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College Admission Requirements Checklist
The documents, courses and scores to line up before you apply to a four-year college.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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This list is for a high school senior or returning adult applying to a US four-year college. Many schools look at course units on your transcript. Colorado's public four-year schools recommend 17 units across six subject areas and are test optional. Starting fall 2026, the UNC System requires ACT 17 or higher or SAT 930 or higher from applicants aged 20 or younger with fewer than 24 transferable credits and a weighted GPA of 2.50 to under 2.80. Service members with three or more years of active duty are exempt from the UNC minimum GPA, test and course requirements, but campus requirements still apply. Each school sets its own bar, so confirm with its admissions office.
Why these items are on the list
- Official high school transcript. At the University of Alabama, emailed transcripts must be PDFs sent directly from the school or counselor.
- High school equivalency scores. Colorado public colleges accept GED, HiSET or TASC scores instead of a diploma. Minimums don't guarantee admission.
- 4 units of English. Every school here that lists English units asks for four.
- 3 to 4 units of math. Colorado recommends going through Algebra 2. Some programs want you ready for calculus.
- 3 units of natural science. Include lab courses. The UNC System also wants a life science and a physical science.
- 2 to 3 units of social science. Asks range from two to three. The UNC System wants a U.S. history unit among them.
- World language and electives. Colorado recommends 1 world language unit and 2 academic electives. Check your school's mix.
- Weighted GPA, if a minimum applies. The UNC System sets a 2.5 weighted GPA minimum. Colorado's published GPA ranges are guides, not cutoffs.
- Check the test-optional policy. Colorado's public four-year schools have been test optional by state law since 2021. Others still ask.
- Test scores, if required. UNC, fall 2026 on: ACT 17 or SAT 930 or higher at 2.50 to under 2.80 GPA; exemptions exist.
- Official score reports. At the University of Alabama, self-reported scores require official ACT or SAT reports before you enroll.
- Application fee or waiver. Colorado says most public four-year schools charge a fee, and nearly all offer waivers year-round.
- Extracurriculars, work and leadership. Colorado's public schools weigh internships, work, sports and leadership alongside grades.
- Honors, AP, IB or college courses. Colorado: these strengthen applications; a C or better in a college course taken in high school satisfies that subject's HEAR.
- Immunization records, if required. SUNY Empire cites state law requiring proof for students taking six or more in-person credits.
- Program-specific extras. SUNY Empire Early Childhood: about 500-word essay, 2.5 GPA recalculated from up to last 60 credits, letter optional, strongly recommended.
- Credential evaluation for foreign diplomas. SUNY Empire requires a NACES-approved service, with the report sent directly from the service, not you.
- Official college transcripts, if transferring. SUNY Empire requires them sent directly from your previous college. Colorado uses combined GPA from all colleges after high school.
- Statement for a gap since graduation. Alabama may ask first-time freshmen to list academic activities after a gap of six or more months.
- Confirm with each admissions office. Some institutions and majors have requirements beyond the system minimums.
Tick each item as the document is sent, and recheck the list for every school you apply to, since each sets its own bar.
When to use it
Use it before you start any application, early enough to request transcripts and score reports.