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Application Information

How To Apply

  1. Complete the Shenandoah University undergraduate application

    Include the $30 application fee.
    Paper application is available by contacting the Office of Admissions at 540-665-4581 or admit@su.edu.

    If you have already created or submitted an application, log in here to check the status and other information. Shenandoah Application Self Service Center

  2. Submit official documents.
    • Official high school transcript form including senior year schedule.
    • Official SAT CollegeBoard or ACT test scores.
    • Official dual enrollment transcripts.

    Materials must be sent to:
    Shenandoah University
    Office of Admissions
    1460 University Drive:
    Winchester, VA 22601

    • Shenandoah’s SAT Code is: 5613
    • Shenandoah’s ACT Code is: 4396
    • Shenandoah’s CEEB Code is: 5613
  3. Shenandoah Conservatory applicants to music, theatre or dance programs are REQUIRED to complete an audition or portfolio review.

    Learn more about the Shenandoah Conservatory application process.

    Audition registration is completed concurrently while submitting academic admission materials.

  4. Submit optional application items.

Application Deadlines

Shenandoah University operates on rolling admissions. This means that applications are accepted throughout the year, without specific application deadlines.

You can expect a decision to be made within three weeks after all required admissions materials have been received. Please see the list of required materials below.

To best prepare you for a smooth and successful transition into Shenandoah, we recommend that all application materials be submitted prior to:

  • Priority consideration for Fall Semester Applicants: January 15
  • Priority consideration for Spring Semester Applicants: October 1

Freshmen Admissions Standards

Freshmen applications are reviewed holistically. Shenandoah University invites applicants to supply all evidence to indicate their competence and eagerness to succeed in a demanding and exciting program of study.

Academic Transcript

Applicants should complete a strong college preparatory schedule in high school including:

  • Three units of math, minimum (algebra I, algebra II, & geometry)
  • Two units of science (including one lab)
  • Students interested in health professions majors are encouraged to take four or more units of math and science.
  • Two units of a foreign language, in the same foreign language. Students who complete four units of the same foreign language are exempt from foreign language requirements at Shenandoah University.

Other distributions of academics may be appropriate for some curricula and will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Average GPA for the admitted freshman class of 2016 was 3.45

Middle 50% GPA for the admitted freshman class of 2016 was 3.05 – 3.84

Test Scores

Applicants must complete either the SAT or ACT standardized test. We do not have a preference and will use whichever score best reflects on the student.

  • SAT Test Scores
    • We will accept the pre-March 2016 SAT and the post-March 2016 SAT. We will super-score section scores on like exams. We will not super-score section scores from the different SAT versions.
  • ACT Test Scores
    • We do not require the optional written section of the ACT. 

Middle 50% SAT for the admitted freshman class of 2016 was 900-1140 (math & critical reading sections only)

Middle 50% ACT for the admitted freshman class of 2016 was 19-25 

Special requirements for specific programs

Some of our programs have specific admission requirements in addition to the general requirements:

For complete, detailed admissions guidelines, please see the Undergraduate Catalog

AP, IB higher-level & CLEP exams

Shenandoah University participates in the Advanced Placement program (AP), the International Baccalaureate Examination program (IB) for higher-level course, the Cambridge International program, and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students who have been officially admitted to Shenandoah must submit official copies of test results in order to receive credit.

To review the minimum passing scores and credit eligibility for individual tests, refer to the Undergraduate Catalog.

GED Applicants

Applicants may be considered for admission on the basis of the GED examination.
To be considered, students must achieve a standard score battery average of 450 (total score of 2,250) or higher with no individual test score below 410.
An admissions interview is also required.

Shenandoah University does not administer the GED examination. Interested applicants should consult the guidance department of a nearby high school for information about when and where the examinations can be taken.

Home-Schooled Applicants

Home-schooled applicants are considered on the basis of:

  • Transcript/records of home-school curriculum including transcripts from any high school or community college work taken for credit
  • Official SAT or ACT test scores
  • Written documentation of local school district approval of the home-school arrangement

Based upon academic credential and test scores, applicants may be required to complete an interview or submit General Educational Development (GED) scores.

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