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University Hall and the M trail on a sunny day from the Oval

Undergraduate Admissions

Freshman Admission Requirements

Freshman Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are those who have completed high school or its equivalent. Students who have completed fewer than 12 semester college-level credits at another college or university after high school graduation are considered incoming freshmen. Students who have earned any college-level course credit or advanced credits before graduating from high school are also considered incoming freshmen.

Transcripts

Submission of official transcripts issued from every regionally accredited institution a student previously attended are required, regardless of whether credit was earned or its applicability to your degree plan at UM. Upon enrollment at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, a final official transcript will be required showing grades for any transfer coursework that was in progress at the time of admission.

Request that official transcripts be sent directly from the institution to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Ñý¼§Ö±²¥
Gilkey Building
950 Arthur Ave.
Missoula MT 59812

Delivery Options:

Official college transcripts can either be sent via postal mail or electronically through a transcript clearinghouse like Parchment, Docufide, National Student Clearinghouse, Credentials, etc. When ordering an e-transcript, please provide TransferEvaluations@mso.umt.edu as the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ contact address.

College transcripts faxed directly from another Montana University System in-state institution with a macro-fax stamp are accepted as official. 

Please note that faxed, emailed, or scanned transcripts sent by Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ or parents are considered unofficial.

Basic Freshman Requirements

Students seeking general entry as freshmen to Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ programs, including those offered through Missoula College, must show one of the following:

  • Graduation from a high school accredited by a state accrediting agency, or
  • Passing scores on a high school equivalency completion assessment (HiSET, GED), or
  • ACT composite score or 19, or SAT combined score of 1010

Academic Preparation Requirements for Full Admission to UM bachelor’s degree programs

Freshmen Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ seeking first-time full-time general entry to UM’s four-year degree programs must meet one of the following admissions requirements:

  • ACT composite of 22, or
  • SAT combined score of 1120 or
  • a 2.50 cumulative grade point average, or
  • class rank in the upper half of their graduating class

College preparatory requirements

The Montana University System requires that you complete the following college preparatory requirements:

  • Four years of English.
  • Three years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II (or the sequential content equivalent of these courses). Students are encouraged to take a math course in their senior year.
  • Three years of social studies, including global studies (i.e. world history or world geography); American history; and government, economics, American Indian history or other third year courses.
  • Two years of laboratory science. One year must be earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics; the other year can be one of those sciences or another approved college prep laboratory science.
  • Two years chosen from the following:
    • foreign language (preferably two years), or
    • computer science, or
    • visual and performing arts, or
    • vocational education units.

Proficiency requirements

In order to be fully admitted to the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ (without conditions or provisions), Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ must demonstrate readiness in areas of mathematics and writing. Typically, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ demonstrate their readiness by fulfilling at least one criterion in each of the following proficiency requirement sections:

  • Students must also meet minimum proficiency scores in Math and English. Students must demonstrate a minimum Math Proficiency score of:

    • 22 on the ACT Math section or
    • 5 on the SAT Math test, or
    • A score of 3 or above on the AP Calculus AB or BC subject examination or a score of 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) calculus exam, or
    • A score of 50 or above on the CLEP subject examinations in selected topics [college algebra, college algebra-trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, or trigonometry]

    In lieu of the above score requirement, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can complete a rigorous high school core including four years of mathematics in high school (Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry & a course beyond Algebra II) and three years of laboratory science; or three years of mathematics including a course beyond Algebra II and four years of laboratory science with grades of C or higher.

  • Students must meet a minimum Writing Proficiency score of:

    • 18 on the Combined English/Writing section of the Optional Writing Test or a 7 on the Writing Subscore of the ACT; or
    • 25 on the writing and language test of the SAT; or
    • 3 on the AP English Language or English Literature Examination; or
    • 4 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Language A1 Exam or
    • 50 on the CLEP Subject Exam in Composition, or
    • 5 on the Montana University System Writing Assessment

    In lieu of the above score requirement, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can demonstrate a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher or a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 or higher AND a course grade of C or better in the 11th grade English course.

  • Students in the following categories are exempt from the academic preparation requirements for bachelor’s degree programs listed above, but will still be subject to Math and English proficiency requirements:

    • Non-traditional Freshmen (those who do not enter college for a period of at least three years from the date of high school graduation or from the date when they would have graduated from high school)
    • Non-degree undergraduate

    Freshmen who have not demonstrated Math and English proficiency levels at the time of admission will be required to sit for placement testing prior to first-term registration. Students who do not meet Mathematics and Writing proficiency requirements after testing will be advised to enroll immediately in Math and Writing coursework and will be encouraged to complete that coursework in their first 30 credits.

Other Freshman Admission Types

  • Traditional student applicants are those who enter college within three years of high school graduation or within three years from when they would have graduated from high school.

    1. Submit a complete UM undergraduate admission application and pay the application fee. There is no application fee for residents of Montana.
    2. Remember to send in an official HiSET or GED which must include test date and test scores. If you have not yet taken the GED or HiSET at the time you apply, then the following will be required for an admission decision:
      • ACT test score (minimum composite score of 22) or SAT test score (minimum combined score of 1120).

    If you took the HiSET in Montana, you can order an official copy of your HiSET be sent to UM from .

    If you took your GED/HiSET in another state, please contact your state's office of education for instructions on ordering your official score report.

  • Non-traditional applicants are those who enter college after three years after high school graduation or after three years from when they would have graduated from high school.

    1. Submit a complete UM undergraduate admission application and pay the $30 application fee. There is no application fee for residents of Montana.
    2. Remember to send in an official high school transcript, HiSET or GED which must include graduation or test date and final GPA or test scores.

    If you took the HiSET in Montana, you can order an official copy of your HiSET to be sent to UM from .

    If you took your GED/HiSET in another state, please contact your state's office of education for instructions on ordering your official score report.

  • Please see the Other Applicants page for for admission requirements for homeschool graduates.

  • Students who have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, but do not otherwise meet the admission requirements for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, may be admitted on a conditional basis. To be admitted conditionally, the Director of Admissions, or their designee, must determine that a student could be successful by taking advantage of the academic support services that are available. Students will be granted full admission after completing 24 credits with a grade point average of at least 2.0. Students are expected to complete the 24 credits within two semesters but must complete them within three semesters. In cases where academic preparation falls well below the admission standards listed above, applicants will be directed to the Missoula College where courses can be taken to strengthen their preparation for success at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.