Freshman Admission Requirements

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Freshman Applicants:  It is generally to your advantage to apply as early as possible.  The preferred filing deadline date for the Fall Semester Applications is December 15th.  You are encouraged to file an application as soon possible during the priority filing period. 

Applicants for admission to the freshman class are required to have graduated or are expected to graduate from an accredited high school before entering the University. 

Students apply for admission by completing and submitting the Application for Undergraduate Admission to the Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline.  The $45.00 processing fee must be included with the application or submitted with an on-line application at the time the on-line application is submitted.  (A $30.00 late handling fee must also be paid, if the application is submitted after the application deadline.) 

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.  Combined SAT Critical Reading and Math scores are also accepted, although ACT scores are preferred.  (The University of Utah does not use the ACT or SAT Writing Scores.)  Students are urged to take the ACT/SAT 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 may take the Residual ACT through the University of Utah Testing Center.

Please note:  To be considered for scholarships and financial aid, applicants must also submit separate applications for scholarships and financial aid.  These applications can be found at:  www.sa.utah.edu/finance

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, technology and engineering education

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

 

Exceptions:  Students who have completed all of the listed requirements, except for the high school core course requirements, may be admitted "conditionally" if they have the required Admissions Index number. (Contact the Admissions Office to get the current year's conditional admit index number.)  Students admitted "conditionally" will need to complete the high school course deficiencies prior to earning 30 semester hours at the University of Utah.

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 to 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

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.   Applicants can determine if they meet the current academic index 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 admission 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 or combined SAT Critical Reading and Math score   of 860 or better.
  • Has the approved current year's index.

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

Non-High School Graduates, Graduates from Non-Accredited High Schools, Home School Students, Utah Students who Receive a Certificate of Completion from a Utah High School may be admitted if their high school class has graduated and they meet the following requirements:

  • A completed University of Utah Admission Application with the required processing fee.
  • An ACT composite score of 23 or higher, or combined SAT Critical Reading and Math score of 1050 or higher.
  • An official high school transcript of credit.  Home schooled students can submit a list of courses completed through their studies. 
  • Scores from the General Education Development (GED) test. Each of the GED sub scores must be 500 or higher, with a composite score of 550 or higher.

Students whose high school class has graduated and who have an ACT score in the upper quartile (25 ACT, 1130 SAT), will not be required to take the GED.  (Please note that students who do not graduate from high school may need to take the GED to qualify for financial aid.  Check with the University of Utah Financial Aid Office at 801 581-6211 for more information).

Early Admission

 A student attending an accredited high school with high scholastic achievement through the junior year 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 May 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. Additional Early Admission information can be found at http://www.utah.edu/newstudents/earlyadmission.htm

Non-traditional Student Admission 

Students who graduated from high school seven or more years prior to the term of admission and have not previously attended a college or university, may apply for non-traditional admissions.  The applicant should mark the non-traditional box on the undergraduate application and submit the application with the required processing fee(s) by the application deadline. The applicant will also need to fill out and sign a non-traditional form.  To complete the evaluation of the application, high school transcripts with their date of graduation posted or a copy of their high school diploma will need to be sent to the Admissions Office.  With the verification of high school graduation, non-traditional applicants are admitted at the discretion of the Director of Admissions.  If approved for admissions, the applicant would be considered a matriculated (degree-seeking) candidate.

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.

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

 

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The University complies with the Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Requests for accommodation or auxiliary services can be made by contacting: Director, Center for Disability Services, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, (801)581-5020 (voice/tty), or online at www.sa.utah.edu/ds/

 

NONDISCRIMINATION

The University of Utah complies with all state and federal nondiscrimination and equal opportunity law.  University of Utah admission policies apply to all prospective students without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, status as a disabled individual, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and status as a Protected Veteran.  The following University employee has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination polices and grievance procedures: Manager, Office of Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action, 201 So. Presidents Circle, Rm 135, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, (801)581-8365(voice/tty), or online at www.hr.utah.edu/oeo/ .