Admission Criteria for First-Time Freshmen

Congratulations on taking the first step toward becoming a Ball State Cardinal! Our Ball State admissions team is here to help you apply, commit, and feel at home on our beautiful, welcoming campus as a new college student.

Review the following criteria we consider when you apply for admission:

Diploma

Ball State requires the Core 40, Enrollment Seal, or out-of-state equivalent diploma for admission consideration. Academic Honors, Enrollment Honors/Plus Seal, or out-of-state equivalent is recommended.

See minimum required courses below.

Performance

We carefully evaluate your performance by examining the rigor of your coursework, your overall success within those courses, and whether your grade trends are positive and consistent.

Our average weighted grade-point-average (GPA) for enrolled freshman is 3.56.

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Involvement

Do you play an instrument, compete in sports, perform onstage, participate in clubs, have a job, or volunteer for your community? Depending on your desired major, we may require a design portfolio, audition, or essay. Some scholarships may require a list of your accomplishments.

Required Coursework

Complete these courses to be eligible for admission:

Four years of English
Three years of mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or Analytics Algebra II)

Three years of science (two with lab)
Three years of social studies
Foreign language study (recommended; not required)

Steps to Apply

You’re one step closer to becoming a Cardinal! Applying to Ball State is easy and is done completely online. Follow the steps below to prepare your application and materials.

Review Admissions Criteria
Admission to Ball State is competitive. We will consider both your academic performance and extracurricular activities.

Request Your Transcript
A complete application requires an official high school transcript sent directly from your high school. We accept transcripts electronically.

Send Us Your SAT/ACT Scores (Optional)
Ball State is test-optional, meaning you decide whether or not to provide your SAT and/or ACT scores. If you decide to send us your test scores, we will accept them from your testing agency or on your official high school transcript. We also superstore, which means we’ll consider your best test scores. Learn more about our test policy.

Tell Us About Yourself (Optional)
You can also submit a one-page statement, resume, or recommendation as part of your application. We recommend this step if you’re missing required coursework, experienced poor grade trends or struggled in some of your classes, fall below admission criteria, or graduated from a non- accredited high school.

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READY TO APPLY?

It's time to FLY! After completing the steps above, you're ready to complete our online application.

APPLY TO BALL STATE

Your admission application and all required materials must be received at least two weeks before the start of classes for a given term to be considered for admission to Ball State. We recommend you do so by the priority deadline of your intended entry term.

After You Apply

After completing your application, log in to your Cardinal Landing portal to submit additional materials, check your application status, and view important next steps.

Advance Credit

You can earn college credit early for Ball State by taking special courses and exams through Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge International, Dual Credit, and other programs. We also offer our own departmental and world language exams. See all of our advance credit options and requirements.

Enrollment Seals Plus FAQs

Ball State University is participating in the Indiana Resident Admissions program, a guaranteed admission path for students who earn the new Enrollment Honors Plus Seal diploma. Please see below for additional information and FAQs.

Who qualifies for Indiana Resident Admissions?

Participants need to:

Be an Indiana resident
Attend a high school within Indiana that adheres to the Indiana diploma requirements
Be on track to earn the Enrollment Honors Plus seal

Students that do not meet those requirements are still encouraged to submit an application. Don’t let your specific circumstances, like being homeschooled, out-of-state, attend an independent school, etc. stop you from applying to Ball State as successful Cardinals come from a variety of backgrounds.

Do I need to apply with the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal?

Yes, high school seniors that are eligible for Indiana Resident Admissions still need to complete an application for admission to Ball State University. You can use either our Ball State application or the Common App. After that, you will need to have your official transcript sent from your High School (Parchment is the preferred method) and potentially your test scores. Be sure to check your Cardinal Landing Portal regularly to stay up-to-date.

What if I'm not earning the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal?

Yes! Please still apply — even if you don't have the Plus Seal. We do encourage that all students graduating from the class of 2028/2029 and on earn the Enrollment Seal diploma. Beyond diploma type, we consider a combination of factors including recent grade trends, academic performance, and test scores (if provided). Please note that any graduates prior to the class of 2028/2029 will be expected to earn the Core 40, Technical Honors, or Academic Honors diploma.

Does Indiana Resident Admissions guarantee acceptance to my major?

Indiana Resident Admissions does not guarantee admission to an academic program or major. Specific majors, including majors within the School of Music, Department of Theatre and Dance, Sports Production (Sports Link), Radiography, B/MD Pathway, and ECAP (Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Planning, and Environmental Design), all require additional steps beyond the initial university application.

Will my senior year performance be evaluated?

Senior year still matters. We encourage all future Cardinals to do their best in senior year—it benefits you! Students that excel in senior year can be re-evaluated for different or additional scholarships depending on their academic performance in their final semesters. All admitted students are required to submit their final transcript after their high school graduation that demonstrates that they have fulfilled all diploma requirements.

What steps should I take after being admitted?

The first step to take is confirming enrollment within your Cardinal Landing Portal. After that, students will need to complete additional tasks such as applying for housing, completing the FAFSA, registering for Orientation, and submitting their final transcript that confirms their graduation date and that they have met all Enrollment Honors Plus Seal requirements. We will frequently be in touch to remind you of your next steps so rest assured, there’s always staff within the Office of Admissions that are eager to help.

I am a homeschool student. Am I eligible for Indiana Resident Admissions?

To be eligible for Indiana Resident Admissions, you must be a resident of Indiana and attend an Indiana high school granting the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal. Homeschool students who complete an application and meet the admissions standards will be given full consideration for admission and scholarships to Ball State.

I will be a transfer student who completed the Enrollment Honors Plus Seal. Am I eligible for the Indiana Resident Admissions program?

No. The Indiana Resident Admissions program is intended and designed for high school students applying for college admission immediately after high school graduation.

What classes do I need to complete to meet Ball State's admission requirements?

Complete these courses to be eligible for admission:

Four years of English
Three years of mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or Analytics Algebra II)
Three years of science (two with lab)
Three years of social studies
Foreign language study (recommended; not required)

Questions?

If you need assistance with any part of your application process, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

We’re here to help you every step of the way!

Contact Admissions

Schedule a Visit

FIND YOUR ADMISSIONS REP

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Lucina Hall
Muncie, IN 47306

Academic year: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Summer hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

800-482-4BSU (4278)

How to Apply as a First-Time Freshman