DOHERTY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL - Worcester Public Schools

Massachusetts State College
Admissions Standards
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) admissions standards for the state colleges
and universities emphasizes a strong academic high school background so that students enter the
college ready to learn. The standards represent the minimum requirements for admission and
could be higher based on a program and the college selectivity. (For example: Nursing,
Occupational Therapy, Education programs may require higher grade point average requirements,
etc.)
Freshman Admission:
I. SAT Sliding Scale Range: The scale applies when students fall below the minimum grade
point average of 3.0
Recalculated GPA Minimum Combined SAT ACT Equivalent
State College University State College University
3.00 - 4.00
2.51 - 2.99 920 950 19 20
2.41 – 2.50 960 990 20 21
2.31 – 2.40 1000 1030 21 22
2.21 – 2.30 1040 1070 22 23
2.11 – 2.20 1080 1110 23 24
2.00 – 2.10 1120 1150 24 25
No student may be accepted to a State College or University with a GPA less than 2.0
II. The grade point average for eligibility for four-year public colleges in Massachusetts is listed
above. Admissions officers at the college must recalculate the high school grades for all
college preparatory courses. Calculations include weight based on Honors or Advanced
Placement coursework. The recalculated grade point average may be different than the
average reported by the high school.
III. Academic Unit Requirements: 16 required courses must be successfully completed. Only
courses designated as college preparatory levels are counted.
English
Mathematics
Sciences
Foreign Languages
Social Sciences
Electives
4 courses
3 courses (minimum of Algebra I, II and Geometry)
3 courses (including 2 courses with labs)
2 courses (in a single language)
2 courses (including 1 course I US History)
2 courses (from the above subjects or from Arts &
Humanities areas or Computer Sciences)
12