Freshman Applicants

The University of Tennessee seeks to admit a freshman class that

• reflects its mission as the state’s leading public teaching and research university;
• represents the diversity of the state of Tennessee; and
• incorporates enrollment guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.

Each fall, UT admits a freshman class of a size to maintain a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 20,000 students. You may review our admission requirements here.

When to Apply

The admission application for summer 2009 and Fall 2009 will be available on August 1, 2008. Please apply early! It is never too late to start the application process. Our new, regular deadline for completed applications is December 1.

Application Process

Step 1: Obtain an Application for Admission. You may apply on-line (recommended), or download a printable application from this site. The updated application for Spring, Summer and Fall is typically available August 1 of each calendar year.

• Apply on-line (Recommended)
• Printable Application (PDF)

Note: If you cannot view the PDF file, please download and install the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download).

Step 2: Complete and submit the application with the application fee* by the appropriate deadline.

*Application Fee Waiver: If you qualify for an application fee waiver, you may download and print a copy of the fee waiver form. The completed fee waiver form must accompany your completed paper application. Online applications cannot be submitted without payment of the application fee.

Step 3: Have your high school and/or college mail official transcripts to:

The University of Tennessee
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
320 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN, 37996-0230.

Official transcripts must be received by the Admissions Office by December 1 for Summer and Fall applicants.

Before you do this, however, please read the following:

• Our transcript policy,
• Our policies regarding transfer credit, and
• Our policies with regard to awarding college credit for high-scoring AP, IB, and CLEP exams.

Step 4: Have your ACT and/or SAT test scores sent to UT by the testing services. UT will also accept records of ACT and SAT exams that appear on official high school transcripts. Your test scores must be received by the Admissions office by December 1 for Summer and Fall applicants.

Admission Decisions

All applicants will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of their application form. That letter will tell applicants how they can access online information concerning the status of their application. It may also indicate that UT has not yet received an official transcript or test scores, and applicants are encouraged to wait three weeks after receiving this letter before they inquire with their guidance office about transcripts not received by UT.

Applicants for Fall who meet the December 1 application deadline will receive an initial admission decision by the end of February.  Applicants who are waitlisted at that time will be considered again at a later date.

Confirming Enrollment

First time entering freshmen in the Spring, Summer, or Fall are required to pay the enrollment deposit fee.  Regardless of your entry term, all deposits are due by May 1. For more details on confirming your enrollment, please visit our confirmation page.

Attending Student Orientation

New students are required to participate in a formal Student Orientation program, during which they will receive academic advising and register for classes. Students enrolling in the fall must confirm enrollment and pay the $150 enrollment deposit before they can register for an orientation session. Visit the Student Orientation & Leadership website for more information.

Applying for Scholarships and Financial Aid

Visit the home page of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to learn more about opportunities that UT offers to help you finance your education and to apply for scholarships online. Your completed application for admission to UT must be received before you can be offered any of UT's scholarships.

Applying for Campus Housing

The home page of the Office of University Housing will show you the many living options offered in UT's residence halls and the online application for housing and dining. Priorities in residence hall selection are based on the date of your application for housing, and you may apply for housing before applying for admission.

» New Admission Application Deadline!
Our new, single admission application deadline is December 1.

» Request Information
Still need more information before you begin the application process? Fill out our online information request form.

» Already applied?
We're reviewing your application materials carefully, and that takes time. We also know that sometimes the wait is the hardest part. With that in mind, here's a quick and easy way to check your application status online. This information is available 24/7, and is updated as decisions are made.
Note: If you attempt to follow the above link and receive an error message, please clear your browser's cache and try again.

» I took placement exams and did well. How does UT determine credits? [Learn more]

» Increase Your Chances of Admission! There are several additional things you can do in order to make your future as a Tennessee Volunteer more likely. Here is the "short list":

1. Take appropriately demanding courses and pursue the most challenging academic program that you can handle. National studies, as well as UT’s own research, indicate that rigorous high school preparation is the best predictor of success in college. As UT seeks to admit students who will be successful at the state’s major teaching and research university, we look for applicants who have taken advantage of the strongest academic opportunities available to them. Those include exceeding minimum requirements in the core academic subjects and AP, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment courses.

2. Take the ACT or SAT early. Take it in your Junior year, and again in the fall of your senior year. You may retake these tests. We use "super scoring," so it certainly can't hurt.

3. Note special circumstances. If there are special circumstances that have affected your academic performance, use the personal statement on the application to tell us about them.

4. Send a transcript with seventh semester grades... but only if they strengthen your academic record! Although initial admissions decisions are based on six semesters of high school work, we also will look at seventh semester grades.