What We're Looking For
Our application review process is a holistic and selective process, where no single criterion guarantees admission. Our holistic review process is centered on three of our institutional core values- Vires, Artes, Mores.
Vires
Strength
Our focus in this area is rigor, grades, and courses taken while in high school. Each applicant is evaluated based upon the performance within the context of the student's academic environment.
Transcripts - GPA - Course Rigor - Test Scores - High School Profile
Artes
Skill
We want to see how students use their out-of-classroom time, whether through sports, clubs, organizations, family responsibilities, employment, or other achievements.
Resume - Academic and Non-academic Involvement
Mores
Character
We are taking the information students have shared with us to learn who they are, any formative experiences they may have had, and what their life goals may be.
Essay - Resume - High School and Neighborhood Context
Additional consideration will also be given to applicants applying to the CARE Summer Bridge Program, as well as exceptionally talented visual and performing artists and athletes.
Admitted Student Profile
4.2 - 4.6
Core GPA
30 - 33
ACT
1340 - 1450
SAT
* Represents the middle 50% of all admitted students for Summer/Fall 2025.
The Florida Board of Governors sets the minimum eligibility requirements in the State University System (SUS). Satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to Florida State University. Admission is selective, and admitted students typically exceed the minimum requirements.
Minimum Courses Required
English (4), Math (4), Natural Science (3), Social Science (3), World Language (2 sequential)
Average Courses Completed
by 2024 Accepted Students
English
Math
Natural Science
Social Science
World Language
Test Score Information
When evaluating students for admission, we use the highest earned ACT, CLT, and SAT sub scores to calculate the highest ACT, CLT and/or SAT total score (a process known as "super scoring").
In May 2023, the Classic Learning Initiatives, Inc. published The Concordance Relationship Between the Classic Learning Test (CLT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), establishing a concordance table between the CLT and the SAT.
FSU does not accept self-reported test scores from the Common App. Students should self-report their test scores on the Application Status Check using the Self-reported Test Scores form.
At least one test score must be submitted before the materials deadline, but additional tests may be considered if provided by the test score deadline:
Dates & Deadlines
Early Action (Florida Residents)
| Application Deadline | October 15, 2025 |
| Materials Deadline | October 22, 2025 |
| Additional Test Score Deadline | December 1, 2025 |
| Decision Release Date | December 11, 2025 |
Regular Decision (All Students)
| Application Deadline | December 1, 2025 |
| Materials Deadline | December 8, 2025 |
| Additional Test Score Deadline | January 1, 2026 |
| Decision Release Date | February 12, 2026 |
Rolling Decision (All Students)
| Application Deadline | March 1, 2026 |
| Materials Deadline | March 8, 2026 |
| Additional Test Score Deadline | March 8, 2026 |
| Decision Release Date | Rolling Basis in April |
For information about potential decisions for each release, please visit https://admissions.fsu.edu/first-year/decisions.
Starting in April 2025, the ACT exam no longer requires the Science subsection, though the 1-36 scoring scale remains unchanged. Beginning with the 2025-26 application cycle, FSU will no longer require a Science score to be eligible for admission. The ACT composite score (or, if using multiple test attempts, the composite superscore) used by FSU for admissions will now only include the English, Mathematics, and Reading subsections.
Guidance from the state of Florida is:
| Florida Board of Governors | The ACT Science subsection is not required for admission to Florida public universities under FL BOG 6.008. |
| Florida Department of Education | The ACT Science subsection is required for students to be eligible to receive the Bright Futures scholarship. |
Therefore, while the Science subsection will not be used in our composite superscoring calculations, we encourage Florida students to continue to take the Science subsection if they hope to receive the Bright Futures scholarship.
How-to: Self-Report Your Test Scores to Florida State University
Essay & Resume
The essay and resume provide another opportunity to learn more about you.
The essay, a required component of the application, should be no longer than 650 words, and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. Please choose a topic from the list below:
Application Essay Prompts
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
- Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
- Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
The resume should be no longer than two pages, and may be uploaded after the application has been submitted. It should include a list of activities such as (but not limited to) service work, employment, family contributions such as caring for siblings or sick relatives, and extracurricular and summer activities.
Please allow 3-4 business days for us to pull your essay and resume/activities if you submitted your application through the Common App.
Schoolhouse.world certifications
Schoolhouse.world is a free, globally available platform founded by Sal Khan of Khan Academy. Students can show subject mastery and tutor other students in courses including calculus, computer science, and statistics. Applicants to Florida State University can submit Schoolhouse.world certifications as an optional supplement to their application.
While these certifications do not fulfill official requirements like transcripts, they do help us better understand your academic preparedness and fit for Florida State University.
If you have certifications from Schoolhouse.world that you would like to share with us, please send us a copy of your Schoolhouse Portfolio to admissions@fsu.edu with the subject line, "Schoolhouse.world Portfolio."
Earning both a High School Diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree
A high school student earning both the standard high school diploma and an Associate in Arts (AA) degree must apply to FSU as a first-year student and adhere to the first-year admission deadlines. In addition, applicants may be subject to additional major deadlines/requirements. Carefully review all major requirements at Academic Program Guide.
Those students who are receiving an AA degree through dual enrollment from the Florida College System or the State University System of Florida no later than the date of their high school graduation but do not meet the admissions requirements under the Florida Board of Governors Admission Regulation 6.002, may be considered for admission under Florida Board of Governors Admission Regulation 6.005. Students admitted under this regulation are first-time-in-college (FTIC) students although they are not required to submit ACT, CLT, or SAT scores. However, they should meet the requirements for their selected major as listed in FSU's Academic Program Guide. If admitted, they must submit a $200 enrollment deposit, attend a first-year orientation session, and are eligible to apply for on-campus housing. Admitted students without a test score are not eligible to be considered for first-year merit scholarships from the Office of Admissions. Students considered for admission under FL BOG 6.005 will be required to submit all official college transcript(s) for evaluation prior to an admission offer being made; they must also provide a final official college transcript displaying the AA degree before enrolling at FSU. Any FTIC student admitted under this regulation must immediately notify the Office of Admissions if they will not receive their AA degree. All students admitted under this regulation who do not receive the Associate in Arts degree will have their offer of admission revoked.
Home Education and GED Information
Florida State University considers applications from students who participated in a Home-Education program, or who have earned a GED. Home-Education applicants must complete the STARS Record, while students earning a GED must submit official GED results along with an official, partial high school transcript. In addition, all applicants must submit at least one ACT, CLT, and/or SAT test score by the application deadline to be considered for admission. First-year admission is a holistic and selective process, and no single criterion guarantees admission to our university.
In May 2023, the Classic Learning Initiatives, Inc. published The Concordance Relationship Between the Classic Learning Test (CLT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), establishing a concordance table between the CLT and the SAT.