Freshman Admission Requirements

Applicants for Admission to the Freshman class are required to have graduated or expect to graduate from an accredited high school before entering the University.

Students apply for Admission by completing and returning the Application for Undergraduate Admission to the Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline. A $35 processing fee must be included with the application. Students need to make the necessary arrangements to have an official high school transcript mailed to the Admissions Office. To be considered official, the transcript must be mailed directly from the school and must indicate the expected graduation date.

Applicants are required to submit ACT scores, (SAT scores are also accepted, although ACT scores are preferred). Students are urged to take the ACT near the end of their junior year or early in the senior year of high school. Students not able to take the ACT on a national date must take the Residual ACT through the University of Utah Testing Center.

High School Preparation

Applicants who have not graduated from high school seven years prior to the term of admission must complete the following, with satisfactory progress (2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a C average).

English

4 years1, emphasizing composition and literature

Mathematics

2 years1, beyond elementary algebra (selected from geometry, intermediate algebra, trigonometry, college or advanced algebra, or calculus)

Biological and/or physical
science

3 years1, two of which are required to be taken from the following: chemistry, physics and biology or human biology   (one of the sciences must include a laboratory experience)

History

1 year1, American history and government (Processes and structure of democratic governance)

Foreign language

First and second year (level) of the same foreign language taken during grades 7 through 12

Additional units

4 years1, from at least two of the following: history, English, mathematics beyond intermediate algebra, laboratory science, foreign language, social science, fine arts

1One year's work is approximately equivalent to 150 clock hours.


Freshman applicants who do not meet the course requirements for admission but who have an index of 99 or higher and have completed all the listed admission requirements, except the core course requirements, may be admitted "on the condition" that course deficiencies are filled prior to earning 30 semester hours of credit.

Students not meeting the admission criteria may be considered for admission on an exception basis if their special talents or diversity enhances the institution's life and character.

Since 1991, the University has selected students using an additional factor called the Admissions Index. The Admissions Index is an objective measure that helps students determine whether they have prepared sufficiently to expect academic success at the University. Specifically, the Admissions Index value is a number derived from the combination of the high school GPA and the results of either the ACT or SAT.

The Admissions Index

gives equal weight to both the GPA and ACT/SAT test scores and, thus, is a more accurate measure of ability than either factor considered individually. The University takes into consideration the GPA from at least grades 9 through 11. Test results are those from the ACT or SAT taken in the junior or senior year of high school. Students admitted prior to high school graduation may have their admission to the University rescinded if the senior year grades are not satisfactory.

Two factors affect the Admissions Index number that will guarantee acceptance: the number and relative quality of applicants, and the number of students for which the University is funded. A larger pool of highly qualified applicants or a reduction in state funding will both tend to drive up the Admissions Index that assures acceptance

Each year, the Credits and Admissions Committee determines the next academic year's Admissions Index The current academic index can be found at http://www.acs.utah.edu/prod/bin/student/admission-index or by contacting the Admissions Office at (801) 581-7281. A student will be considered for Admissions to the University of Utah if the student meets the following requirements*:

• Has or will graduate from an accredited high school.
• Has satisfactorily completed all course requirements
• Has a cumulative high school GPA of at least a 2.6 on a 4.0 scale.
• Has an ACT composite of 18 (SAT total score 860) or better
• Has the approved current year's index

*Admissions requirements, deadlines and fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Admission of Non-High School Graduates or Graduates from Non-Accredited High Schools.

 Applicants who have not completed requirements for high school graduation, but whose high school class has graduated or applicants who have graduated from a non-accredited high school are considered for admission if the following are submitted:

    • A completed University of Utah Admission Application with the required processing fee.
    • An ACT composite score of 23 or higher, or SAT of 1060 or higher.
    • An official high school transcript of credit.
    • Scores from the General Education Development (GED). Each of the GED subscores must be 500 or higher, with a composite score of 550 or higher.

Students who graduate from a non-accredited high school with an ACT score in the upper quartile (25 ACT, 1140 SAT), with no individual score below the freshman class average (23), will not be required to take the GED, if their high school class has graduated.

Early Admission.

 A student, attending an accredited high school, with high scholastic achievement through the junior year in high school may be considered for early admission if recommended by the high school principal. Applicants for early admission must have completed their junior year of high school. The application and supporting credentials must be received in the Admissions Office by April 1 to be considered for fall semester. Applicants should also arrange with the high school to have an official transcript sent with the complete 11th grade posted on it as soon as the transcript is available. Students are admitted to the program at the beginning of fall semester only. International students are not eligible to apply for early Admission.

Nontraditional Student Admission 

Prospective Students (Freshman Applicants) who graduated from high school seven or more years prior to the term of admission are required to file high school transcripts to apply for admission as matriculated (degree-seeking) candidates. Such applicants are admitted with verification of a high school diploma at the discretion of the director of Admissions and should contact the Admissions Office regarding this status.

University College. 

All new freshmen admitted to the University will be enrolled in the University College until they are accepted into a specific degree-granting department, program, or college of the University.  For details, see University College at http://www.sa.utah.edu/advise.

Financial Aid Application - For detailed information, see the Undergraduate Financial Aid and Scholarships web site.

Housing Application- Refer to the Office of Housing & Residential Education for more information.