So, you’re thinking about becoming a Roadrunner? Honestly, navigating college applications usually feels like trying to solve a Rubik's cube in the dark. But Metro University Denver admissions (or MSU Denver, as the locals call it) is a bit of a different beast. It’s famously accessible, but that doesn't mean you can just roll out of bed and be enrolled by lunch. There’s a specific rhythm to how they do things on the Auraria Campus.
Whether you're finishing high school, coming back to school after a decade of "real life," or transferring from a community college, the process is actually pretty chill once you know the secret handshakes.
The "Guaranteed" Path and What Most People Get Wrong
Most people think "open enrollment" means "everyone gets in no matter what." That’s sorta true, but MSU Denver actually has a Guaranteed Admission policy that makes things way more transparent. Basically, if you meet one of a few specific bars, you’re in. No nail-biting, no refreshing your email every five minutes for a month.
If you have a cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of 2.0 or higher, you’re golden. Seriously. That’s the magic number.
Now, what if you’re older? If you’re 20 or over, the rules shift slightly. They aren't looking at your high school GPA with a magnifying glass anymore. You just need a high school diploma or a GED score of at least 145 on all four sections. It’s their way of acknowledging that who you were at 16 isn’t necessarily who you are at 26.
The Holistic Side of Things
What happens if your GPA is below a 2.0? Don't panic. You aren't immediately tossed into the "no" pile. This is where the Secondary Admission Review kicks in. The admissions team looks at you as a human, not just a data point. They’ll want to see:
- A personal statement (about 500 words explaining why MSU Denver fits your goals).
- A letter of recommendation from someone who can actually vouch for your brain.
- Your high school transcript (obviously).
They want to hear about the "why" behind the numbers. Maybe you had a rough sophomore year because of family stuff, or maybe you finally found your groove senior year. Tell them that. They actually listen.
Deadlines: Don't Be the Person Who Misses Out
Even though the university is flexible, the calendar is not. If you’re eyeing a Summer or Fall 2026 start, the priority deadline is February 2, 2026.
Why does a "priority" deadline matter if they have rolling admissions? Two words: Financial Aid.
Money runs out. The MSU Denver Scholarship application usually has a priority deadline of March 1. If you wait until August to apply for the fall semester, you might get in, but you’ll be paying for it out of your own pocket while the early birds are sitting on grant money.
- FAFSA/CASFA: Get this done as early as possible. Like, yesterday.
- Roadrunner Promise: This is a huge deal. If your family’s adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less, MSU Denver might cover your full tuition and mandatory fees. But—and this is a big "but"—you have to be a Colorado resident and a first-time, first-year student.
Transferring Credits Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re coming from a Colorado community college with an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS), you’re basically a VIP. You’ll likely enter with junior standing, and your general studies requirements are usually considered "done."
But if you’re transferring from elsewhere, use Transferology. It’s this tool the university uses that lets you plug in your old classes to see exactly how they’ll land at Metro.
- Grade Rule: You need a C- or better for a course to transfer. A "D" might have passed the class at your old school, but it won't cross the finish line here.
- Credit Caps: For most students, they’ll take up to 64 credits from a two-year school and up to 90 from a four-year school.
The Graduate School Hurdle
Applying for a Master’s degree here is a whole different ballgame. It’s not "guaranteed" anymore. Programs like the Master of Social Work (MSW) or the MBA have their own specific gates.
For the MSW program, for instance, the final deadline for a Summer/Fall 2026 start is January 15, 2026. You’ll need three recommendations, a resume, and a specific "walkthrough" of your experience. Most graduate programs want to see a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to 3.0.
What About SAT/ACT Scores?
Here’s the thing: MSU Denver is test-optional. You don’t have to send your SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admission if you have that 2.0+ GPA.
However, if you have them, send them. Why? Because they use those scores for course placement. If you don't send them, you might end up having to take a placement test for Math or English, which—let's be real—nobody wants to do on a Saturday morning. The mid-50% range for admitted students is usually around 910–1090 on the SAT or 17–23 on the ACT.
International Students: The Extra Steps
If you’re joining the Roadrunner family from outside the U.S., you've got a slightly longer checklist. You’ll need to provide:
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- English Proficiency: Think TOEFL (76+), IELTS (6.0+), or PTE (51+).
- Financial Affidavit: You have to prove you can actually afford to live and study in Denver for a year.
- Certified Transcripts: If your transcripts aren't in English, they need to be professionally translated and evaluated by a NACES-accredited service.
Actionable Next Steps to Get You Enrolled
It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so let’s boil this down to a "do this now" list.
- Check your GPA: If it’s above 2.0, go straight to the MSU Denver application or CommonApp. It’s actually free to apply for undergraduates right now, which is a nice win.
- Order your transcripts: Don't wait on this. High schools and old colleges can take weeks to send official copies.
- Submit your FAFSA: Use school code 001360. Do it before the March 1 priority date to stay in the running for the best grants.
- Visit the campus: If you're in the Denver area, walk around the Auraria Campus. It’s shared with CU Denver and CCD, so it’s got a weirdly cool, high-energy urban vibe.
- Set up your "Student Hub": Once you apply, you’ll get login info. Check this religiously. It’s where they’ll tell you if you’re missing a document or if you have a "hold" on your account.
Basically, the Metro University Denver admissions process is designed to get you into a classroom, not keep you out. Just stay on top of the paperwork, and you’ll be fine.