When students and families begin thinking about college, one of the most important — and often confusing — topics is understanding college requirements.
These go far beyond just filling out an application and hitting submit. Colleges have a range of expectations — from high school coursework and GPA to major prerequisites and graduation standards — and knowing what they are early can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll expand on the basics you may have already read in our article Know These 4 Common College Admission Requirements and provide a deeper, more comprehensive look at what colleges really expect from applicants and students alike.
What Do “College Requirements” Really Mean?
The term college requirements refers to a broad spectrum of expectations colleges have for students, typically falling into four main categories:
- Admission requirements – What you need to get into a college
- Major or program-specific requirements – Additional expectations for certain degrees
- Academic requirements – What’s expected once you’re enrolled
- Graduation requirements – What’s needed to complete your degree
Some of these are baseline eligibility standards, while others are competitive expectations used to assess who gets accepted, who stays in good standing, and who ultimately earns a degree.
Admission Requirements: The Starting Line
At a minimum, colleges require:
- A high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
- Completion of specific high school coursework, typically including:
- 4 years of English
- 3–4 years of math
- 2–3 years of science (including lab science)
- 2–3 years of social studies
- 2 years of a foreign language (recommended by many competitive schools)
But meeting these minimums isn’t always enough. Most competitive colleges expect more — such as AP, honors, or dual enrollment classes that show academic rigor.
Other common requirements include:
- Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT): While many schools are now test-optional, submitting strong scores can still boost an application, especially for merit aid.
- GPA thresholds: Selective colleges often look for GPAs of 3.5 or higher, along with evidence of course difficulty.
- Essays and personal statements: Used to assess writing skills, self-awareness, and fit.
- Letters of recommendation: Typically from teachers or counselors who can vouch for academic readiness and character.
- Extracurricular involvement: Leadership, service, work experience, and other activities help provide context beyond grades.
- Application fees and deadlines: Every school sets its own deadlines (early decision, early action, regular), and most require a fee to apply.
Some schools or programs may also conduct interviews, require portfolios, or ask for additional writing samples.
Program and Major-Specific Requirements
Certain majors — especially in STEM, health sciences, business, and the arts — have additional prerequisites that students must meet either before applying or before declaring the major.
Examples include:
- Engineering or computer science: High school or college-level calculus and physics
- Nursing: Completion of biology, chemistry, and anatomy with strong grades
- Music, art, theater: Portfolios or auditions
- Education: State-specific certification coursework or testing
- Business or accounting: Completion of economics, business math, and sometimes introductory accounting or finance courses
- Pre-med or health sciences: Strong performance in biology, chemistry, and math, along with volunteer or clinical experience
These may also include minimum GPA requirements, especially for students transferring into the program after enrolling.
Many students are surprised to learn that not being admitted directly into their desired major (especially in impacted or competitive fields) can mean extra semesters of coursework, limited access to required classes, or needing to change majors.
Requirements for Transfer Students
Transfer students face their own unique set of college requirements, which differ from those of first-year applicants:
- Minimum college GPA (often 2.5–3.0+ depending on the institution)
- Completed college-level coursework — sometimes including general education credits or prerequisites for a specific major
- Maximum number of transferrable credits — many schools limit the number of credits that can transfer from a two-year to a four-year institution
- Articulation agreements — especially between community colleges and in-state universities, which outline course-by-course equivalencies
- Application deadlines for transfer are often later than first-year applications, but vary widely by school
- Some institutions may also require updated essays, college transcripts, and proof of good academic standing
Tip: Always check the specific transfer guides published by the college to avoid taking courses that won’t count toward your intended degree.
Academic Requirements Once You’re Enrolled
Getting accepted is only the first step. Once in college, students must meet academic requirements to stay in good standing and progress toward their degree:
- General education/core curriculum: Required courses across a range of disciplines (e.g., English, math, science, humanities) — even outside your major
- Major requirements: Specific courses needed for your degree, often with prerequisites or sequencing
- Minimum GPA: Many schools require students to maintain a cumulative GPA (often 2.0–2.5+) to avoid academic probation or dismissal
- Prerequisites: Certain upper-level courses require successful completion of lower-level foundational courses
Graduation Requirements
Graduating from college isn’t just about passing classes — it involves meeting a variety of specific institutional and academic standards.
These graduation requirements ensure that students not only gain depth in their major but also achieve a broad base of knowledge and skills through general education and other institutional benchmarks.
To graduate with a degree, students typically must:
- Complete a minimum number of credit hours (usually 120+ for a bachelor’s degree)
- Fulfill general education and major-specific coursework
- Meet the institution’s residency requirement (e.g., completing at least 30–60 credits at the granting institution)
- Maintain the required cumulative GPA
- Complete any capstone project, thesis, or internship required by the program
Some colleges also include service-learning hours, foreign language proficiency, or writing-intensive course requirements.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Even well-prepared students can stumble if they don’t fully understand the many types of college requirements.
The following are some of the most common and costly mistakes students make during the college admissions and academic journey.
Being aware of these pitfalls now can help students and families avoid delays, missed opportunities, or unnecessary coursework.
- Mistaking minimums for competitiveness: Meeting the bare minimum doesn’t guarantee admission.
- Ignoring major-specific requirements: These are often hidden in course catalogs or departmental websites.
- Missing deadlines: Late applications or documents can disqualify even strong candidates.
- Not checking transfer equivalencies: For transfers, this can lead to repeating classes or extending time-to-degree.
- Assuming requirements are the same everywhere: Every college — and every major — has its own specific expectations.
How to Stay on Top of College Requirements
The best way to ensure success is to plan early and stay informed:
- Work with your school counselor to map high school coursework to future goals
- Review each college’s official admissions and degree planning resources
- Work with experienced college planners like CBRG to compare colleges, understand what they require, and ensure your student stays on track throughout the admissions process
- Keep documentation of coursework, grades, activities, and deadlines in a centralized place
- Stay updated on changing policies, such as evolving test-optional or GPA recalculation methods
Requirements at a Glance
To help you see the big picture, we’ve summarized the major types of college requirements in the table below.
This quick reference compares who each requirement applies to and what key components are typically involved.
Use this as a guide to better understand the expectations throughout the college journey—from application to graduation.
| Requirement Type | Who It Applies To | Common Components |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | All applicants | HS diploma, GPA, tests, essays, recs, activities |
| Major-specific | Declared/program majors | Prerequisites, portfolios, GPA thresholds |
| Academic progression | Enrolled students | Gen ed, prerequisites, GPA, course load |
| Graduation | Degree-seeking students | Credits, residency, capstone, GPA, requirements met |
| Transfer-specific | Transfer applicants | Transfer GPA, course equivalency, articulation |
Making Sense of College Requirements: Your Roadmap to Academic Success
Understanding the full scope of college requirements — not just for admissions, but also for progression, graduation, and even transferring — empowers students to make better decisions. Requirements vary by institution, by major, and even by degree type.
At CBRG, we help families cut through the complexity and build personalized college plans that align with their student’s goals, timeline, and financial realities. Want help navigating college requirements the smart way? Reach out today for a consultation.