Associate Degree

We know there’s more to your story than a GPA and test scores. GPAs, class rankings and course options vary widely between high schools so we do a comprehensive review of your application. Although we consider both academic and non-academic factors, classroom performance remains the most important factor in our review process. We’ll take a close look at your high school transcript and evaluate both the challenge of your high school courses and your academic performance. We’ll also consider your extracurricular activities, personal achievements, community service, family commitments, employment responsibilities and any other information that you’d like to provide.

Your academic preparation – specifically the strength of your high school coursework – is an important piece of the admission decision. Listed below are the minimum course requirements for strong consideration of your application. Students who are most competitive for admission typically exceed these unit requirements.

*A unit equals one academic year of a subject.

Letters of recommendation (no more than two) are only encouraged if you don’t think your transcript accurately reflects your true abilities as a student. The most impactful recommendation letters are provided by teachers and others who can speak directly about your academic potential.

Have you taken some college classes in high school? Learn more about credit you may have already earned here.

When you apply to UW-River Falls, you have the choice if you would like to submit your standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) as part of your admission application. When completing your application for admission, you’ll select one of three options: (1) if you would like your application to be reviewed without test scores (Test-Optional), (2) if you plan to submit test scores or (3) if you’re unsure. If you choose to include your test scores, they will be considered in your admission decision. If you choose to apply Test-Optional, you won’t be penalized for not submitting scores.

Note: Students who are applying from secondary schools that provide written evaluations in lieu of traditional grades or students who have been homeschooled, attend online high schools or who are enrolled in other non-traditional secondary school programs are encouraged to submit standardized test scores.

If you’re satisfied with your scores and think they accurately reflect your academic achievements, we encourage you to include them with your application. If you don’t think your scores accurately reflect your academic ability and potential or if you weren’t able to take a standardized test due to COVID-19, you should consider applying Test-Optional.

If you choose to include your test scores, they’ll be considered in your admission decision. If you choose to apply Test-Optional, you won’t be penalized for not submitting test scores.

If you apply Test-Optional, standardized test scores won’t be considered in the review process, even if they’ve already been submitted to us by you or the testing agency.

You will be considered for merit-based scholarships whether you submit test scores or not. When determining your scholarship award, we’ll look at the same factors we considered when evaluating your application for admission – primarily your high school academic performance. Standardized test scores will be factored into your scholarship award if you choose to submit them, but you won’t be disadvantaged for scholarship funding if you choose to apply without them.

NOTE: In rare exceptions, test scores may be required if you want to be considered for one of our University Foundation scholarship programs.

Yes! Students are eligible for the Honors Program if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Composite ACT score of 27 or higher OR
• Graduated in the top 10% of high school class OR
• Have a cumulative high school GPA of 3.75 or higher