First-Year Students

You’re unique, and our admissions team knows that. We review first-year applicants individually and in the context of their own high school environments to better support students and their families through the college selection process.

Bachelor’s Degree Admission Criteria

We consider your entire academic history and personal experiences when we review your application. Most first-year students accepted to a bachelor’s degree program demonstrate:

Trend in achievement: B/B+ grades in the core subject areas and an average weighed GPA of 3.4.

College preparatory coursework: Honors or AP classes help you stand out, but students should complete the following to be considered minimally* qualified for admission:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of mathematics, including the equivalent of Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II (4 years preferred)
• 3 years of science, 2 of which must be laboratory sciences
• 2 years of a single foreign language (3 years preferred)

* Some academic programs require an additional year of preparation in subject areas beyond what is listed above.

Associate Degree Admission Criteria

College preparatory coursework: Most successful first-year students accepted to an associate degree program demonstrate a solid college preparatory program of study in high school, including coursework in English, mathematics, laboratory sciences, social sciences and foreign language.

High school course selection, academic achievement, class rank along with letters of recommendation are more influential to an admission decision than the results of a student's standardized admission test. UNH Manchester gives considerable attention to an applicant's qualities of character, leadership, initiative and special aptitudes and talents.

The University of New Hampshire is now test-optional, so applicants are no longer required to submit standardized test scores. However, you have the option through the Common App or Coalition App to indicate whether or not you would like them considered. Once you submit your application, the decision to have your test scores included is final.

There is one exception to our test-optional policy: Students attending a school that provides a written evaluation in place of numeric or letter grades are required to submit standardized test scores. 

• UNH CEEB code for SAT & TOEFL: 3918
• UNH CEEB code for ACT: 2524

You may be able to accelerate your degree if you have earned advanced standing credit through any of the options below.

Advanced Placement (AP)

UNH recognizes the College Board's Advanced Placement Examination (AP) program as a means of evaluating a student's eligibility for advanced placement and credit. Students who participated in the AP program and have been admitted to UNH Manchester should have official AP grade reports sent directly to our Admissions Office (CEEB 3918) from the College Board. After receiving the College Board AP grade report, the Admissions Office notifies the student and the Registrar's Office of any credit award. Learn more about the exams and scores UNH awards credits for.

International Baccalaureate Credit (IB)

The University of New Hampshire recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and awards 8 credits for each IB Higher Level examination with a score of 5, 6, or 7. We do not award credit for standard level exams, Higher Level Art/Design, film, and Business/Management.

Students in an IB program who have been admitted to UNH should have their official exam results sent directly to the Admissions Office (CEEB #3918). After receiving the exam results, the Admissions Office notifies the student, the student's college dean/adviser, and the Registrar's Office of any credit awarded.

Running Start

The Running Start program allows high school students to take Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) courses for both high school and college credit. Courses offered through the Running Start program are college courses taught at the high school by CCSNH college-credentialed high school faculty as part of the daily class schedule.

Students must request that an official CCSNH transcript be forwarded to the UNH Manchester Office of Admissions for credit evaluation. Only grades of C or better will be accepted for credit.

The Admissions Office will not process an application until it is complete with all required documentation. Once all materials have been filed, please allow three to five weeks for an admission notification. All offers of admission are considered conditional and are subject to the verification of satisfactory senior year achievement when final high school transcripts are reviewed by the Admission Committee.

Please use black ink when submitting any paper materials and be sure to include a date of birth on all paper materials.

Interviews will be provided on a case-by-case basis if requested. 

Permanent resident aliens need to submit a copy of their permanent resident card. Non-U.S. citizens should include a photocopy of the passport page with biographic information.

Do not sent IEPs, 504 Plans and other documentation regarding a disability to the Admissions Office. These materials should be brought to the student's first meeting with an academic counselor after new student orientation.