It’s never been a better time to be a Tennessee Volunteer! The Fall 2026 class will join a community ready to engage in learning, growth, and meaningful, life changing experiences. Our approach to admissions is focused on delivering an unparalleled Volunteer experience for all Vols and creating pathways that give students a clear road to Rocky Top based on their academic preparedness, interests, and aspirations.
Below is an overview of UT’s Fall 2026 admissions information with details to help better understand the factors contributing to admission decisions and pathway invitations.
Fall 2026 Decision Timelines & Definitions
In-state applicants who met early action deadlines received an admissions decision on Monday, December 8. Non-resident applicants who met early action deadlines received an admissions decision on Monday, December 15.
Applicants who met regular decision deadlines or who are deferred in December will receive an admissions decision on Monday, March 9. All students who received a deferral notice during the December release have been admitted, placed on the waitlist, or offered a pathway to guaranteed transfer enrollment at UT.
Understanding Your Decision
Students will receive one of the following:
- Admit | Students offered First-Year Admission for Fall 2026
- Defer (Dec. Early-Action Releases Only) | Your application remains under review and you will receive an updated admissions decision in March.
- Waitlist Invitations | Select applicants will receive an invitation to join our Waitlist for Fall 2026 with the option to participate in one of our three pathway programs—UT Access Collaborative, Rocky Top Transfer, or study abroad for a semester through the Verto Vols Semester Abroad program. Space in the Verto Vols Semester Abroad program is limited, and students will be offered the Verto Vols Year Abroad program once semester capacity is reached. Please note, our waitlist is not ranked, and students offered admission from the waitlist will be notified as space becomes available in the first-year cohort.
- Pathway Program Invitations | Select applicants will receive Pathway Programs invitations that enable guaranteed UT Knoxville admission in Spring 2027 (limited capacity) or Fall 2027 upon successful program completion. Pathway invitations are determined based on academic preparation. There are two possible types of Pathway invitations:
- Pathway + Verto Vol Year Abroad: Students in this group are invited to participate in UT Access Collaborative, Rocky Top Transfer, or begin their experience abroad through the Verto Vol Year Abroad program.
- Pathway Only: Students in this group are invited to participate in UT Access Collaborative or Rocky Top Transfer but will not have the opportunity to pursue the Verto Vol Year Abroad option.
- Deny | Students denied for Fall 2026 are encouraged to consider a transfer opportunity in the future.
Learn more about each decision here.
How We Review Applications
Applicants who do not meet in-state Guaranteed Admission criteria are reviewed through a holistic review process — one that considers academic achievement and progression, extracurricular activities, community impact, and potential for leadership. This review includes:
- Difficulty of senior-level coursework
- ACT/SAT Test Scores
- College and academic program
- Rigor of your high school curriculum
- Extracurricular or leadership activities
- Job and volunteer experience
- Awards
- Special talents or skills
- Optional supporting statement
- Letters of Recommendation
Guaranteed Admission for Tennessee Students
Policy Overview
The updated in-state Guaranteed Admission policy, approved by the UT Board of Trustees in June 2024, continues to expand access for high-achieving Tennesseans.
Fall 2026 Snapshot
- 6,265 in-state students met guaranteed admission criteria
- Representing 94 Tennessee counties and 395 high schools
- Mid-50% ACT (self-reported): 27-33
- Mid-50% UT Core Weighted GPA: 4.25-4.56
Admitted Student Overview
*Includes admits from early action releases Tennessee release (Dec.8) Non-resident release (Dec. 15) and the regular admissions decision release (March 9).
- Admitted | 27,864
- In-state | 9,042
- Out-of-state | 18,558
- International | 264
28-32 Mid 50% Self-Reported Composite ACT (1300-1440 SAT Equivalent)
- TN | 26-32
- OOS | 29-32
- International | 27-33
4.08-4.50 Mid 50% UT Core Weighted GPA
- TN | 4.07-4.50
- OOS | 4.11-4.50
- International | 3.81-4.33
Regular Decision Application Trends
UT continues to experience growing interest and increases among highly prepared applicants. This represents UT’s most competitive applicant pool in our history.
- 66,654 applications submitted by December 15 | 10.2% increase and 6,177 more than last year
- In-state 14,002 (2.0% increase and 275 more than Fall 2025)
- OOS 51,980 (12.7% increase and 5,869 more than Fall 2025)
- INTL 672 (5.2% increase and 33 more than Fall 2025)
- 58,279 applications completed by January 17 | 12.9% increase and 6,636 more than last year
- In-state 11,898 (3.7% increase and 424 ore than Fall 2025)
- OOS 45,968 (15.4% increase and 6,146 more than Fall 2025)
- INTL 413 (19.0% increase and 66 more than Fall 2025)
- Application Profile for Completed Applications (Mid-50%)
- In-state | 3.83-4.46 UT GPA, 24-31 ACT
- OOS | 3.71-4.35 UT GPA, 23-30 ACT
- International | 3.55-4.18 UT GPA, 24-32 ACT
Fall 2026 Admit Profile (December Early Action)
Admitted Students (count)
- In-State | 7,646
- Out-of-State | 12,729
- International | 163
Mid-50% ACT
- In-State | 26–32
- Out-of-State | 29-33
- International | 28-34
Mid-50% UT Core Weighted GPA
- In-State | 4.08-4.53
- Out-of-State | 4.17-4.53
- International | 4.00-4.39
Early Action Application Trends
UT continues to experience growing interest and increases among highly prepared applicants. This represents UT’s most competitive applicant pool in our history.
- 59,197 applications submitted by November 1 | 13.2% increase and 6,903 more than last year
- In-state 12,699 (4.9% increase and 591 more than Fall 2025)
- OOS 46,013 (15.7% increase and 6,246 more than Fall 2025)
- INTL 485 (15.8% increase and 66 more than Fall 2025)
- 49,610 applications completed by November 15 | 11.2% increase and 5,009 more than last year
- In-state 10,403 (3.8% increase and 381 more than Fall 2025)
- OOS 39,178 (14.0% increase and 4,803 more than Fall 2025)
- INTL 29 (-85.8% decrease and -175 less than Fall 2025)
- Application Profile for Completed Applications (Mid-50%)
- In-state | 3.87-4.47 UT GPA, 24-31 ACT
- OOS | 3.75-4.36 UT GPA, 24-30 ACT
- International | 4.27-4.67 UT GPA, 31-34 ACT
A Message to Applicants, Families & Future Volunteers
UT’s success isn’t just about numbers — it’s about people. When you become a Volunteer, you’re joining a community committed to making a difference — for you, for the state, and for the world.
If your decision is Admit — Congratulations! Welcome to the Volunteer family. We can’t wait for you to begin your Rocky Top journey.
If your decision is Defer (Early-Action Only) — we want to know more about your academic journey this fall. UT remains committed to your potential and to providing a supported route to becoming a Volunteer.
If your decision is Waitlist — Applicants who have been offered a spot on our waitlist for Fall 2026 can choose to remain on the waitlist and participate in one of UT’s Pathway Programs—UT Access Collaborative, Rocky Top Transfer, or Verto Vols. Students who opt in to join the Fall 2026 waitlist by April 1, 2026 will be given priority consideration for admission if space becomes available.
Students who choose to participate in one of UT’s Pathway Programs who are offered admission from the waitlist will be given a refund for any enrollment deposit paid toward their program of choice. Participating in a pathway program will not negatively impact chances of admission from the waitlist.
Students who choose to remain on the waitlist for Fall 2026 will be given the option to provide a 250-word statement of continued interest. Students can provide this statement on the Waitlist form or at a later date in the Next Steps tab of their Go Vols Portal. Students have until April 1, 2026 to finalize statements of continued interest.
More information about our waitlist can be found here. For more information about our pathway programs, please visit this page.
If your decision is Pathway Programs — UT sees your potential and is committed to finding a place for you within UT’s community. All roads lead to Rocky Top.
If your decision is Deny — this moment does not determine your future with UT. Many Volunteers begin elsewhere and later join the Volunteer family as a transfer student.