Note: All policies are based on the expectation that students have graduated from high school or earned their GED. Students who have neither are ineligible for admission to the university.
First-Time Freshman (under age 25)
Students who have earned Dual Enrollment/Early Start credit and never attended another postsecondary institution should apply as a first-time freshman. This includes students who graduated in May/June, started the summer at another institution and desire to start at Nicholls in the fall.
For High School Records which can be downloaded from the State of Louisiana (STS):
| Effective Term | Core Requirement | # Developmental Courses | Minimum HS GPA | Must have one of the following | Minimum ACT Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Summer 2012 | Completion of Core 4 Curriculum (19 units)* | No more than one developmental course | Overall HS GPA of 2.0 or better with 21 Composite ACT | Minimum Overall HS GPA of 2.35 if ACT is less than 21 | 16 Composite 18 english OR 19 Math |
| Effective Summer 2014 | Completion of Core 4 Curriculum (19 units)* | No need for developmental courses | Overall HS GPA of 2.0 or better with 21 ACT Composite | Minimum Overall HS GPA of 2.35 if ACT Composite is BELOW 21 | 16 Composite18 English AND 19 Math |
* Completion of Core 4 Curriculum (19 units) as defined in the Core 4 Curriculum listed in Department of Education Bulletins 741 http://doe.state.la.us/bese/policies.html
For High School Records which cannot be downloaded from the State of Louisiana (STS):
This includes Louisiana High School Graduates prior to 2003, Accredited Home School Programs*, First-time Freshman students from Out-of-State High Schools, and GED Students
* Students from accredited home school programs must submit an official high school transcript from their program. The program must provide documentation that it is accredited and recognized.
There are three categories for consideration for records NOT found in STS. Students may be admitted if they are eligible under one of these criteria:
Criteria 1 – Current minimum criteria for records found in STS (see above)
* Completion of Core 4 Curriculum (19 units) as defined in the Core 4 Curriculum listed in Department of Education Bulletins 741 (http://doe.state.la.us/bese/policies.html)
Criteria 2 – Student must meet all the criteria in the categories below by effective term
| Effective Term | Core Requirement | # Developmental Courses | Must Have All of the Following: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Spring 2012 | Regents/TOPS core (17.5 units) | No more than one developmental course | Minimum Overall HS GPA of 2.35 AND ACT Composite 21 |
| Effective Summer 2012 | Students who have < 19 but at least 17 units of the required Core 4 curriculum may be admitted if they have the minimum HS core GPA on those 17-18 units+ | No more than one developmental course | Minimum Overall HS GPA of 2.35 AND ACT Composite 21 |
| Effective Summer 2014 | Students who have < 19 but at least 17 units of the required Core 4 curriculum may be admitted if they have the minimum HS core GPA on those 17-18 units+ | No need for developmental courses | Minimum Overall HS GPA of 2.35 AND ACT Composite 21 |
Criteria 3 – Student must meet all the criteria in the categories below by effective term
| Effective Term | Minimum ACT composite | # Developmental Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Through Spring 2012 | ACT Composite of 23 or higher | No more than one developmental course |
| Effective Summer 2012 | ACT Composite of 23 or higher | No more than one developmental course |
| Effective Summer 2014 | ACT Composite of 23 or higher | No need for developmental courses |
+ For students NOT reported in STS: Determined by admitting university with a documented procedure for evaluation of high school transcript, allowing for appropriate course substitution to determine equivalent core.
Note: GED students may be admitted under this provision (criteria 3).
First-time Freshman Admissions Exceptions
Nicholls State University may admit students who do not meet all stated admissions requirements in accordance with the Board of Regents Master Plan. Nicholls State University will consider first-time freshmen with an ACT composite of at least 16. Admissions decisions will be made considering each applicant’s potential for success and will include factors such as ACT score, special talents, and the University’s commitment to a demographically diverse student population. To be considered for an exception, students must have a minimum 2.00 high school GPA.
Louisiana High School Transcripts & GPA Determination
All transcripts for Louisiana graduates after 2003 are downloaded from the Louisiana State Student Transcript System. The unweighted grade point average, as reported by STS is what is used to determine admission. No other gpas may be considered for admissions.Students Ineligible for Admission to the UniversityStudents that are not admitted are encouraged to attend one of the Louisiana Community/Technical colleges. Students may transfer to the university once they have met the minimum transfer admission requirements. Nicholls State University has a partnership with Fletcher Technical Community College and encourages students not eligible to start at Nicholls to begin their educational career at Fletcher.
GED Students and Non-Accredited Home School Programs
Students who receive their GED or graduate from Non-Accredited Home School Programs who are under the age of 25 must submit ACT scores with a minimum 23 Composite score in order to be admitted and demonstrate no need for remedial coursework. Home School StudentsStudents from accredited home school programs shall be processed as a regular first-time freshman. These students shall need to provide a copy of the recognition as a home school program from the state of Louisiana or proof of accreditation.Students from a nonaccredited home school program shall be processed as if they have a GED (N-FG). These students must have a 23 Composite on their ACT in order to be admitted.Programs that are accepted by Nicholls State University:
- American School – www.Americanschoolofcorr.com
- Ashworth University (Formerly Madison HS) – www.ashworthuniversity.edu
- Penn Foster Career School – www.pennfoster.edu
- Mother of Diving Grace – www.motherofdivinegrace.org
Note: This is not a complete listAccrediting Bodies that are accepted:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools