Office of Undergraduate Admissions

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We want YOU to be a Buccaneer! Here’s where you can take the next step. Choose your student type to view requirements. 

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  • Freshman — I am a high school senior or first-time college student

    Apply for Admission as a Freshman/First-Year Student

    • Complete the online Application for Admission and pay the non-refundable $25 application fee.
      • If you have a Free Application Code, enter it when asked for an "Application Fee Discount or Promo Code".
        Students with demonstrated financial need who meet certain eligibility criteria may contact their admissions counselor about a free application code.
    • Submit your official transcript(s) to complete your application.
    • The Fall 2026 application is now open. 
    • Apply before the application deadline.

    View all Requirements for Admission as a Freshman

    Forward your High School Transcript

    Request that your official transcript be sent directly to ETSU by your high school. ETSU cannot accept documents from students--they must come from a school official.

    High school counselors can send transcripts by email to documents@etsu.eduor use an electronic transcript-sharing service.

    Alternatively, official paper copies can be mailed to: 

    The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    ETSU
    PO Box 70731
    Johnson City, TN 37614

    If you are a Home School student:

    • Students homeschooled through a homeschooling organizatin: Request that your homeschooling organization send your official transcript(s) and test score(s). If your organization does not have your test score(s), request they be sent directly from ACT/SAT College Board.
    • Students homeschooled directly by a parent/guardian must submit:

    Forward your Advanced Placement, College Transcript or other Collegiate Results

    If you have completed college-level courses as a dual-enrollment student while in high school you must request an official transcript be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the college or university through which you earned the credit.   If you have completed Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate other collegiate exams, you must request official score results be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the testing agency. It is important to record this credit prior to your registering for courses to avoid duplication at ETSU.

    Provide Test Scores

    ACT/SAT scores are not required for admission to ETSU. However, please keep in mind:

    • An ACT/SAT score is required to be considered for scholarships. Learn about guaranteed scholarships available for in-state and border county students on the Scholarship Office webpage.
    • An ACT/SAT test score helps you get placed in the right classes. If you do not provide an ACT or SAT score, you will be given an opportunity to take the Accuplacer test prior to coming to ETSU orientation. This test will help determine what classes you should take.
    • Certain academic programs will require test scores for admission into the program. 

    ETSU will superscore ACT/SAT scores for admission and scholarship decisions. Test-takers should request their scores be sent to ETSU electronically by the test agency.

  • Transfer — I am an undergraduate student transferring to ETSU from another college

    Apply for Admission as a Transfer Student

    • Complete the online application for admission and pay the non-refundable $25 application fee.
      • If you have a Free Application Code, enter it when asked for an "Application Fee Discount or Promo Code".
        Students with demonstrated financial need who meet certain eligibility criteria may contact their transfer admissions counselor about a free application code.
    • Submit your official transcript(s) to complete your application.
    • The Fall 2026 application is now open. 
    • Apply before the application deadline.

    Admission Requirements

    View all Requirements for Admission as a Transfer Student
    ETSU Transfer Students website

    Students transferring must meet the GPA requirements below:

    Attempted Hours GPA
    1 - 29.0 1.4
    29.1 - 45 1.7
    45.1 - 59.9  1.9
    60+ 2.0

    Applicants who have enrolled for one term only at any other college or university without obtaining the required grade point average for transfer and who meet regular freshman admission standards may be admitted on appropriate academic probation.

    *Note: Remedial and developmental courses are not used in determining eligibility for transfer admission.

    Transfer Admission Process

    An application for admission as a transfer student will be considered complete and ready for review when the Office of Admissions has received the following:

    • the completed application for admission
    • the $25 application processing fee or valid free application code
    • official transcripts from each college or university attended
    • you may be requested to submit your official high school transcript if  you only completed 1 American history course prior to transferring

    A complete application will be evaluated for admission. Students offered admission will be provided with a comprehensive transfer articulation review.

    *Note: Due to the high volume of requests, we are unable to offer a comprehensive transfer articulation review prior to an admission decision. You may use the Transfer Course Equivalency Table to get an unofficial review of how your courses may transfer.

    Forward Transcripts

    Request that your official transcripts be sent directly to ETSU by all previous colleges/universities you have attended. ETSU cannot accept documents from students--they must come from an institution official. 

    Institution officials may submit transcripts by email to documents@etsu.edu or through an electronic transcript-sharing service.

    Official paper copies can be mailed to: 

    The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    ETSU
    PO Box 70731
    Johnson City, TN 37614

    Transfer Course Equivalency Table

    Interested in transferring to ETSU? Want to see how your courses may transfer? Get started with the Transfer Course Equivalency Table.

    Tennessee Transfer Pathways

    For information regarding Tennessee Transfer Pathways, please visit https://www.tntransferpathway.org

    Forward Dual-Enrollment College Transcript / Advanced Placement or other collegiate results

    If you have completed college-level courses as a dual-enrollment student while in high school or through the Advanced Placement Program or other collegiate services, you must request an official transcript be forwarded to the Office of Admissions. It is important to record this credit to avoid duplication at ETSU.

    Transfer Academic Performance Scholarship

    The Transfer APS scholarship has been expanded to include another award level.

    • $3,000 per year for admitted students with a cumulative 3.5 or higher GPA and at least 24 transferrable hours.
    • $1,500 per year for admitted students with a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA at at least 24 transferrable hours.

    Awards are renewable for up to 6 semesters (fall and spring). Visit this page for details.

  • International — For foreign nationals seeking to study at ETSU

    International Student Application Steps

    ETSU has an office dedicated to serving international students. Please apply for admission through ETSU International Enrollment and Services. 

  • Returning — I started but have not finished my bachelor’s degree at ETSU

    All former ETSU students who have not been enrolled for one major term (spring or fall) must apply for readmission.

    If you have attended another college or university since your last enrollment at ETSU, you must request each college to send an official transcript to the

    • Office of Admissions
      ETSU
      PO Box 70731
      Johnson City, TN 37614


    *Note: Attending another college or university during a period of academic dismissal from ETSU may adversely affect your readmission.

  • 2nd Undergraduate Degree — I want to complete a 2nd bachelor’s degree

    If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree from ETSU or another college or university, and you want to earn a second bachelor's degree from ETSU, you should:

    Requirements Include:

    • Complete the undergraduate application online.
    • Pay the non-refundable application fee of $25. (Not required for former ETSU students).
    • Request that each college or university you have attended send official transcripts to
      • The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
        ETSU
        PO Box 70731
        Johnson City, TN 37614
    • Apply and provide all official transcripts by the deadline date for second bachelor candidates.
      • Spring Term - January 12
      • Fall Term - August 26
    • Consult your major academic department for additional requirements and deadlines for specific degree programs.

    *Note: If you are planning to complete additional undergraduate courses after earning a Bachelor's degree in preparation for entering a professional school such as Medical College, you should not apply for a second undergraduate degree. Only those planning to earn a second bachelor's degree should use this application form.

  • Dual Enrollment — I am in high school but want to take college classes

    Students who have completed the sophomore or junior year in high school may be eligible to enroll for ETSU courses while in high school. 

    Visit the ETSU Dual Enrollment Webpage

  • Visiting — I would like to take classes at ETSU but get my degree from another university

    If you are pursuing a degree at another college or university and would like to complete courses at ETSU as an undergraduate visiting student (during summer or other semesters), you should apply as a special student.

    If you have not ever attended ETSU, you will need to submit the $25 application fee. Apply before the application deadline.

    You should request a Letter of Good Standing from your college or university be sent to

    • Office of Admissions
      ETSU
      PO Box 70731
      Johnson City, TN 37614
  • Special/Non-Degree Seeking — I am not seeking a degree; I just want to take a few classes

    If you are not interested in pursuing a degree but would like to take an undergraduate course for professional reasons or personal interests, complete the online application and select “Special” as your student type.

    If you have not applied to ETSU before, you will need to submit the non-refundable $25 application fee.
    Apply before the application deadline.

    If a course you want to take has pre-requisites, transcripts of previous college work may be requested.

Check My Application Status

You may track the status of your ETSU application online through ETSU's GoldLink web portal.

After you've submitted your application and paid the $25 application fee, you will be emailed an ETSU ID number (E Number). Activate your account using your E Number and begin using your applicant GoldLink and ETSU Email. 

Login to GoldLink to see if your application is missing any required documents (for example, official transcripts). If needed, please submit these documents so that your application can become complete and ready for review. 

Update My Application

If you have an active application with East Tennessee State University but you need to change your application information, view step-by-step instructions here.

If you have questions, please contact us at 423-439-4213 or admissions@etsu.edu.

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