Admission Criteria

Liberal Arts and Sciences

Below are the minimum qualifications high school juniors and seniors must meet in order to enroll in Liberal Arts and Sciences courses (often referred to as “generals”) at Ridgewater College:

Juniors:

• High school class rank – upper 1/3 of their class
• OR HS GPA – 3.0 cumulative GPA

Seniors:

• High school class rank – upper 1/2 of their class,
• OR HS GPA – 2.5 cumulative GPA

Some college-level courses will require PSEO students to meet minimum scores on the Accuplacer test. *Due to COVID-19 we are suspending all Accuplacer sessions at this time. We will be using other measures such as ACT/SAT/MCA scores and/or High School GPA to determine course placement until further notice.

While the ACT and SAT tests are not required, qualifying scores on these tests may allow students to waive one or both portions of Accuplacer test. Qualifying ACT and SAT scores include:

• ACT scores:
  • Reading 21 or higher
  • Math 22 or higher
• SAT Scores:
  • ERW 480 or higher
  • Math 530 or higher 

Technical Education

High school juniors and seniors applying for technical coursework must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete college coursework at a C level or higher. Students are admitted based on a review of coursework taken in high school, GPA, class rank, and the Accuplacer test. *Due to COVID-19 we are suspending all Accuplacer sessions at this time. We will be using other measures such as ACT/SAT/MCA scores and/or High School GPA to determine course placement until further notice.

Students applying for technical course work who meet admission requirements will be accepted after October 1st for Spring Semester and February 1st for Fall Semester on a space available basis.

Sophomores

High school sophomores may enroll in one career or technical education course at Ridgewater College. High school sophomores are not eligible to enroll in Liberal Arts & Sciences courses. Sophomores must meet the following to enroll in a CTE course:

• Attained a reading score of 850 or higher on the 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment OR score into English 98 on the Accuplacer test.
  • Due to COVID-19 we are suspending all Accuplacer sessions at this time. We will be using other measures such as ACT/SAT/MCA scores and/or High School GPA to determine course placement until further notice.
  • Sophomore PSEO eligibility for students without an 8^th grade MCA reading score due to COVID-19 and MCA cancellations may be determined using alternative eligibility guidelines, as provided by the MN Department of Education for the 2021-2022 school year. 
• Met any other course prerequisites or course enrollment standards established by the College. This includes, but is not limited to, assessment test scores, program admission, or other requirements.
• If a student receives a grade of C or better in the course, the student shall be allowed to take additional career or technical education courses in subsequent terms.
• Sophomores who wish to continue their PSEO experience in their Junior/Senior year should contact Amelia Amor in the admissions office, as additional requirements must be met. This includes submitting an updated high school transcript, Credit Balance Form, and a new Program Notice of Student Registration Form. Accuplacer testing may also be required. 

PSEO classes are available for sophomores on a space-available basis. Please refer to the PSEO Classes Available for Sophomores [PDF].