Truman Freshman Application

How to Apply
Our Fall 2025 application is now available! Select the method that works best for you:  Online Application, Common Application or Printed Application.

• All freshman applications are free to submit!
• You have the option to apply  using our Test-Optional Policy or with a test score.
  • Note: Once you submit your application, you cannot change whether your test score is included or not for admission, but you are always welcome to submit your test score once admitted for additional scholarship consideration.
• There is no additional application for admission or competitive scholarships.
  • All students are considered for merit-based scholarships no matter how they apply.
  • Competitive scholarship review begins December 1. Recipients are notified via mail in February. Note, an essay and activities list are required for competitive scholarship consideration.

Application Materials

• Transcript: Transcripts with at least six semesters of high school grades are required for admission review. If you are homeschooled, have a GED, or are graduating high school in less than four years, reach out to the Office of Admission to learn about what academic documents will be required.
• ACT or SAT score: We ask all traditional application students to submit a standardized test score — either the ACT or SAT, we don’t have a preference. Scores sent directly from the testing agency or the high school are considered official and can be used for admission review.
• Essay: The admission essay (1 to 3 pages) lets you personalize your application. Applicants who qualify for TruMerit Automatic Admission will have the admission essay requirement waived for admission review. All students are required to submit an essay for competitive scholarship review. View essay prompts. Essays can be uploaded within the application, emailed after submission, or mailed to the Office of Admission.
• Activities List: An activities list, or resume, is required for competitive scholarship review. Activities lists can be uploaded within the application, emailed after submission, or mailed to the Office of Admission.

Test-Optional Policy

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis so it’s never too late to apply.

Truman Transfer Application

Truman’s online application is the first step in the pursuit of becoming a Bulldog. You may also apply using the Common Application or a printable transfer application. There is no application fee when applying to transfer to Truman.

Although there is no deadline to apply, if you are applying for a fall start, apply by May 1 for the fullest scholarship consideration. Want to start in the spring? You should apply by December 1.

Check out the transfer requirements page to learn about your benefits as an incoming transfer student. Or, see if your college credit will transfer to Truman.

To make an admission decision, the Office of Admission requests the following items in addition to the completed application.

• Official college transcripts
• Essay (optional, 1 to 3 pages) – view essay prompts
• High school transcripts (if less than 12 hours of transferable credit post-high school)
• ACT and/or SAT scores (if less than 12 hours of transferable credit post-high school)
• Activities List or Resume (required for competitive scholarship consideration and highly encouraged for best scholarship packaging)

Have questions? Email our Admission Counselor for Transfer Programs at transfer@truman.edu.

If you have taken classes at Truman, please complete the Returning Student Form found below.

International Undergraduate Application

The Center for International Students processes the applicants for all students who plan to attend Truman on an F-1 or J-1 visa and students who were educated outside of the United States no matter their immigration status.

Truman offers both full and conditional admission. See application requirements for international students>

Truman does not charge an application fee for undergraduate students. However, there is an application fee for graduate students. Truman does not require a separate scholarship application.  All applications automatically undergo scholarship review.  Truman is a member of the Common Application. We encourage you to choose Truman on your Common Application. For further information, contact the Center for International Students.

If you are not a J-1 or F-1 student and if you were not educated outside the United States,  you should complete the domestic application for admission.

Application info for graduate programs

Our graduate programs have different application requirements and specific supporting documentation may be required. Before applying to a graduate program, please review the application requirements and deadlines. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to our Graduate Office.

In order to be considered for graduate programs, you must be in the process of or have already completed a bachelor’s degree.

Returning Student Form

If you graduated from Truman or took some time off, you can apply by completing the Returning Student Form.

The Returning Student Form should be completed for any student who has previously been admitted to and attended courses at Truman (even if you have taken classes at another university in your time away).

If you are intending to pursue graduate studies, find more information on the Graduate Student tab above.

For more information and resources for returning students, visit the Center for Academic Excellence.

Nursing Application

The BSN requires four years of study for a total of 122 credits. The ABSN requires 15 months of study for the 53 nursing major credits. ABSN qualification is determined by the Department of Nursing based on previous credits earned. For more information, please visit the Department of Nursing.  

If you are a freshman, first-year, or transfer student, you must fill out the Undergraduate application as well as the BSN application.  

If you have a previous bachelor’s degree or associate degree, you must fill out the Undergraduate application as well as the ABSN application.  

If you are a current Truman student and wish to change your major to Nursing, you must fill out the nursing application for the program you prefer.

For more details, please contact nursing@truman.edu.

Undergraduate Non-Degree Seeking Application

• High school students planning to take courses on the Truman campus or online and who are not participating in a dual credit or dual enrollment course offered in partnership with their high school
• Undergraduate students attending other colleges or universities
• Adults who have not earned an undergraduate degree

Graduate Non-Degree Seeking Application

• Anyone who has completed a Bachelor’s Degree (even if you only plan to take undergraduate-level courses at Truman)

Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment

• High school students planning to participate in a dual credit or dual enrollment course offered in partnership with their high school

Common Application

Freshman or transfer students may apply to Truman using the Common Application. Just like undergraduate Truman applications, there is no fee! Plus, there is no additional application for scholarships. Consideration is automatic! Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis so it’s never too late to apply.

To make an admission decision, the Office of Admission requests the items listed below. You may upload these documents within the Common Application Student Portal or submit the documents directly to the Office of Admission.

• High school transcripts – freshmen or transfers with less than 12 credit hours
• College transcripts – transfer students
• ACT or SAT score – freshmen or transfers with less than 12 credit hours
• Essay – waived if eligible for TruMerit Automatic Admission but required for additional scholarship consideration
• Activities List or Resume – strongly recommended, required for additional scholarship consideration