SPECIAL ADMISSIONS PROGRAM

Students initially denied admission may have their applications reconsidered via two special programs: (1) The Provisional Summer Program: This program allows the 500 students who come closest to the regular admission criteria for that year to take 9 hours of regular first-year coursework during the summer session. Students who pass all courses with a 2.0 GPA or better are admitted for the fall. (2) For students who do not qualify for (1) or who cannot attend summer classes may apply to the Special Admissions program for a hearing. In this hearing, a committee composed of admissions staff, faculty, and a student representative decide whether the applicant demonstrates unusual promise in areas not adequately measured by the regular admission standards. According to the policy set by the Texas State Board of Regents, up to 100 students--and no more--may be admitted each year through recommendation of the Special Admissions committee.

The Special Admissions committee has already recommended students for 98 of this year's 100 slots: only two more can be admitted. Their last hearing, in which they will consider the final four students who have applied for review, is scheduled for a week from today. The hearing will be "open"--that is, all candidates and their families and advocates will be allowed to hear the cases of the competing applicants. The advocates for each applicant will be allowed to argue their case before the committee; the committee's decision will be announced shortly thereafter. The two students who are chosen will be able to attend TSU in the fall; the others will have to go to school elsewhere or wait another year to reapply.
 

Texas State University Admission Standards

Requirements for Automatic Admission:  First-time freshman applicants will be automatically admitted to the University if they meet one of the three following minimum criteria: (1) A combined score of 1150 or better on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or a composite score of 24 or better on the American College Test (ACT). (2) A high school grade-point average of 3.4 or higher on a 4-point scale. (3) A rank in the first quartile (top 25%) of the applicant's high school graduating class. Summer Provisional Admission:  Each year, the 500 students who come closest to meeting the Requirements for Automatic Admission will be invited to participate in the Summer Provisional Program. Participants who meet the following requirements during the summer will be admitted for regular enrollment in the fall: (1) Completion of 9 credit hours of first-year required courses, offered through the Summer Provisional Program. Students may choose three courses from the following: Composition I, College Algebra, Chemistry I, Physics I, Calculus I, American History Survey, or Introduction to Western Philosophy. (2) A grade-point average of 2.0 or higher in Summer Provisional courses, with no grade lower than a C-.

---