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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 21,000 students. You may review our admission requirements here.

When to Apply

Please apply early! It's never too early to start the application process. Please be sure to check our dates and deadlines page.

Application Process

Step 1: Complete and submit the application for admission.

Become a UT VIP (Vol-in-Progress) and apply online. The updated application for Spring, Summer and Fall is typically available in early August each year.

Please apply online. A copy of the application is here for your review.

Step 2: 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

If you have completed any high school or college academic work outside of the U.S., you must submit your official transcripts to an evaluation agency that is a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services). A "detailed" or "course-by-course" evaluation" including a calculated college Grade Point Average (GPA) is required for all college work completed in a country other than the United States. Applicants who have completed fewer than 30 transferable college credit hours will also be required to also submit a general evaluation with calculated Grade Point Average that interprets all secondary or high school work. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will be able to process an application only after receiving the necessary report from the evaluation company.

Companies offering these evaluation services include:

• Academic Evaluation Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
• World Education Services, Inc. (WES)

Step 3: 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 an acknowledgement of receipt of their application which will tell them 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.  

Confirming Enrollment

First time entering freshmen in the Fall are required to confirm their enrollment and pay the non-refundable $250 enrollment deposit fee by May 1.

The enrollment deposit is applied to the student's first semester fees and must be paid by the indicated deadline before an admitted student may obtain a campus housing contract or register for student orientation.

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. Visit the Student Orientation & Leadership website for more information.

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 apartments. Priorities in residence hall selection are based on the date of your confirmation of enrollment and payment of the nonrefundable $250 enrollment deposit fee.

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. Once you submit the admissions part of the application and pay the $30 application fee, a link to complete the scholarship segment will appear on your VIP page.

The scholarship segment can be completed at a different time, but must be submitted no later than November 1 to be considered for UT's competitive, campus-wide, and departmental scholarships.

Applying for Honors Programs

The Honors home page has complete information about applying for the campus-wide Chancellor's Honors Program, Haslam Scholars Program, and many other honors opportunities for academically talented and highly motivated students.

» Admission application deadlines:

• November 1—Admission and scholarship application deadline to receive full consideration for UT's competitive scholarships and admission to the Chancellor's Honors Program.
• December 1—Regular admission application deadline.

» 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.

» Did you take placement exams?

Placement exams include tests taken for AP, CLEP, and IB Credit. Find out how much credit UT offers when you score well on a placement exam.

» Increase your chances of admission!

There are several ways you can 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 the ACT and/or SAT in your Junior year, and again in the fall of your senior year. You may retake these tests. We use "super scoring," so taking these tests more than once can improve your overall score.

3. Note special circumstances.

Use the optional personal statement to share with us your most important successes in high school and let us know if there have been special circumstances that have affected your academic performance.

4. Optional letters of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation are not required, but all applicants have the option to request letters from people who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in college, especially teachers and counselors.