Admissions FAQs

Michigan Tech has more than 120 different degree options and more than 70 minors. Majors cover seven areas of study: arts, humanities, and social sciences; business and economics; computing; engineering; forestry and environmental sciences; health professions; mathematics; natural and physical sciences; secondary teacher certification; and technology.

College prep classes including math, science, English, and social studies will keep you on track. View our course recommendations for more details.

COVID-19 Update: All of us are eager to share the Michigan Tech experience by offering you the best tour possible. That means giving our campus community and facilities team time to prepare for a safe in-person visit experience. Campus tours are scheduled to resume the week of June 22. Tours have been modified. In addition, visitors will be required to wear a face mask, as well as complete a COVID-19 symptom monitoring questionnaire 24-hours prior to the visit. All summer courses have been moved to remote instruction May 11-August 14. If tours are held and you choose to schedule a visit , please note that there will be limited student activity and engagement on campus.

Campus tours are offered in a modified format weekdays at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. In addition to a tour of campus, your weekday visit includes an admissions and financial aid presentation and a meeting with a department of your choice for the major you're most interested in (some department meetings may be held virtually). Other visit opportunities include Saturday tours, annual Open House programs in summer and fall, and spring Preview Day for accepted students.

Michigan Tech is a public university, so the tuition rate you are charged is based on your residency. We do not participate in any tuition reciprocity programs. Room and board will vary slightly depending on the residence hall you are placed in as well as which meal plan you choose.

Students who have earned 60 or more credits, including transfer credit, credit earned through early college or dual enrollment, or AP, IB, or CLEP will be charged upper-division tuition. See the Cost of Attendance for details.

All first-year students, other than transfer or commuting students living with a parent/guardian, must live on campus during their first year. Students receiving a Leading Scholar Award, National Scholars Program award, or Presidential Scholars Program award are required to live on campus for their first two years. But "required" isn't the best word to use, because once you get here, we think you'll love it. In fact, many students choose to live on campus for more than one year.

First-year students may have a car on campus, but it's not recommended or necessary for daily travel. For longer breaks, students connect with others from their area to find rides home.

Students can also use the Houghton County Memorial Airport (code CMX), serviced by SkyWest/United Airlines and located about eight miles north of campus. Daily flights are available. Indian Trails offers regular bus service to the Houghton/Hancock area. Check out our directions to campus page for more details.

Merit- and need-based scholarships are available for incoming first-year and transfer students. Fall 2021 applicants must submit official SAT or ACT scores for consideration of merit-based awards.

If you are accepted to Michigan Tech, you must provide official SAT or ACT scores to be automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Additional competitive scholarships that require a separate application are available. Seniors in high school should check out the Leading Scholar Award due October 15.

To apply for federal aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between October 1 and March 1.

Beginning with the Fall 2020 semester, all students are required to have a computing device.

This requirement means that all students, in the classroom and remote, can fully participate in mixed-mode classes (taught through a combination of in-person and remote instruction), as well as in remote assessment. It will also ensure that students will have access to the technology they need to be successful, while maintaining the physical distancing necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Use the computing device you're most comfortable with—PC or Mac—as long as it meets the specifications.

If you decide not to enroll, call the Admissions Office at 888-688-1885 or email mtu4u@mtu.edu to cancel your application. If you paid your deposit, you can receive a full refund if you cancel by July 1.

It's free to apply to Michigan Tech. Apply now using the online application.

First-year students are encouraged to apply in the fall of your senior year. Transfer students should apply at least 30 days before the start of the semester you intend to enroll.

You are encouraged to submit your application for admission by January 15, though applications are still accepted after this date.

First-year applicants applying for fall 2021 need to submit an official copy of your high school transcript (sent directly from your high school to Michigan Tech or through a transcript service such as Parchment).

Official SAT and/or ACT scores are optional for students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale). Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or those who are homeschooled are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores. Michigan Tech accepts either the SAT or ACT and has no preference to which scores students submit.

Official test scores are required of all students who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships. Students receive equal consideration for merit-based scholarships with either set of scores.

If you'd like to have your guidance counselor share details about your academic performance, ask them to complete the High School Counselor Information page and send it directly to us. This form can also be used for your school to submit your official test scores at no cost to you.

Transfer students will need to submit official copies of college transcripts sent directly to us from the college(s) attended. We will also need an official copy of your high school transcript (not required for students who earned an associate degree or higher at the time of application). SAT and/or ACT scores are not required for transfer students.

For fall 2021 applicants, submitting official SAT or ACT scores is optional for admissions purposes if you have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale). 

Students who are homeschooled, or those who have below a 3.00 cumulative GPA (on a 4.00 scale) are required to submit official scores.

All students who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships are required to submit official test scores.

Additional application materials may be required for students applying for admission into the following degree programs: audio production and technology, sound design, theatre and electronic media performance, and theatre and entertainment technology.

Admissions requirements vary by major. On average, our incoming students have a 3.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and a 26.7 ACT composite (approximately 1260 SAT total). Michigan Tech accepts either the SAT or ACT and has no preference to which scores students submit—students receive equal consideration for merit-based scholarships with either set of scores. To learn more about admissions requirements and discuss your individual academic situation, call us at 888-688-1885 or email mtu4u@mtu.edu.

You should have your decision within two or three weeks once your application is complete. If you applied for admission to audio production and technology or sound design (and were required to submitted examples of creative work) you will be notified of your decision beginning in late November.

Congratulations and welcome to the Husky family! Check out the page for accepted students and be sure to read the Michigan Tech Guide sent with your acceptance letter. Log in to your MyMichiganTech and mtu.edu email accounts about once a week to be sure you get important notices and updates.

For fall 2021 applicants, submitting official SAT or ACT scores for admission is optional if you have a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher (on a 4.00 scale). Students who have a cumulative GPA below 3.00 or who are homeschooled, are required to submit official scores. Michigan Tech uses the highest scores we have on file when reviewing applications for those required to submit scores for admission, as well as when awarding merit-based scholarships. If you retake the SAT or ACT, be sure to have your new scores sent to Michigan Tech. Our SAT code is 1464; our ACT code is 2030.

Michigan Tech accepts either the SAT or ACT and has no preference to which scores students submit—students receive equal consideration for merit-based scholarships with either set of scores.

No. We will use the highest scores on file for you from any single sitting of the SAT or ACT.

Michigan Tech credit or placement can be earned with qualifying scores on these exams. Test scores need to be sent directly to Michigan Tech. Our AP school code is 1464.

Yes. An official final transcript is required within 30 days of your high school graduation to verify proof of graduation and to record your graduation date.

Additionally, your final transcript will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee to verify continued academic success during the period after that covered by the transcript used at the time of your acceptance to Michigan Tech. If you experienced a departure from your previous academic performance, you will be contacted and asked to provide a detailed explanation. A significant decline in academic performance during your senior year may affect your enrollment status and, at the University's discretion, result in a revocation of your admission and any financial assistance awarded.

To be considered official, a transcript must be sent directly to Michigan Tech by the institution issuing the transcript, or from a transcript service such as Parchment. Transcripts stamped "issued to student" or those hand delivered, even if in a sealed envelope, are not acceptable.

SAT or ACT test scores are not required, but can be accepted for the English proficiency requirement. See the English proficiency page for more details about what tests and scores are accepted.

You can choose from several tests, including the TOEFL, to show meet the English proficiency requirement. See the English proficiency page for more details on tests and minimum scores required, as well as details on conditional admission if your score falls below the minimum.

Applicants from certain countries of origin may be exempt from this requirement; see the list of countries on the English proficiency page.

You will be considered for either the International Ambassador Scholarship or the National Business Scholars Award, depending on your student type and your major. A scholarship notification will happen at the same time as an admissions decision.
See more information on international student scholarships, noting that the others listed have much more strict eligibility requirements. If you do qualify for the Summer Youth Scholars Award, the FIRST Scholarship, or the McAllister Foundation, note that those do have a separate application.
International students are not eligible for need-based aid.

You are a first-year student if you are currently in secondary school, or have completed secondary school but not yet started post-secondary studies.
You are a transfer student if you have already started post-secondary studies.

No, you are still considered a transfer student for the purposes of admission, and should follow the transfer student requirements on the International Student website.

We need an official transcript, which means you cannot send us a scanned copy by email. The accepted methods for sending an official international transcript are:
From an official at your school through an official school email account, or by postal mail or an online document sending service.
From you by postal mail, making sure they have an original school stamp or are certified true copies of the original document.

Test score sending methods are detailed on the English proficiency page.

A course evaluation is required for transfer students who studied outside of the US or Canada. This is required for the admissions committee to see your grades in the US equivalent, so your admissibility and scholarship eligibility can be appropriately assessed. Until the evaluation is received, your application file will remain incomplete.
Additionally, the evaluation will be used in the transfer credit process to see the US credit and level equivalents of each course taken, to properly transfer the courses in.

No, unless the school was in the US. If so, a final waiver decision will be made when the transcript from your US school is received.

When your application has been submitted, you can log in to your MyMichiganTech account to track your application status. We will email a username and password to you.

The application review process typically takes 2 weeks from the date of file completion, and you will be emailed when a decision is made. Official letters will follow in the postal mail.

Financial documents are required post-acceptance to process the forms required for student and exchange visitor visa applications. If you submit them prior to acceptance, they are not used to make an admissions decision.

Transfer credit is granted for most courses completed off campus with a grade of C or better. Most transfer credits usually satisfy Michigan Tech's general education requirements. View our transfer guides and transfer equivalency listings for more details.

Michigan Tech maintains a full-time Transfer Services Office for new, current, and former students intending to transfer courses here. Students with questions should call 906-487-2319 or email transfer@mtu.edu.

Absolutely. Transfer students have access to financial aid, as well as some scholarships just for transfer students.

Beginning with the Fall 2020 semester, all students are required to have a computing device.

This requirement means that all students, in the classroom and remote, can fully participate in mixed-mode classes (taught through a combination of in-person and remote instruction), as well as in remote assessment. It will also ensure that students will have access to the technology they need to be successful, while maintaining the physical distancing necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Use the computing device you're most comfortable with—PC or Mac—as long as it meets the specifications.

Some students start out a bit hesitant or unsure, especially if they've never been away from home before. But once they settle in, get into their coursework, and make friends from their residence hall and classes, distance from home becomes less of a concern.

Orientation week is a great way for your student to meet new students and make friends. On top of that, we have more than 240 student organizations they can get involved with, as well as weekly campus events, activities, intramural sports, and varsity athletics that bring students from across campus together.

You'll come to campus for Orientation and move-in. In October we have Family Weekend, and in November students usually go home for a week at Thanksgiving, then again for three weeks in December and January over semester break. In February we have Winter Carnival, which is a must-see for most families. In March students have a week for Spring Break, and in early May they're home for the summer. Check out the academic calendar for specific dates.

Michigan Tech provides students with services to help them adjust to college life. The Wahtera Center for Student Success offers resources to help students succeed—starting from when they first arrive on campus for Orientation,  participation in the ExSEL Program, free Learning Centers, and more. Wahtera Center staff help students identify mentoring and tutoring opportunities to help with the academic transition.

Parents are encouraged to join the Michigan Tech Parents Facebook Group. It's a parent-administered closed group to actively engage in various discussion topics, post questions for one another, and share stories about their Huskies.

Michigan Tech is a residential campus—meaning most students drive eight to 10 hours to get here—so students are around on weekends. Most students find it easy to make friends and get involved. Many students choose to live in Theme Communities within the residence halls as a way to connect with students who have shared interests.

Houghton is a college town which, along with its sister city of Hancock, has a population of around 12,000. The community is welcoming to students and features coffee houses, locally owned restaurants, world-class shows at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, outdoor activities on trails and water, the Outdoor Adventure Program, and houses of worship. Learn more about living in Houghton.