Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation

Under the policies and conditions set forth below, a student may be accepted for undergraduate admission to NMSU as either:

Degree-Seeking Students

How to Apply as a First-Time Student

Requirements for admission as a degree-seeking student:

All applicants with tentative admission must submit a final, official high school transcript showing a graduate date before a final admission decision is granted. If the student also attended a non-NMSU system post-secondary institution during high school, official transcripts from each institution will also be needed. If the high school attended was outside of the United States, a professional foreign credential evaluation from a NACES company will also be required.

Freshman Admission Requirements

Students who meet the minimum high school course requirements of the state from which they receive their high school diploma must meet one of the following criteria in order to be admitted:

Applicants who meet at least one of the above criteria will be admitted to NMSU. An applicant who does not meet admission requirements may be admitted if a review of additional academic information indicates that the student would be successful at NMSU. When reviewing the admissibility of students, Undergraduate Admission considers many factors, including high school GPA, test scores, dual-credit coursework, leadership experience, community involvement, and other accomplishments. Applicants may be asked for additional information, including a personal statement, to support their application.

Note for students about scholarships: Although home school students only need to submit a high school transcript for admission to NMSU, a New Mexico GED or HiSET may be required to be eligible for state-funded scholarships. Similarly, the ACT or SAT scores may be needed for out-of-state students for competitive scholarships.

More information about scholarships is available at https://fa.nmsu.edu/scholarships

Aggie Pathway

In the Aggie Pathway program, the NMSU system works together to assist students who do not meet the admission requirements to the university or who choose to start at one of the system's community colleges. Aggie Pathway students begin at one of NMSU's community college campuses. They may transition to the university campus upon meeting the following requirements:

Students enrolling through NMSU Doña Ana Community College campus also have access to on-campus housing and dining.

More information about Aggie Pathway is available at https://aggiepathway.nmsu.edu/.

Aggie Welcome and Orientation

Orientation for all new first-time and transfer students is mandatory. At NMSU's Aggie Welcome and Orientation (AWO) programs, students will attend information sessions, learn about campus resources and college life, meet with an academic advisor, and register for classes.

If students have taken an ACT or SAT, they must submit official scores before attending an AWO program, as these scores are used to place students into courses during academic advising. If test scores are unavailable, students may be asked to take the Math Placement Exam and English Placement Questionnaire before orientation.

More information about Aggie Welcome and Orientation is available at https://awo.nmsu.edu/.

Nondegree- Seeking Students

How to Apply as a Nondegree Seeking Student

Non-degree admission is designed to meet the needs of students who do not wish to pursue a degree at NMSU. Courses taken in this status may not be used to meet university admission requirements. Students interested in using non-degree credit for initial teacher certification or certification in a new field must contact the College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation.

Non-degree students are ineligible to:

Transcripts from the last post-secondary institution or high school may be required to assure readiness for university-level courses. A $25 one-time, nonrefundable application fee is required.

Non-degree students are subject to the same university regulations as degree-seeking students.

Changing from Nondegree Status

A non-degree student in good academic standing at NMSU must submit a written request for a change of status from non-degree to degree-seeking. Requirements for regular admission must be met. Non-degree students may not transfer more than 30 credits from this status to any undergraduate degree program except for students participating in a high school concurrent enrollment program. If a student has graduated from NMSU, they will automatically be switched to a non-degree status. If that student wants another degree from NMSU, they will need to re-apply as a degree-seeking student.

How to Apply For Readmission

Former students of the NMSU system, who have been out of school for more than two consecutive semesters, are required to apply for readmission. Applications should be submitted to Undergraduate Admissions before the start date of the semester for which the student plans to enroll.

A student who has attended other post-secondary institutions during an absence must have official transcripts from those other post-secondary institutions sent directly to Undergraduate Admissions. They must be eligible to return to the institution they last attended. Transcripts must be received before the date of registration. Academic standing at the time of readmission will generally be determined by previous NMSU academic standing. However, academic performance at other institutions attended during the applicant's absence from NMSU may be considered when determining the student's admission status.

Opportunities for High Schools Students

Dual Credit for High School Students

The Dual Credit program is designed to give high school students an opportunity to enroll at NMSU before high school graduation. A student must be either a junior or senior in high school and be enrolled at least half-time in high school courses. Under a Statewide Dual Credit Master Agreement between NMSU and the school district, students enrolled in approved dual credit courses are eligible to have the total cost of tuition and general fees waived.

Eligibility Requirements