the assessment provided by one of these organizations. This ensures a standardized and comprehensive evaluation of your academic credentials.
• English proficiency tests.
  • Unconditional Admission: If English is not your first language, a minimum score of 71 iBT TOEFL, 6 IELTS, or 105 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, Castleton University 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. Interview may be requested to assess English proficiency; submitted documents, such as essays and recommendations, will be considered in the admission decision for the English Pathway Program.
  • Conditional Admission: If you have IELTS 5.0 or equivalent scores such as TOEFL ibt 55, PTE (Pearson Academic English Test) 42, or Duolingo 90, with good academic standing, you may consider applying to VTSU English Pathway Program. It is for students whose academic record is satisfactory but who require further development in one or more English skills areas.
    • Vermont State University English Pathway Program is proud to be a member of EnglishUSA.org, a premier accreditation organization dedicated to supporting English language programs in the United States. This affiliation underscores our commitment to providing top-tier English language instruction and resources for our international students. As a member of EnglishUSA.org, Vermont State University benefits from access to best practices, professional development opportunities, and a network of peer institutions. This ensures that our international students receive the highest quality language education, fostering inclusive and supportive academic success and smooth integration into the university community. With Conditional Admission, you will enroll in major-related courses while also taking two required credit-bearing English courses (6 credits/semester) in the VTSU English Pathway Program for one to two semesters. 
      • Advantages of registering for the VTSU English Pathway Program:
        • Unlike a separate English instruction program, the English Pathway Program allows you to enhance your English in an academic setting while allowing you to take major-related courses. This will reduce your time spent on English language study, save you money, and prepare you to complete your degree on time.
        • You do not have to retake the English-standardized proficiency tests. You will meet the English requirements and gain normal admission after one semester if you complete the English Pathway Program with a score higher than A-.
        • English courses recorded on academic transcripts provide international students with reliable evidence of a good English foundation. 
• International Student Certification of Finances and Financial Documentation. 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. This is required to receive a SEVIS I-20.
• A copy of your passport ID page. This is required to receive an I-20.

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:

• Accuplacer testing is required for applicants to Dental Hygiene, Nursing A.S., Nursing Degree Completion, Practical Nursing Certificate, Radiologic Science, and Respiratory Therapy. Approved transfer credit in math and/or English will waive Accuplacer testing. Applicants for health majors must receive a minimum of 261 in each English section and 243 in Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics.
• Music Audition is required for Music Performance and Music Education majors. To arrange your Music Audition, simply contact Joshua Thompson, Coordinator of Instrumental Studies & Arts Recruitment.
• Two letters of letter of recommendation are required for applicants to Dental Hygiene, Nursing A.S., Nursing Degree Completion, Paramedicine, Practical Nursing Certificate, Radiologic Science, and Respiratory Therapy. 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.
• Many department programs have specific prerequisite requirements and/or require your academic profile to include specific courses. Please review our full list of program admission requirements.