The information below is for domestic applicants only. Prospective international students should visit the International Applicants page. Once your application is processed, an admissions counselor will contact you and you will be informed if further documentation is needed to complete your application.
However, for the best consideration for admissions and merit-based scholarships, please keep the priority deadlines below in mind:
Select and submit one of the following applications along with an $85 non-refundable application fee.
The Woodbury Application is for Freshman and Transfer applicants. In order to complete your application, all required sections of the Woodbury Application must be complete, including submission of required admissions documents uploaded through the page. If you apply using the Woodbury Application, a Common Application is not required.
The Common Application is for Freshman applicants only. Transfer applicants should use the Woodbury Application above. In order to complete your application, all required sections must be submitted on the Common Application website, including required supplemental questions. If you apply using the Common Application, a Woodbury Application is not required.
Your old grades don’t have to count against you. If you apply for admission to Woodbury University as an undergraduate, you may be able to begin a new course of study with a clear academic record.
If you have credits for college courses taken ten or more years prior to the planned enrollment date, those credits and grades can be waived under the “Academic Fresh Start” policy if you invoke it at the time of application* (we would still require the transcript to complete your file).
Please remember: this is an all-or-nothing option. You cannot pick and choose which courses to ignore and which courses to count. If you choose the “Academic Fresh Start” option, you will not receive any credit for any courses you took over ten years ago. This means that courses taken previously:
Academic Fresh Start clears only your academic record, not the number of semesters you have been in higher education. The maximum number of semesters for receiving federal Pell Grants is 12, which must include all of the time you have spent taking dual credit courses and community college courses, including those from over ten years ago.
High school transcripts that include 11th grade are required for all applicants who have not yet graduated at the time of application. Upon acceptance, and prior to enrollment, a final official transcript indicating graduation must be submitted. Freshman and Transfer applicants are required to submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended for appropriate transfer credit evaluation. If transfer applicants have not obtained an associate degree yet, a high school transcript with graduation date will also be required.
Electronic Submission
Woodbury Application – Upload unofficial transcripts to the Woodbury Application, or submit official transcripts via Parchment, Naviance and The National Clearinghouse.
Common Application – Official high school transcripts can be submitted through the Common Application process.
Mail Submission
Official transcripts through mail submission, must include an original signature of the school official(s) and be sealed in an unopened envelope. Transcripts should be mailed to:
Woodbury University is test optional. Freshman applicants are not required to submit SAT I or ACT scores, but can submit them to help strengthen their applications. Contact your testing center to have your scores submitted and reference Woodbury University code listed below.
Applicants may submit academic letters of recommendation from high school teachers, counselors and/or employers.
Electronic Submission
Woodbury Application – Upload unofficial transcripts to the Woodbury Application, or submit official transcripts via Parchment, Naviance and The National Clearinghouse.
Mail Submission
Letters of recommendation can also be mailed to:
Applicants have the option of selecting one of the topics below to write a 500-word personal essay. Upload the essay directly through the Woodbury Application or the Common Application.
The submission of a portfolio is required for Animation applicants and highly recommended for Graphic Design majors. Submit your portfolio via the SlideRoom link below. A nominal fee will be charged by SlideRoom for this service. Full instructions are listed on the site. For general artwork, we recommend scanned images rather than photos for best resolution. URLs can also be submitted by uploading a PDF or document containing the link. Requirements can be found on the Slideroom site.
Submit your portfolio via the SlideRoom link below. A nominal fee will be charged by SlideRoom for this service. Full instructions are listed on the site. For general artwork, we recommend scanned images rather than photos for best resolution. URLs can also be submitted by uploading a PDF or document containing the link. Requirements can be found on the Slideroom site.
(Domestic/U.S. University)
A prospective freshman student is a current high school senior who has not graduated from high school at the time of their application. A high school equivalency certificate, or GED, may be considered on an individual basis.
GPA minimum requirements (unweighted)
2.75+ Regular Admission
2.50 – 2.74 Transition Track (Learn More)
2.25 – 2.49 Bridge Program (Learn More)
(Domestic/U.S. University)
Transfer applicants are high school graduates who have completed a minimum of 24 transferable units at the time of their application. Any applicant with fewer than 24 units at the time of application should apply as a freshman.
View the Transfer Student page for additional resources.
GPA minimum requirements (unweighted)
2.75+ Regular Admission
2.50 – 2.74 Transition Track (Learn More)
2.25 – 2.49 Bridge Program (Learn More)
DOMESTIC FRESHMAN
→ PRESIDENTIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP $18,000 [3.70 GPA and above]
→ DEAN MERIT SCHOLARSHIP $16,000 [3.40–3.69 GPA]
→ WOODBURY GRANT $10,000 [2.95–3.39 GPA]
→ WOODBURY GRANT $6,000 [2.50–2.94 GPA]
DOMESTIC TRANSFER
→ PRESIDENTIAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP $14,000 [3.70 GPA and above]
→ DEAN MERIT SCHOLARSHIP $12,000 [3.4–3.69 GPA]
→ WOODBURY GRANT $9,000 [2.95–3.39 GPA]
→ WOODBURY GRANT $5,000 [2.50–2.94 GPA]
INTERNATIONAL
→ PRESIDENTIAL INTERNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP $10,000 [3.70 GPA and above]
→ DEAN INTERNATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP $6,000 [3.40-3.69 GPA ]
→ WOODBURY INTERNATIONAL GRANT $5,000 [2.95-3.39 GPA ]
→ WOODBURY INTERNATIONAL GRANT $4,000 [2.50-2.94 GPA ]
Note to students determined eligible for need-based financial aid: financial aid program regulations require the university to include these merit awards as a financial resource when assessing a student’s overall financial needs. Your merit award will be incorporated into your financial-aid package.
Donor-Sponsored Scholarships
Woodbury University administers various scholarships derived from gifts and endowments given to the university by individuals and organizations. Special applications are not necessary for these funds; they are awarded based on availability of funds and the needs of the university as well as a combination of eligibility requirements, such as academic standing, financial need, or criteria specified by the donor.
10% Federal and State Grant Match program
The objective of Woodbury’s new 10% Federal and State Grant Match program is to increase Institutional Aid to students from low-income families with a GPA of 2.5 to 3.39. In addition to providing merit-based scholarships for eligible students, we are providing need-based aid tied to federal and state programs such as Pell and Cal grants. We believe this will increase access for underrepresented students who wish to attend Woodbury and increase the diversity of our student body.