Requirements for Admission
The University of Tennessee has a competitive admissions process. Students are considered for admission based largely on their academic performance and credentials, together with additional factors that demonstrate likelihood of success in college.
Our freshman admissions decisions are based on the following elements:
1. Completion of core academic subjects comprising the 14 units required for college admission:
- 4 units of English;
- 2 units of algebra;
- 1 unit of geometry, trigonometry, advanced math, or calculus;
- 2 units of natural science, including at least one unit of biology, chemistry, or physics;
- 1 unit of American history
- 1 unit of European history, world history, or world geography
- 2 units of a single foreign language; and
- 1 unit of visual or performing arts.
2. Core GPA
In the core academic subjects listed above, your GPA will be weighted by UT to reflect honors and dual-enrollment courses (.5 quality points added), and Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses (1.0 quality points added). UT will use unweighted high school course grades as the basis for the core GPA calculation.
3. Standardized test scores
Either ACT or SAT (UT does not require the essay). We use the "super scoring" method of combining test scores into a new composite score. For example:
| Subject | Your 1st ACT | Your 2nd ACT | Your Best Scores | Your "Super Score" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 22 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Math | 24 | 22 | 24 | 24 |
| Reading | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| Science | 25 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Composite | 24 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
4. Other relevant factors
Relevant factors include the following:
- The Personal Statement,
- Extracurricular or leadership activities,
- Special talents or skills,
- Rigor of the applicant's curriculum,
- Difficulty of senior-level coursework,
- Recommendations from teachers and counselors (optional).
» How competitive is our admissions process? The middle 50 percent of the fall 2008 admitted class had score ranges of 1110-1290 (SAT-CR+M) or 25-29 (ACT) and a core high school GPA range of 3.38-3.99.
» 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.
» Special circumstances? We give you the opportunity to include in your application a personal statement addressing your goals and interests and special circumstances that high school transcripts do not reflect. Your school and community activities and awards are also important ways that you can share your accomplishments in your application.
» Need more information on our transcript policy? We thought you might.
» I took placement exams and did well. How does UT determine credits? [Learn more]