Want to be a Sun Devil? Before you don your maroon and gold, here’s everything you need to know about how to get into ASU, and the ASU admission requirements.
Arizona State is known for its top-ranked programs in management, environmental science and engineering, education, and economics. Lauded by U.S. News & World Report as the country’s most innovative school, ASU offers abundant research opportunities through programs like the ASU Startup Labs, the Biodesign Institute, the Barrett Honors College (recognized by the New York Times as the “gold standard” of honors colleges), and the world’s first school dedicated entirely to the field of sustainability. With over 75,000 students enrolled, ASU offers a combination of academic opportunity, top-tier faculty, vibrant campus culture, and affordability that makes it a highly sought after college for applicants from across the globe.
The ASU admissions process is managed by both the Common App and the school’s own application system. According to the ASU requirements, it does not matter which application you use. This article will take you through the most important things to keep in mind when applying to Arizona State University.
How hard is it to get into Arizona State University?
It is moderately difficult to get accepted to ASU. The grade point averages of people who get accepted to Arizona State are in the upper half of their class. ASU does not emphasize extracurricular activities in its admission factors, nor does it require an application essay.
ASU Acceptance Rate
The ASU acceptance rate is 88%, making it a highly accessible school. Acceptance rate is an indication of how competitive a school is, but it is also an indication of how popular a school is. To get into a school like Arizona State, you will need to perform well in some areas of your college application, including academic rigor, GPA and class ranking, as well as standardized test scores—although these are optional.
Arizona State Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Transfer Acceptance Rate
Arizona State University does not have any early action or early decision options. During ASU’s regular decision cycle, it received 61,603 applications and accepted 54,329 students (88%). Arizona State is a widely popular school to apply to.
*Note that ASU does offer a Priority Deadline. Applications received by the Priority Deadline are given the most consideration*
Arizona State University’s Transfer Acceptance Rate is high. Of 9,241 transfer applicants, 8,410 were admitted (91%).
Arizona State GPA Requirements
The ASU GPA requirements are between 3.0 and 4.0. You will need a high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top half of your class in order to get into ASU. If your GPA is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your standardized tests. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
ASU Unweighted GPA Requirements
What GPA is required for Arizona State?
Applicants’ GPA when applying to ASU should be between 3.0 and 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by having outstanding extracurricular activities, standardized test scores, or personal statement.
| GPA | % of Admitted Students |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 9.1% |
| 3.75-3.99 | 26.9% |
| 3.50-3.74 | 24.7% |
| 3.25-3.49 | 17.3% |
| 3.00-3.24 | 12.9% |
| 2.5-2.99 | 8.1% |
| 2.0-2.49 | 0.9% |
| 1.0-1.99 | 0.1% |
| Below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Arizona State SAT Requirements
Arizona State University is considered a “Test Optional” school, meaning it does not require standardized test scores, but will consider them if submitted. It’s up to you whether to submit your scores or not. There are a number of factors to consider as you make this decision, and you can read more about them here.
If you’re considering submitting your SAT score, ASU’s aptitude requirements show that an 112o composite score (1180 for nonresidents), combining the reading and math sections together is necessary for admission—note that ASU does NOT require the writing portion of this test. If your SAT is lower than suggested at the time you apply, you may have to perform above average on your other standardized tests or have a stronger GPA to compensate. If your grades aren’t as high as they could have been due to life experiences or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
What SAT score is required for ASU?
Applicants should score between 1110 and 1310 on their SAT to be strong candidates for admission to ASU. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute ACT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score can be submitted for application to this school.
| ASU SAT Distribution | Reading & Writing | Math |
|---|---|---|
| 700-800 | 11.8% | 16.6% |
| 600-699 | 42.3% | 36.5% |
| 500-599 | 36.7% | 38.5% |
| 400-499 | 8.7% | 7.5% |
| 300-399 | 0.5% | 0.9% |
| 200-299 | 0% | 0% |
Arizona State ACT Requirements
The ACT requirements for ASU are a 22 composite score (24 for nonresidents) combining all English, mathematics, reading, and science sections. If your ACT is not what you’d hoped by the time you apply, you may have to make it up by getting above-average scores on the SAT and having a high grade point average. If your ACT wasn’t as high as you’d like because of difficulties or hardship, you should consider writing about it in your additional information section.
What ACT score is required for Arizona State?
Applicants should score between 21 and 28 on their ACT to be strong candidates for admission to this school. Having less than this will require compensating by using a substitute SAT score or having an above-average GPA. Either an SAT or ACT score is required for application to this school.
| ASU ACT Distribution | Composite Score |
|---|---|
| 30-36 | 16.6% |
| 24-29 | 38.1% |
| 18-23 | 35.6% |
| 12-17 | 9.7% |
| 6-11 | 0.1% |
| Below 6 | 0% |
Arizona State University Application Deadlines
The ASU regular decision deadline is January 15. However, if the school does not fill the class, they will still accept applications on a rolling basis, until as late as May 1.
ASU also provides an alternative form of application in addition to regular decision: priority decision. ASU’s priority deadline is November 1. Below is a table showing the deadlines for each of the steps of the ASU admissions process.
| Notification Plan | Application Material | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Decision | Submit Test Scores | Optional, rolling |
| Regular Decision | Submit Application | Priority: Nov 1 | Regular: Jan 15 |
| Regular Decision | Submit Financial Aid Application (if still pending) | Priority: Jan 15, Rolling thereafter |
| Regular Decision | Admissions Decisions Released | As early as Sep 1 (rolling) |
ASU Supplemental Essay Prompts
Fortunately, ASU does not require any supplemental essay prompts!
Special thanks to Harrison for writing this blog post.
Harrison
Harrison is a writing coach, playwright, and college essay specialist. He strives to empower students to take ownership of the writing process and develop their voices as storytellers. He is an avid swimmer, voracious reader, crossword enthusiast, and proud uncle to the coolest girls in the world.
Top values: Curiosity | Creativity | Generosity
