Admission of high school students to Kansas State Universities is described by the "Qualified Admissions Statute." (76-717) The purpose of the statute is to enhance success at the university by ensuring that high school students are prepared for the rigors of a university education.

Qualified Admissions applies to Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, University of Kansas, and Wichita State Univerity.

Qualified Admissions does not apply to Washburn University, community colleges, technical colleges and private postsecondary institutions.

 

 

 

 

 

ADMISSION TO STATE UNIVERSITIES

 

The ways of gaining admission to a State University.

 

• Graduate from an accredited high school AND:

 

Achieve an ACT score of 21 or higher. 

 

1. What will be the definition of having an ACT score of 21 or higher?

The ACT (or SAT) composite score only will be used. There will be no option to use highest subscores from different tests.

2. Will the SAT be used to admit students and, if so, what score must students achieve?

An SAT-I Recentered score of 980 or higher will be used to admit students to the Regents universities.

3. Is there a deadline for receiving ACT scores? Can the ACT be taken residually? Can the best score be used, or only the latest score?

There is no deadline for receiving scores. The ACT can be taken residually. The best composite score will be used.

 

2. Rank in the top 1/3 of the high school's graduating class. 

 

1. How and when should the top third of the class be calculated?

A student's highest rank in class as reported by the high school at the end of either the 7th or 8th semester will be used. In all cases, the student's final highest rank in class must place the student within the top third of the class. See item 7 below.

2. If a high school does not rank students, will its students have to meet one of the other criteria?

Yes.

3. Is class rank to be computed based on total curriculum or the pre-college curriculum?

The top 1/3 of the applicant's high school class is a separate admissions criterion. Therefore, a student's 7th or 8th semester class rank should be reported by the high school based on the student's total curriculum. High Schools should report the total number of students in the applicant's class and the applicant's numerical rank in the class.

The same procedures will be followed when determining eligibility of students who have graduated from out-of-state high schools. Students who have graduated from out-of-state high schools will be required to submit either 7th or 8th semester high school transcripts and corresponding rank in class information. Each Regents University admissions office will evaluate the nature and level of the high school courses appearing on the official transcript from an out-of-state high school accredited by a regional accrediting association on the basis of available information.

In all cases, the student's final highest rank in class must place the student within the top third of the class.

 

Complete the Qualified Admissions Pre-college curriculum with a 2.0 GPA for Kansas residents and a 2.5 GPA for non-residents.  

Additional requirements also apply to Qualified Admission courses. For example, see the definition of "pre-college" (PDF in Folder) in the QA regulations.

Curricular Area: English - 4 Units Required

Required content for Qualified Admission English courses is described at the links below.
(Following PDFs in Folder)

• Requirements for all English courses

• English I

• English II

• English III

• English IV

Curricular Area: Mathematics - 3 Units Required

Required content for Qualified Admission Mathematics courses is described at the links below. Additional requirements also apply to Qualified Admission courses.

• Requirements for all Mathematics courses

• Algebra I

• Geometry

• Algebra II 

Curricular Area: Social Science - 3 Units Required

Required content for Qualified Admission Social Science courses is described at the links below. Additional requirements also apply to Qualified Admission courses.

• Anthropology

• Current Social Issues

• Economics

• U.S. Government

• U.S. History

• International Relations

• Psychology

• Sociology

• World Geography

• World History

Curricular Area: Natural Science - 3 Units Required

Required content for Qualified Admission Natural Science courses is described at the links below. Additional requirements also apply to Qualified Admission courses.

• Requirements for all Natural Science courses

• Biology

• Advanced Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Earth/Space Science

• Principles of Technology 

 

4. Apply for the 10% exceptions window. 

 

10% Exceptions Window for Kansas Residents

1. Section 2 (4) of the Qualified Admission statute indicates that each Regents university shall establish a policy permitting admission of not more than 10% of the "total number of freshman class admissions" as exceptions to minimum standards. How will the Regents universities admit students through the 10% Exceptions Window?

a. The intent of the Kansas legislature in this section was that not more than 10% of the enrolled freshman class be students who were admitted as exceptions.

Each Regents university will target the number of admits as exceptions by determining 10% of the previous year's freshman class headcount on the 20th day of the Fall, Spring and Summer semester.

b. Admission through the 10% exceptions window applies only to bona fide residents of Kansas, determined by law, rules and regulations as "substantially similar" to those used in determining residency for tuition purposes.

Some students are allowed to pay resident fees but are still classified as nonresidents. These students will not be included in the 10% exceptions window.

c. Each Regents university will establish procedures for the admission of students through the 10% exceptions window. 

Complete 24 transferable credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or better. 

 

VI. Transfer Students and Community College Credit

The Qualified Admissions statute provides for the admission of students to the Regents universities who have earned 24 semester credit hours with a 2.0 or better GPA at a regionally accredited community college, university or other college.

1. What are the options available to transfer students who did not otherwise meet Qualified Admissions Standards and who take one to 23 credit hours at a regionally accredited community college, university or other college after high school? Are they considered freshman for admission purposes?

Students who seek admission to a Regents university and do not otherwise meet Qualified Admissions Standards may complete 24 credit hours of course work at a regionally accredited community college, university or other college with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in order to be admitted. Applicants who have earned fewer than 24 semester credit hours at another college or university must have a 2.0 GPA in their college coursework and otherwise meet the Qualified Admissions standards. The following are possible options for students under 21 years of age with less than 24 credit hours earned at a regionally accredited community college, university or other college:

a. Students are considered freshmen and must meet Qualified Admission standards.

b. Students may be admitted through the 10% exceptions window, with institutional policies governing admission through the window.

c. Students may continue at the regionally accredited community college, university or other college until 24 hours are completed.

For admission purposes a new student must meet qualified admission standards unless transferring 24 or more hours of credit from another accredited institution with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

2. Will there be exceptions to the indication that all students who have obtained 24 semester hours before transferring will be accepted? Will the exceptions be counted in the 10% window? What about a student who did not meet the requirements from high school but has completed twelve hours at another institution?

Students transferring with 24 or more credit hours of 2.0 (4.0) GPA will be admitted to all Regents' Universities. Students seeking admission with fewer than 24 credit hours may be admitted through the options discussed in 1 above.

3. The statute provides for admission of transfer students with 24 and more hours. What options are available for students who earn less than 24 college credit hours either before or after high school graduation?

Students earning less than 24 college credit hours after high school graduation will be considered current high school graduates and required to meet Qualified Admission standards. Students graduating from high school with less than 24 semester college credit hours must qualify for admission through one of the three main doors or may be admitted through the exceptions window.

4. Can community college course work taken after high school graduation be used to satisfy the pre-college curriculum requirements?

No. Community college course work may be taken to satisfy the requirements of the pre-college curriculum only if the high school awards high school credit for the community college course work to the student before graduation from high school. Such credit must appear on the student's high school transcript and indicated on the pre-college curriculum form.

Kansas Residents Who are 21 or Older

The admission requirements below apply to any Kansas resident who has earned fewer than 24 credit hours (from an institution of higher education) that are transferable to a state university.

Requirements for Guaranteed Admission to a State University

1. Graduate from an accredited high school or

2. Earn the GED with an overall score of 2550 and a minimum score of 510 on each subtest.

Students who do not meet either of the above requirements may petition the university of his or her choice for admission under the "10% exception window." Admission is NOT guaranteed. Each state university has its own policies for admission under the "10% exception window."

Kansas Residents Who Have Not Graduated From an Accredited High School

 

The admission requirements below apply to any Kansas resident who has not graduated from an accredited high school and who has earned fewer than 24 credit hours (from an institution of higher education) that are transferable to a state university.

To be guaranteed admission to a state university, the applicant must earn the GED with an overall score of 2550 and a minimum score of 510 on each subtest or score 21 or higher on the ACT.

Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may petition the state university of his or her choice for admission under the "10% exception window." Admission is NOT guaranteed. Each state university has its own policies for admission under the "10% exception window." 

Learn about the Approved Qualified Admissions Curricula at High Schools.

Brochure for Kansas Scholars Program The Kansas Scholars brochure is available for download. Read more.

Approved Curricula Approved Qualified Admissions Curricula at High Schools Read more.

Curriculum Standards Qualified Admissions FAQ Read more.

QA Requirements Qualified Admissions Requirements Read more.