Admission Standards for Freshman Applicants 

Suffolk University provides a holistic review of all applicants, and understands that each student has their own unique story.

See our admission guidelines, including application dates and deadlines, our test-optional policy for applicants, as well as the flexible ways we accept standardized test scores.

Application Deadlines

Spring Admission & Financial Aid December 1
Early Action Fall Admission November 15
Fall Admission (Priority) February 15
Priority Fall Financial Aid March 1

The FAFSA is required to be considered for need-based financial aid.

Freshman Admission Standards

Freshman applicants may apply as test-optional which means you can decide whether you send us your scores. Some applicants will be required to submit test scores, so please read our test-optional policy for more information. For those who submit standardized test results, we want to make the process as easy as possible. Suffolk can accept self-reported SAT and ACT scores for admission in the following ways:

  • Emailed from your high school counselor or school official
  • Scores available on your high school transcript
  • PDF files or screen shots of score reports uploaded to the applicant portal

Please be sure to capture your first and last name, as well as the test date, on the screen shot or PDF. Uploads that do not display this information will not be accepted.

Should there be a discrepancy in self-reported scores versus official scores, Suffolk reserves the right to withdraw a student’s application or offer of admission.

Test Codes & Super-Scoring Policy

  • SAT Code: 3771
    *We do not require the optional essay
    *We consider the highest scores for Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math.
  • ACT Code: 1920
    *The writing test is not required.
    *We consider the highest Composite score from any given test date.
  • TOEFL Code: 3771

We are aware of the limitations some international students have faced with regard to standardized testing. We have created a comprehensive list of options that applicants can submit to prove English proficiency. We need only one of the following to complete an application:

  • SAT or ACT scores
  • *TOEFL or IELTS score (TOEFL minimum is a 79, IELTS a 6.5)
  • DUOLINGO English Test-DET (Minimum score of 105)
  • Exempt if you’re from a country where English is the First and Official Language. Please submit the SAT, ACT or final results from one of the following:
    • IGCSE/GCSE, AS/A-Level and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam)
    • If you only have predicted scores from any of these examination systems, please complete the test waiver form.
  • PTE-Academic with a minimum score of 54
  • IB HL English Predicted scores (if provided by your high school)
  • First Language English Exams in the IGCSE or GCSE or AS/A-Level Predicted/Actual results
  • Gao Kao: students from mainland China who have taken the Gaokao exam and English was one of the three areas tested, you may arrange an interview via the InitialView website or contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

*TOEFL, IELTS or DUOLINGO scores cannot be self-reported and must be sent from the testing agency. Suffolk's TOEFL test code is 3771.

Homeschooled applicants are required to submit all of the application materials required for freshman applicants. It is understood that the transcript of a homeschooled student may be different from that of a traditional high school student. Regardless of the format, a transcript should include all 9th to 12th grade courses (including those in progress) and the time-frame of each course (academic year and semester). In addition, an assessment of performance (a letter grade, percentage, narrative assessment, etc.) is needed. Applicants may be asked to submit additional information describing the curriculum and/or texts used. Please note that homeschooled applicants must submit standardized test results and cannot apply test-optional.

Homeschooled students who are admitted and enroll at Suffolk are required to provide the university with proof of graduation in one of three ways:

  • An official final transcript from the local school district.
  • An official final transcript from a home school association or agency.
  • An official GED/HiSET score report.

Homeschooled students who have completed AP exams and/or college coursework must request that those official score reports and transcripts be sent directly to the Admissions Office. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission if you cannot submit a test score by completing this form or by calling 617-573-8460. 

The Office of Undergraduate Admission seeks to accept and enroll first-year students from schools that are recognized or accredited by national, federal, state or regional agencies. Accepted students must submit a final high school transcript prior to beginning studies at the University. All transcripts must document that students have completed sufficient academic work to earn their diploma. We will also accept official GED or HiSET exam results reflecting passing scores in all academic subjects

In the event the University has reason to believe a student’s diploma is not valid, it will rely upon the submitted transcript to determine whether the student has completed sufficient academic work to earn the diploma and qualify for admission to the University. If it is determined that a diploma was awarded without sufficient academic work, the admission decision may be rescinded and the student will be asked to leave the University.

In high school, you should have completed:

  • Four units of English
  • Three units of mathematics (algebra I and II and geometry)
  • Two units of science (at least one with a lab)
  • Two units of language
  • One unit of American history
  • Four units distributed among other college preparatory electives

We may also consider other factors in the review process, such as:

We are also very interested in personal qualities that will offer us further insights into you as an applicant, including:

  • Admission interview
  • Extracurricular involvement
  • Community service
  • Special interests