South Dakota State University: 2025 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

South Dakota State University GPA Requirements
South Dakota State University SAT Requirements
South Dakota State University ACT Requirements
What South Dakota State University looks for in applicants
South Dakota State University Requirements - General Application
How to Differentiate Your Application & Get In
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South Dakota State University: 2025 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into South Dakota State University. We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to South Dakota State University, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown South Dakota State University statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out South Dakota State University on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at South Dakota State University

What GPA Do You Need To Get Into South Dakota State University?

South Dakota State University’s average GPA is 3.15. South Dakota State University does require GPA. South Dakota State University is currently selective. However, be aware that oftentimes schools in this GPA range are increasing their selectivity in hope of increasing “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of South Dakota State University application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.15 to 3.31 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.31 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. South Dakota State University may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on South Dakota State University’s campus. These South Dakota State University admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What Is South Dakota State University’s Acceptance Rate?

Last year South Dakota State University’s acceptance rate was 91.7. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, South Dakota State University is a little easier to get into than last year.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into South Dakota State University - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

	2016	2017	2018
Acceptance Rate	91.0 %	91.0 %	91.7 %

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Does South Dakota State University Require Test Scores?

South Dakota State University requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how South Dakota State University’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

South Dakota State University SAT Requirements

South Dakota State University’s average SAT score is 1025 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether South Dakota State University is getting more or less competitive.

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Average
Math	450	580	515
Reading	440	580	510
2019 Total	890	1160	1025
2018 Total	-	-	-
2017 Total	-	-	-

South Dakota State University’s average SAT score is 1025. To be a competitive applicant for South Dakota State University your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 890, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider South Dakota State University a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1160.

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South Dakota State University ACT Requirements

South Dakota State University’s average ACT score is 54. To be a competitive applicant for South Dakota State University your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 57, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider South Dakota State University a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 51.

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Average
Math	19	-	19
Reading	18	25	21
Writing	20	26	23
2019 Total	57	51	54
2018 Total	-	-	-
2017 Total	-	-	-

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South Dakota State University Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into South Dakota State University from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

Recommendations	Status
School Rank	Required
GPA	Required
School Record	Required

How to get into South Dakota State University

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into South Dakota State University. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at South Dakota State University, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with South Dakota State University admission standards.

Score at least a 1025 on the SAT or 54 on the ACT.

Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.15.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with South Dakota State University’s Values.

Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If South Dakota State University values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.

Volunteer in your hometown. Brookings has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. South Dakota State University wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Brookings area in general.

Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. South Dakota State University needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

Write a stellar essay that shows South Dakota State University something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.

Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your South Dakota State University app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.

Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that South Dakota State University’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.