This seems like an easy one, but really, why does applying to college have to be so complicated? Our best answer is: It just does. There are too many moving parts for us to click on a ‘Buy Now’ button like they have on Amazon with free next-day delivery. It’s a pretty consistent process from one university to the next, so here’s a guide on how to apply to college.
This is the most important step in the process. You might be saying to yourself “But I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up!” and that’s okay. Many universities have an “undeclared major” where you can take college classes that apply to multiple degrees without starting in a specific major. We recommend taking the time to do self-assessments to pair your interests with careers. The thing about being a high school student is you don’t know what you don’t know. You may discover your passion in college and switch majors, and guess what? That happens a lot. If you have a career in mind, research backwards to see what majors, minors or certificates will help you get into that career. This might seem like a lot of pressure, but it doesn’t have to be. At YSU, we even have career resources to help you figure it out. Don’t be shy, it’s only the rest of your life! Just kidding, take your time. You can view all our majors by clicking the link below!
All these online websites are probably starting to blend together when it comes to showing you what their campus life is like and how great their universities are. So take a test drive and visit the university you are interested in. Youngstown State is way better in person than it is online, and that is true for almost all institutions. Visit as many as you can to find the right fit for you. At some point, we all came to Youngstown State’s campus and fell in love. You should too.
This is where the paperwork begins. You have to fill out an application to get into a university. It’s your first big step in the application process. Don’t be shocked when you have to pay a fee to apply, this just ensures that you are serious about us because we invest a lot of time to process each application.
You don’t want to skip this step! The financial aid process is where you have the opportunity to reduce the overall cost of college. You will hear terms like FAFSA, tuition, grants and aid. Once you are accepted you will start this process – don’t worry, you will hear from the university a few dozen times about everything once you are accepted.
This step doesn’t apply to everyone- it typically depends on your high school records and what program you are going into. Just like with financial aid, someone from the university will reach out about this step. Sometimes testing outcomes help you advance through a few classes, and sometimes it requires you to take few additional. It is what it is, but placement testing is there to ensure that you are setting yourself up for success in college.
Orientation orients you to campus (thanks for that obvious statement). Seriously though, orientation is a great way to learn about campus, meet faculty and staff and build relationships with new friends that are starting college just like you. Orientations run from late spring through the start of the semester to get you ready for your first day of classes. It’s mandatory to attend and really to your benefit. This is the day you will get your student ID that you can look back on think how young you really were and register for your first semester of classes.
Welcome to the big leagues. Joust for parking spots, get lost, meet new people, find your classroom only to realize it’s not the right classroom but sit through the entire class to not get embarrassed, grab some food, get lost again, sit in the right class this time then spend the afternoon searching for your car. There is literally nothing like the first day of classes.
Nearly 11,000 students
Over $8 Million in Scholarships Given Annually
21 Average Class Size
5 University Residence Halls with plenty of nearby apartments
14:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
In-State
Out-of-State
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition and fees may vary by major, college, area of study or based on your location. The university reserves the right to assess fees for special services and programs applicable to students. First-time International undergraduate students’ tuition rate is established based on first enrollment and remains unchanged for four consecutive years. Graduate students should plan for a yearly tuition increase of approximately 5%.
For a complete list of additional fees and detailed tuition information please visit the University Bursar website here.
Cost of the most popular room and meal plan combination; Your cost will depend on the plans you select. Costs in the box cover the most popular room and meal plan combination (on-campus); If you choose to live off-campus, the estimated cost of room and meals will be around $12,000 based on 12 months.
Based on average books & supply costs
Health insurance is required for international students.
Applicants must have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) test to be considered for admission. Freshman applicants applying for admission to Youngstown State University must submit a high school transcript or GED transcript. Submission of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
Applicants must have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher, a core unweighted grade point average* of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher and have an ACT composite score of 17 or higher or a SAT composite score of 920 or higher (evidence-based writing and reading and math) to be admitted unconditionally. (*Core gpa is calculated based on grades earned in the following courses – English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language, if applicable, from 9th through 12th grade).
Fall 2024
application deadline is
August 1, 2024
