Admission Standards

When reviewing an application, our Admission Committee considers:

• Academic achievement
• Grade point average
• Standardized test scores
• Whole-person assessment 
• Hyde Interview results

Academic Achievement

DU looks for students who have challenged themselves academically and who have demonstrated success in English, math, social studies, science and foreign language. Our minimum academic requirements are the same as what is required at the applicant’s high school for graduation, but we encourage students to set their goals higher than the minimum. The curriculum and the grades earned in classes at the secondary level are regarded as the most significant criteria in a student’s application because it has proven to be the soundest indicator of academic ability, potential and motivation.

Although no specific requirements concerning secondary school subjects are mandatory at DU, our Admission Committee recommends the following academic selection: 4 years of English; 3-4 years of mathematics; 2-4 years of natural sciences with at least 2 laboratory sciences; 2-4 years of social sciences and 2-4 years of foreign language. Course work should show purpose and continuity and furnish a background for the first-year curriculum offered by the University.

GPA

The average high school GPA for fall 2009 accepted students is 3.7. Middle 50%: 3.5-4.0.

Standardized Tests

Although academic performance in high school is the most important factor in our admission process, we also consider scores earned on the SAT or ACT exams. Applicants are required to submit the official results of the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with or without the writing component; we do not require any SAT Subject Tests. When assessing your test scores, we will use the highest composite score earned on either exam (ACT composite or the SAT composite of Critical Reading and Math). The writing components for both the SAT and ACT will be accepted for review, but will not be used for admission decisions.  For students who submit multiple scores, we will mix and match sections to create a composite “superscore”.

The median 50 percentile for the fall 2009 accepted students were the following:

• SAT combined: 1130-1300, Average is 1219
• ACT: 25-30, Average is 27

Whole-Person Assessment

DU students assume responsibilities outside the classroom-they're leaders, volunteers, artists, musicians, athletes, actors and people who lend a helping hand for the benefit of their family and friends. That's why our Admission Committee looks for well-rounded students who have contributed to their high school and local communities and who will contribute to the DU community. Essays and letters of recommendation contribute greatly to our overall assessment of an applicant’s personal characteristics and their potential to contribute to our campus. 

Hyde Interview

We strongly encourage applicants to participate in the Hyde Interview, a face-to-face meeting with one to three members of the DU community. While grades and test scores play the largest role in our admission decisions, the Hyde Interview gives students an opportunity to demonstrate personal qualities not always reflected in an application.  Registration for your Hyde Interview is available now.