Students who receive a waitlist decision are encouraged to opt-in to join the waitlist for Fall 2025 while also choosing to participate in one of three programs: UT Access Collaborative, Rocky Top Transfer or Verto Vols. We will continue to check in with students on the waitlist to see if they are still interested, or if their plans for Fall 2025 have changed. If capacity becomes available in the Fall 2025 first-year class, students who opt-in to join the waitlist will be notified via email and phone call.
UT Access Collaborative
The UT Access Collaborative program allows students to complete academic coursework for one year at another UT System campus (UT Chattanooga, UT Martin, or UT Southern). Upon meeting the program’s 3.0 GPA and 24 transferable credit hour requirements, UT Access Collaborative students are guaranteed transfer admission at UT Knoxville for Fall 2026. Tennessee residents who participate in UT Access Collaborative and meet transfer admission requirements are also eligible for scholarships under the Tri-Star Scholarship Program.
Rocky Top Transfer
The Rocky Top Transfer program will allow students to complete academic coursework at Pellissippi State Community College for one year either in-person or virtually. Upon meeting the program’s 3.0 GPA and 24 transferable earned credit hour requirements, Rocky Top Transfer students are guaranteed transfer admission to UT for Fall 2026.
Verto Vols
The Verto Vols program allows students to earn college credit abroad for a semester before starting classes at UT. This experience ensures a seamless transition to a successful start on Rocky Top. Upon meeting the program’s minimum 3.0 GPA and 15 earned transferable credit hour requirements, Verto Vols students are guaranteed transfer admission into any non-competitive program at UT for aFall 2026 start.
Next Steps
Students invited to join the waitlist should log into their Go Vols Portal and complete the waitlist form to provide the following:
- Provide an optional statement of continued interest
- Opt-in to join the Fall 2025 first-year waitlist
- Opt-out of the Fall 2025 first-year waitlist
- Choose to participate in Rocky Top Transfer, Verto Vols, or UT Access Collaborative
Students who wish to provide an optional 250-word statement of continued interest in joining our Volunteer family will be able to edit their statement in their Go Vols Portal until April 1, 2025. Students who provided statements and materials of continued interest prior to being offered a spot on our waitlist are encouraged to reiterate their continued interest in this format—UT will not consider previously submitted materials in admissions decisions if space becomes available in the Fall 2025 class.
Students have until April 1, 2025 to respond with their preferences. After completing the form, students will receive information about next steps via email to confirm their spot in their selected program. Students who are admitted off the waitlist to attend UT in Fall 2025 will be issued a full refund for any deposits made towards the program of their choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is your waitlist ranked?
No, our waitlist is not ranked.
When will I find out if I have been admitted from the waitlist?
If capacity becomes available, students who opt-in to join the waitlist will be notified via phone and email.
What is the likelihood that I will be admitted from the waitlist?
We expect to admit some students who join our waitlist if capacity becomes available.
Students on the waitlist are encouraged to explore and consider other options, including participating in either UT Access Collaborative, Verto Vols, or Rocky Top Transfer pathway programs, or enrolling at another institution.
Why were so many students placed on the waitlist this year?
We are seeing another record-breaking year for applications—this is the largest and most competitive application pool in our institution’s history. Because we received more applications for admission this year, the competitiveness of our applicant pool has also increased.
Can I do anything to strengthen my application to be admitted from the waitlist?
Students who wish to remain on our waitlist have the option to provide a 250-word statement of continued interest by April 1, 2025. Students who wish to do so can provide this statement on the waitlist form and may edit their response in their Go Vols Portal up until April 1, 2025.
Applications for admission have already been reviewed through our thorough holistic review process. This includes any materials deferred decision students submitted by the February 14 deadline.
Will I get any scholarships once I transfer back to UT after participating in one of these programs?
Yes, all in-state students who have successfully met program requirements and transferred to UT through the UT Access Collaborative, Rocky Top Transfer, or Verto Vols pathways and meet required qualifications are eligible for scholarships under the Tri-Star Scholarship Program:
- UT Promise Scholarship
- Tennessee Pledge Scholarship
- Flagship Scholarship
Additionally, the Tennessee KIPP Scholarship is offered to admitted freshmen who graduate from KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School or KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School. When combined with the HOPE Scholarship, this scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees* for up to eight (8) semesters.
More information about this scholarship program can be found at tiny.utk.edu/tristar.