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Admissions Requirements

Admission to Southern begins with an application. You can apply online to get started. Part of the application process is evaluating what education you’ve already received to ensure you start well at Southern.

Admission Requirements

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female student

High School GPA & Test Score Requirements

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Students must graduate from an approved secondary school.

  • High School GPA Minimum (4.0 Scale)* - 2.5
  • ACT Composite Minimum – 18 OR SAT Total Score Minimum – 960**

*Must include major subjects: English, Mathematics, Natural Science, Religion, Social Science, and Foreign Language. See FAQ for a further breakdown of the required subjects.

**Test scores are not required for admission if you have a high school cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above. However, they are required to be accepted into certain academic programs and to register for classes with test score perquisites. Check our FAQ section below to learn more.

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student using laptop

GED, HiSet, & Homeschool Requirements

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Students can also graduate by completing an approved homeschool program or passing a high school equivalency test such as GED or HiSet.

  • Homeschool GPA Minimum (4.0 Scale)* - 2.5
  • GED Total Score Minimum (Out of 800) - 650 (150 on each section)
  • HiSet Total Score Minimum (Out of 100) - 62 (8 in each subtest and 2 on the essay)

AND

  • ACT Composite Minimum – 18 OR  SAT Total Score Minimum – 960

*Must include major subjects: English, Mathematics, Natural Science, Religion, Social Science, and Foreign Language. See FAQ for a further breakdown of the required subjects.

How To Send Documents

Transcripts can be sent digitally (via email, Parchment, or a transcript-sending service). If your school prefers to mail it, it can be sent to the address below.

Email

Address
Southern Adventist University
Enrollment Management
PO Box 542
Collegedale, TN 37315

Other Requirements for Admission

Those planning to enter professions such as business and management, computing, education, journalism and communication, nursing, music education, or religion should also consult the respective school for any additional admission requirements.

Important Dates

Priority Application Deadline
For priority processing and scholarship consideration, a prospects application should be submitted by the following dates for the fall semester. There is no priority deadline for the winter or summer semesters.

  • Freshmen Priority Deadline March 1
  • Transfer Priority Deadline June 1
International Students
International students must apply and complete the acceptance process by the following deadlines. If the deadline has passed an I-20 will not be issued for that semester. For more information visit the International Admissions Page.

Fall Semester
  • Acceptance Deadline: June 1
  • I-20 Deadline: July 1
Winter Semester
  • Acceptance Deadline: October 1
  • I-20 Deadline: December 1
Commitment Deposit
After acceptance, the $250 commitment deposit should be paid before the following dates to guarantee placement for the upcoming semester. If it is paid after the stated date, placement will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The Commitment Deposit becomes non-refundable after May 1. The full policy can be found in our catalog.

  • Fall Semester: May 1
  • Winter Semester: November 1
How to Pay the Commitment Deposit
Visit southern.edu/payment and login using your Southern email account or call 1.800.SOUTHERN to pay over the phone.

Visit Us!

While not officially part of the admissions process, we'd love to have you come to campus, show you around, answer your questions, and provide you with any guidance you need as you're applying. You can find out more about visiting us here.

FAQ