What is Castleton Looking For?

Castleton University will join with Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College to become Vermont State University on July 1, 2023.

Learn more about what Vermont State University is looking for for fall 2023.

Learn More

Current information appears on Castleton University pages for students entering in and prior to the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Office of Admissions will review your application individually and holistically. All application materials submitted will be taken into consideration for acceptance. We also encourage you to contact us, as personalized contact enables us to get to know you and assist you through the process.

General Requirements

If you are interested in pursuing the many opportunities available at Castleton we encourage you to apply. Incoming student averages are shared here as a guideline. Many students who exceed our averages are designated to participate in our Honors Program, and some students who fall below our averages are sometimes admitted with condition in order to ensure their success. Additionally, we often work with students who are denied admission to plan a path for their future enrollment. 

Please note: Averages listed here are the minimum requirements to be considered for our Nursing Dept.

GPA

‘B’ average (85% or 3.0) student on a 4.0 unweighted academic scale.

It is very important that you are prepared to complete the coursework you will face at Castleton and it is with your success in mind that we carefully review your academic foundation.

For high school students with no GPA available, such as proficiency-based or narrative transcript, academic preparation will be evaluated on an individual basis using the high school profile as a guideline.    

For high school students with GPA available, high school GPA is recalculated by the Office of Admissions using completed academic courses only on a 4.0 scale. The majority of courses are considered unweighted in recalculation, yet completed college-level coursework, such as AP and IB courses, are weighted. The strength of your overall course selection and in-progress coursework is recognized and considered in review. We prefer that candidates include the following college preparatory courses in their high school programs:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of math
• 3-4 years of social science
• 2-3 years of laboratory science
• 2 years of a foreign language
• Transfer applicants must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be considered for admission.

SAT/ACT Scores

Note: Scores are optional for those seeking admission in coming terms, including Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Fall 2022. Scores will be considered in review if submitted.

Approximate averages:
SAT = 500 in each section (1000 EBRW+M or 1500 CR+M+W)
ACT = 21 Composite.

Tests provide additional information to support your academic profile, yet greater emphasis is placed on your transcript course selection and academic performance. Castleton has no preference in tests taken; all test scores are evaluated, with the best used for review. While ranges are accepted, we prefer applicants have 450+ in each section of the SAT and/or 18+ in each section of the ACT.

Castleton will accept self-reported test scores for admissions review purposes, yet official scores are required for enrollment in terms where scores are required.

Personal Statement/Essay and Letter(s) of Recommendation

These allow us to gain a greater understanding of your opportunity for success at Castleton. Your essay, a brief personal statement, tells us more about you in your own words. Your letters of recommendation are extremely valuable, as these give us insight to your qualities and characteristics from the perspective of those who know you best.

Optional Portfolio Submission

Some students, either individually or with the help of their high school, create a portfolio or a compilation of their work that they have prepared in advance to include with their traditional application materials.  This could be a report or publication you authored, a recorded presentation or discussion you led (audio or video) or other samples of your work that have meaning to you. Castleton University takes pride in our innovative and holistic approach to reviewing applications and we welcome the submission of these materials. Again, please note that this is completely optional. If you choose to submit these additional materials, you can upload them to your application.