How to apply to Computer Science at Bowling Green State University: the BS/BA in the College of Arts and Sciences, cybersecurity and computational data science specializations, the required co-op and minor, automatic international scholarships, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is in Bowling Green, Ohio. Its computer science degrees are offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences; the university says it launched Ohio’s first undergraduate computer science major in 1969. This guide summarizes the official requirements for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver) and transfer students.

1. Degrees and specializations

• BS in Computer Science: accredited by the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC); more technical and mathematical, emphasizing programming, software engineering, data structures and algorithms.
• BA in Computer Science: a more flexible, interdisciplinary track suited to double majors or combining computing with other fields, still covering the core CS courses.
• Specializations: cybersecurity or computational data science. Cybersecurity is offered in both degrees: the BS adds more algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, cryptography and network security; the BA adds courses in business, law, political science and communications. The curriculum is aligned with NIST cybersecurity and digital forensics standards.
• Minor: both the BS and BA require a minor (often mathematics, business, data science, engineering or technology); the minor is waived for students who complete a specialization.
• Work experience: the major page says CS majors complete one department-approved co-op for academic credit; the cybersecurity page says at least one co-op or internship before graduation.
• Electives: web application development, Windows application development, and advanced options such as artificial intelligence methods, computer and mobile forensics and database management systems.
• Course list: required courses and credits are in the catalog, which we could not read; the university pages we read do not list the courses or total credits, so check “Program requirements and course lists” on the major page.

2. How admission works

• International first-year: a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale) plus the English requirement. No essays or recommendation letters.
• Testing: SAT/ACT is not required for admission; it matters only for merit scholarships (see section 8, where two pages differ).
• Direct entry and changing majors: not stated on the pages we read; confirm with the department or admissions.

3. Dates and materials (international first-year)

• Application fee: USD 75; no fee waivers. The name on your passport must match your application.
• Spring 2027: application and all documents by November 6, 2026; I-20 issuing deadline November 20, 2026.
• Fall 2027: application and all documents by June 18, 2027; I-20 issuing deadline July 2, 2027. If you miss the deadlines you can apply for a later term.
• Materials: official transcripts from secondary school and any post-secondary school, plus English scores or proof of proficiency, submitted with the online application.
• Document rules: all documents must be official and in English; photocopies and documents marked “Issued to Student” are not accepted. Official means the original, a notarized or attested copy, or an official English translation with the notary’s or translator’s seal on each page. Documents are not returned, so do not send originals.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL: 71 for tests in 2025 and before (MyBest not accepted); 4 for tests in 2026 and beyond.
• Other options: IELTS 6.0, PTE 48, Duolingo 100, or ELS Intensive English for Academic Purposes Level 112.
• By school: at least one academic year at a high school (or higher education institution) where English is the primary language of instruction also meets the requirement.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: how Gaokao results are used is not published; ask international admissions.
• Transcripts: submit official English transcripts (original, notarized or attested copy, or sealed official translation); the GPA must be the equivalent of at least 2.5.
• A-Level, IB and AP: credit rules are not on the pages we read; ask admissions.
• Scholarships: for merit awards, prepare SAT/ACT or English scores as described in section 8.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: the requirements page says one academic year at a school where English is the main language of instruction meets the requirement, without listing countries; confirm with admissions whether your English-medium Canadian high school qualifies.
• BC grades: grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask admissions.
• Status: if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, apply under the international requirements.

7. Transfer students

• Definition: you are a transfer student if you have attempted 12 or more college-level semester hours after high school.
• Process: international transfers follow the same application; students at U.S. institutions transfer their SEVIS record, and their deadlines may differ, so email International Programs & Partnerships (iss@bgsu.edu).
• Materials: official transcripts from every college attended; with fewer than 30 semester hours since high school, also send your high school transcript. Transfer requirements vary by credit hours; the pages we read do not give the figures.
• Any extra conditions for entering computer science are not published.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Estimated annual cost for an international undergraduate (entering 2026-27, 12 credits per semester): tuition and fees USD 23,500, room and meals USD 12,500, insurance and books USD 3,500, for a total of USD 39,500. An international student services fee (each fall and spring) and a new international student orientation fee are charged; see the Bursar for amounts.
• Tuition guarantee: the Falcon Tuition Guarantee locks in costs for four academic years for each entering class.
• Automatic scholarships: awarded on GPA and test scores, with no separate application, if your admission application is complete by the deadline; the page lists June 20, 2026 for fall 2026 and November 7, 2026 for spring 2027, with no fall 2027 date yet.
  • BG Success Scholarship: USD 4,000 a year for all international first-year and transfer students starting in fall or spring with at least a 3.0 GPA; renewable for four years while the GPA is maintained.
  • Freshman Academic Scholarship: USD 1,000–8,000 a year for new first-years straight from high school starting in fall or spring, estimated from cumulative GPA and TOEFL/IELTS or SAT/ACT: GPA 3.0–3.19 for USD 1,000 (SAT 1050/ACT 21, or TOEFL 71–80, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 100); 3.20–3.49 for USD 3,000; 3.5–3.69 for USD 5,000; 3.7–4.0 for USD 8,000 (SAT 1380/ACT 31, or TOEFL 101–120, IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 130).
• The pages differ: the requirements page says you must submit SAT or ACT to be considered for merit scholarships, while the scholarship page bases awards on GPA plus TOEFL/IELTS or SAT/ACT. Ask admissions whether English scores alone are enough.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For fall 2027, submit the application and documents by June 18, 2027; USD 75 fee
• Prepare TOEFL 4 (tests from 2026), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 100
• Transcripts must be official English documents
• For scholarships, ask whether SAT/ACT is needed or English scores are enough

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Ask whether your English-medium high school waives the test and how BC grades are read

Transfer students:

• Send all college transcripts; add your high school transcript if you have fewer than 30 credits

Sources: Bowling Green State University, Computer Science major; Cybersecurity specialization; Department of Computer Science; International undergraduate requirements; International undergraduate how to apply; International tuition and scholarships; Transfer how to apply. Deadlines are for spring and fall 2027 entry; costs are for 2026-27. Check BGSU’s website for the latest.