Admission Requirements

What does it take to be admitted to Frostburg State?

Frostburg State looks for students prepared to join in the life of an intellectual community. Our admission counselors review each application carefully, taking into consideration your academic background, life experiences and interests.

Course Requirements

In terms of our academic requirements, it's not only about having a set of required classes under your belt. We look for students who have been successful in a variety of challenging courses, especially those that are above and beyond what’s required for graduation.

Prior to high school graduation, we require you to complete a minimum of:

4 units of English
3 units of social science / history
3 units of biological and physical science in at least two different subject areas. Two of the units must include a laboratory experience.
4 units of mathematics. Math coursework must include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Students who complete Algebra II prior to their final year must complete the four-year mathematics requirement by taking a course or courses that utilize non-trivial algebra.
2 units of a foreign language or, in Maryland, 2 units of advanced technology

Homeschooled Students

All freshmen applicants, whether attending a high school or in a homeschool program, will be considered with the same admission standards. Homeschooled freshman applicants are required to submit an official transcript that includes the following information:

Homeschool program contact information (name, email address, phone number)
Student’s demographic information (name, date of birth, address, email address, phone number)
Name of each class (9th-12th grades including all courses projected to take for senior year)
Grading scale used in your homeschool, weight for advanced, honors courses (if any)
Individual course grades, credit count and cumulative GPA 9-11 (indicate if the GPA is weighted or unweighted, indicate both GPAs if available)
Special notations for classes that were taught through a local college, taught by a separate tutor, taught in a homeschool consortium, etc.
Anticipated or final graduation date
Signature of person issuing transcript and date (this can be parents acting as a school administrator)
Proof of review by homeschool umbrella or school district homeschool coordinator

Test Scores (Optional)

Frostburg State has made submitting test scores optional as part of its holistic review of applications. This decision supports our commitment to reducing barriers for students who plan to apply to Frostburg State but are unable to take or re-take the SAT or ACT.

The university offers the following guidance:

Applicants who have taken the SAT or ACT and feel their scores reflect their abilities should submit them for admission consideration.
Applicants who do not have scores, who had limited opportunities to retake the ACT or SAT more than once, or who feel that their scores do not reflect their ability to be successful at Frostburg State will be reviewed for admission based on their high school transcript (including coursework), cumulative GPA, grade trends, and the strength of their high school curriculum.
Applicants will receive full consideration in the admissions process and in review for merit scholarships even if they are unable or choose not to submit an ACT or SAT score.

Frostburg State School Codes

SAT code: 5402
ACT code: 1714

Admission Essay (Optional)

Freshmen applicants may submit a one-page, typed, personal statement to help the Admissions Committee become better acquainted with you and your communication skills. Your name and birthdate should be included at the top of the statement. This personal statement should focus on one of the following topics:

While many students entering college for the first time are undecided about their intended area of study, you may believe that you do know what area you wish to study. Write an essay discussing the decision process that has helped you focus on your intended area of study. 2
Certain areas of study tend to be talent-based – for example, music, theatre and art. If you intend to pursue such an area of study, write an essay in which you discuss when and how you discovered your talent(s) and how you intend to pursue developing your talent(s) during your college studies.
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement or risk that you have taken and its impact on you.
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national or international concern and its importance to you.
Indicate a person who has had significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
Describe a character in fiction, an historical figure or a creative work (as in art, music, science etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence

Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

For full application and scholarship consideration, students are encouraged to submit 1-2 letters of recommendation who can speak to your ability to be academically successful.