Application Instructions

Application Instructions

All new applicants are required to submit a nonrefundable application fee with your application. The application fee is $20 and can be paid online by credit card (online applications only) or you can send a check or money order by mail (payable to “School of Mines”). Exceptions are made for students who are nondegree seeking, or have previously applied, paid the fee, and attended a university in the South Dakota Board of Regents system.

High School Transcript
If you are applying to a degree program, you must arrange for an official high school transcript to be sent to the Office of Admissions. If you are still attending high school, the transcript must include courses completed and courses in progress, or the high school counselor may use the “High School Courses in Progress” section of this application to certify courses in progress. You must also arrange for a final official transcript to be sent after you graduate from high school.

Official College Transcript
If you are applying to a degree program, you must request official transcripts from all institutions you previously attended, excluding South Dakota Board of Regents institutions: Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University, or University of South Dakota. Transcripts are considered official only if they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions or the Enrollment Services Center. If you are currently enrolled at another institution, you may have the school send a partial official transcript(s) and be considered for provisional admission until the final official transcript(s) arrives.

Official Report of ACT or SAT Scores
If you are applying to a degree program and are age 21 or under at the start of the term to which you are applying, you must complete a college entrance examination (ACT or SAT) and have the results sent to the universities to which you are applying or to the Enrollment Service Center. If ACT or SAT scores are listed on your high school transcript, it is not necessary to request the scores from the testing agency.

Use of Social Security Number
We are requesting your Social Security Number (SSN) for administrative record accuracy and reporting. Disclosure of your SSN is voluntary and if you decline to provide it to us this action will not affect your admissions eligibility. However, we request this information from you in order to meet our federal obligation to report student employment, Hope and Lifetime scholarship tax information, and federal financial aid. The SSN is confidential information under the Federal Educational Rights to Privacy Act and we will not release it without your consent. Having your SSN on record will enable the university to keep accurate information and to report it promptly.