Requirements - NMU Admissions

Test-Blind Policy FAQ

Admissions Policy Information (NMU Catalog)

NMU policy requires that admitted students must provide updated transcripts and continue to meet admission standards as they complete any additional academic work prior to enrolling at NMU.  Applicants must disclose all college attendance and provide all college transcripts.  The university retains the right to withdraw an offer of admission or change the admission status if a student's academic record no longer meets standards or changes significantly between the date of admission and enrollment, or if the applicant falsifies or withholds information requested on the application for admission.

Secondary School Preparation

Michigan students should follow the Michigan Merit Curriculum, and all students are strongly encouraged to take core courses as follows:

• Four years of English
• Four years of college preparatory mathematics
• Four years of social studies
• Four years of science
• Two years of world language

Beyond these core courses, students are encouraged to take courses or get experience in the arts and information technology.

Computation of High School Grade Point Averages

NMU will use the overall cumulative GPA reported on the high school transcript.  If a high school computes more than one GPA (e.g. weighted and unweighted), we will use the higher of the two. For applicants with a GED earned prior to January 2014, the “score average” is equated to a grade point equivalent for admission and scholarship purposes. GEDs earned after January 1, 2014, will be reviewed based on new guidelines and will not be equated to a GPA.

Computation of College Grade Point Averages

In calculating the grade point average of transfer students, Admissions computes college-level courses only, using credits attempted and honor points earned.

Standardized Achievement Testing

NMU's admission policies are "test-free" as of 2021.  SAT and ACT scores are not requested, required or considered in admission decisions.

Transcripts

Admission decisions are made on official documents.* Applicants should request that official transcripts be sent directly to the NMU Admissions Office from each high school and college/university/trade school attended. Students who have earned a GED must have an official score report sent to NMU from the testing center.

Schools may mail paper transcripts to 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI 49855.  Schools may transmit transcripts through a secure electronic provider such as Parchment, Scoir, National Student Clearinghouse, Naviance, and others.  Please check with your high school counseling office or college records office to determine if your school participates with any of these service providers.  (Transcripts should not be sent as e-mail attachments as these are not secure and will not be considered official.) 

*NMU has an alternate procedure regarding acceptable documentation for applicants with extenuating circumstances. Applicants with extenuating circumstances should contact the Admissions or Graduate Admissions Office for more information.  

If you have completed secondary or post-secondary academic work at a non-U.S., non-Canadian* institution:

• Request official, original transcripts of ALL secondary and post-secondary academic work, which could include official certificates showing results of any standardized examinations taken in your home country ("O" levels, "A" levels, etc.), to be sent directly to NMU Admissions.
   
• All academic documents must be submitted in the original language and accompanied by official/certified/attested translation that is complete, literal, word-for-word, and in the same format as the original document. Students should ask the school to include the English translation in the sealed envelope with their official academic documents OR place the school-sealed envelope and translations in another envelope. Students should NOT open the school-sealed envelope.
   
• Submit all non-U.S., non-Canadian* secondary and post-secondary academic records to an external agency for a credential evaluation. A "Course-by-Course" report --or equivalent--must be selected. NMU uses the information on the report to help determine admissibility and any transfer of credit. (NMU will notify you if a subject analysis report is needed to determine transfer credit.)
   
• Exceptions:  
  • If you have completed more than the equivalent of 12 U.S. college level semester credits after secondary school completion, you may submit only post-secondary transcripts to NMU and to the external credential evaluation agency. 
  • If your U.S. high school recorded the credits you earned from a non-U.S./non-Canadian on your U.S. high school transcript, you may not need the credential evaluation. Contact the Admissions Office.

If, at the time of application to NMU, you have course work in progress at a non-U.S./non-Canadian* institution, you must also submit your additional documents for evaluation upon completion of your current study. There may be an additional fee to the agency for this. Upon receipt of the final report, NMU will review your admission status again to ensure you meet admissions requirements.  *An evaluation of credits may be requested for some Canadian institutions' documents.  Evaluations may be waived for some international schools affiliated or aligned with U.S. institutions or IBO World Schools. NMU will notify applicants regarding any exceptions.

NMU accepts evaluations from these agencies (and other NACES-approved evaluators):

1. Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)  This service allows applicants to submit their official educational documents only once--to ECE.  NMU would then receive the verified documents from ECE along with the credential evaluation.
2. World Education Service (WES)  Students may elect to order the WES ICAP service.  This service allows applicants to submit their official educational documents only once--to WES. NMU would then receive the verified documents from WES along with the credential evaluation.
3. SpanTran