Admission
Admission Applicants for admission to Gustavus are considered by the Admission Committee on the basis of course selection, academic achievement in secondary school, ACT or SAT scores (Test Optional available), letters of reference (recommended, but not required), and an application essay. An on campus conversation with an admission counselor is encouraged. Successful applicants to Gustavus typically have taken a variety of college-preparatory courses in high school such as, but not limited to, AP, IB, PSEO or dual enrollment.
The middle 50 percent of students admitted to Gustavus score between 25 and 30 composite on the ACT or have an average combined verbal and math score of 1300 on the SAT. Applicants for admission have the option to submit standardized test scores, known as the “Test Optional” admission policy. Students who feel their test scores accurately reflect their academic ability and potential should submit test scores. Additionally, students should take the ACT and/or SAT in order to explore all options and practice for the standardized tests required for entrance to graduate school. Students who matriculate must have a high school diploma, General Education Development certification (GED), or a passing Ability to Benefit Test (ATB) score. In order to be eligible for Federal Title IV financial aid funds, students must have one of these three proofs of high school completion.
The Application Process
To apply for admission to Gustavus, complete the following steps:
Choose your application: either the Gustavus Select Application OR the Common App. Both application formats ask for personal details, accomplishments and experiences, and a writing sample.
Submit an official or unofficial transcript complete through the most recent term. (Required)
Submit Test Scores (Optional)
Be sure to select test optional if not submitting your ACT or SAT scores. Gustavus accepts self-reported test scores, the student score report, official scores from the testing center, or the scores reported on your official high school transcript.
Submit letters of recommendation (Optional)
We welcome recommendations from teachers and counselors. They may submit their own letters or use the Gustavus Recommendation Form.
Admission Dates and Deadline:
October 1 | FAFSA opens for all.
November 1 | Early Action: Completed applications due.
December 1 | Rolling Admission application review begins.
December 1 | Priority deadline for fine arts scholarship applications.
January | First financial aid awards will be released.
February 8 | Rolling Admission Fine Arts Scholarships due.
May 1 | Enrollment Deposit deadline.
Accepting an Offer of Admission: Gustavus requires that applicants reply to an offer of admission by May 1. A student will first need to accept their offer of admission in their applicant portal and then submit a non-refundable $300 Enrollment Deposit. Deposit is paid through the Admission Office by credit card, bank account or check.
Admission Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Full-time Enrollment:
Minnesota high school juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply for Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and take available courses as they complete their high school diploma. Gustavus only offers in-person classes, no online options. Students may apply for full-time or part-time PSEO programs at Gustavus.
PSEO Deadlines:
The Minnesota Department of Education has set deadlines for students enrolling in PSEO during different times of the year. Set deadlines are non-negotiable. Please see the Minnesota Department of Education's PSEO webpage for more information.
May 15 - priority application deadline for fall semester
You must inform your high school of your intent to enroll by May 30
October 15 - priority application deadline for spring semester
You must inform your high school of your intent to enroll by October 30
PSEO Credit Eligibility
Part-time PSEO students are eligible to take up to 11 credits.
Full-time PSEO students are eligible to take between 12 and 19 credits. PSEO students are not eligible to take above 19 credits.
PSEO Application
All applicants must submit:
High school transcript
PSEO Student Life
High school seniors enrolled as full-time PSEO students are able to live on-campus. Please note that housing costs are not covered by the Minnesota PSEO program and are the sole responsibility of the student.
Full-time PSEO students are welcomed to be involved in student organizations, attend events, and utilize campus resources.
PSEO students are not able to compete on any DIII athletic team.
PSEO Scholarships and Financial Aid
Because PSEO is funded through the Minnesota Department of Education, PSEO students are not eligible to receive scholarships nor financial aid. There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course; students may incur fees for equipment that becomes their property when the course or program is completed or for textbooks that are not returned to the postsecondary institution according to their policies.
Orientation
All new students attend an orientation program in June, Gustie Gear Up Days, before classes begin. Activities include meetings with faculty advisors and workshops designed to ease the transition to college.
General Transfer Policies
Gustavus accepts credit earned at other regionally accredited institutions of higher education, including credit through Postsecondary Enrollment Options and College in the Schools, and through the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement credit-by-exam programs. Students can transfer a maximum of 64 Gustavus credit equivalents (64 semester or 96 quarter credits) from a combination of other accredited institutions and International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams. To receive a degree from Gustavus, students must be enrolled full-time for two academic years (64 credits minimum), including the senior year. Exceptions to the senior residency requirement must be approved by the Provost. Please refer to the “Requirements for Graduation” section of the Academic Bulletin for complete graduation requirements.
Acceptance of specific courses and their application to a Gustavus degree is the province of the Registrar and the chairs of the appropriate academic departments.
International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement
Candidates who score four or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination or four or more on the higher-level exams of the International Baccalaureate are given advanced placement with college credit. Credit is awarded only after receipt of an official IB transcript or AP score report. Students interested in pursuing graduate work should be aware that some graduate institutions will not accept IB or AP credit for their prerequisite courses.
Transfer of College Credit From Other Institutions
Credit is awarded only after receipt of an official transcript from the host institution and is subject to the following:
One Gustavus course is the equivalent of four semester or six quarter credits.
Courses must be from another regionally accredited institution of higher education.
If a deposited international transfer student, Gustavus requires the student please request official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended (for documents not in English, please include the English translation) accompanied by a Professional Credential Evaluation from World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators or any NACES accredited organization. We require a course-by-course evaluation to show your complete course listing with credit values and grades received for each course.
Courses must not be a repeat of previous coursework nor more elementary than previous coursework.
Courses must be appropriate for a college liberal arts curriculum as determined by the Gustavus Registrar in consultation with faculty.
Courses must be graded “C–” or higher.
Internships must meet Gustavus academic requirements and be approved in advance.
Transfer Policy and Student Standing
A transfer student is defined as someone who has completed any college credits after receiving their HS diploma or GED, whether a full-time or part-time student. These students will be encouraged to participate in First Year Orientation and will have the option to enroll in a First Term Seminar (not required for transfer students) during their first year at Gustavus. Transfer students should meet the following conditions:
Honorable standing at the previous college, including eligibility to return to the previous college in good standing.
Evidence of standard degree progression.
A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
Transfer applicants must complete and submit the Common Application’s Transfer Application, available online. There is no application fee. In addition to high school transcripts, transfer applicants must also submit transcripts from each college attended. Students may transfer to Gustavus at the beginning of the academic year or spring semester.
International Student Admission
An international student is any candidate who wishes to enroll with non-immigrant visa status (i.e., F-1, J-1, H-4). International students, including those currently attending schools in the United States, should apply online using the Common Application and will be asked to pay a $50 processing fee. Additional items needed to complete the application are below:
The Common App ($50 processing fee paid within the Common App; the fee cannot be waived, transferred, or refunded)
Transcript(s)
TOEFL/IETLS/Duolingo/Cambridge English, only if you are not fluent in English, or if it has not been the medium of instruction in your school.
SAT/ACT (optional)
Certified financial documents, which are bank statements of parents or educational sponsor.
If a deposited international transfer student, Gustavus requires the student please request official transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended (for documents not in English, please include the English translation) accompanied by a Professional Credential Evaluation from World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators or any NACES accredited organization. We require a course-by-course evaluation to show your complete course listing with credit values and grades received for each course.
Students who are US citizens (including those living outside of the United States), who are legal permanent residents, who have refugee status, who have been granted asylum, or who are undocumented are not considered international students and should apply through the Office of Admission. Please refer to our website for detailed information regarding the international admission application process or contact Joy Reese, Associate Dean of Admission and Coordinator of International Recruitment at jreese2@gustavus.edu.
International Student Application Deadline:
The deadlines listed below are for both first year and transfer applications:
November 15 - 2026 Spring Entry Term: Completed applications due.
December 1 - 2026 Spring Enrollment Deposit Deadline
March 1 - 2025 Fall Entry Term: Completed applications due.
June 1 - 2025 Fall Enrollment Deposit Deadline.
International Student Admission English Proficiency Requirements:
Gustavus policy requires international students to prove a minimum level of English proficiency for college-level studies.
Native English speakers from the following countries are exempted from this requirement: English-speaking Africa, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Commonwealth Caribbean Countries.
TOEFL iBT: Total score of 85 or higher
IELTS: Total score of 6.5 or higher
Duolingo English Test: Score of 110 or higher
Minnesota English Language Program (MELP): Successful completion of all required Level 4: High-Advanced ESL classes.
Academic Placement:
Applicants who have successfully completed a three-year European gymnasium program or have passed the British GCE Advanced Level exams normally are credited with up to sixteen courses toward the Bachelor of Arts degree at Gustavus. Applicants who score four or more on the higher level exams of the International Baccalaureate normally are credited with one course for each exam. No credit is given for subsidiary level exams. Credits earned in this manner are awarded only after successful completion of the first semester of study at Gustavus. However, even with a year of advanced standing, some students who lack native ability in English may need more than three years to complete their program at Gustavus. International students whose first language is not English and who meet minimum admission standards on the TOEFL or IELTS exam are recognized as having met the non-English language requirement at Gustavus.
International Student Orientation:
An international student orientation precedes the orientation for all new students. The international student orientation is designed to help students in their cultural and academic transition, and introduce them to the campus, community, and resources.
International Student Services:
An advisor is available to assist with the cultural transition, academic questions, immigration, and adapting to college life. Contact Jeff Anderson, the Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services, at jeffa@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7493.
Tuition and Fees
Information on tuition and fees is available on the Financial Aid website.