In-state Policy
Guaranteed Admission
As part of our mission to make a college education more accessible to in-state students, UT will guarantee admission to in-state students who apply by our early action deadlines and meet certain requirements.
In-State Guaranteed Admission Policy
Tennessee high school residents attending a high school in Tennessee who apply by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s early action deadlines and meet one the following criteria will be offered guaranteed admission to UT:
- Be among the Top 10% of their high school class
- Have a calculated UT Core GPA of 4.0 or higher
Policy Details
- Apply as an entering freshman student by our early action application deadlines.
- Students must submit their application by November 1, and complete their application by November 15 to be considered an early action applicant.
- The UT Core GPA is calculated using 6th semester grades determined at the end of the junior year in high school.
- Class percentage/deciles are calculated using 6th semester grades determined at the end of the junior year in high school as indicated on the high school transcript, or provided by a school representative.
- Admission to your choice of major indicated on the admission application is not guaranteed, as some programs require additional review for admittance.
- All applicants are encouraged to self-report test scores at the point of application and are required to provide official, verified test scores by July 1 to finalize admission and financial aid, regardless of GPA or class percentile.
- Charter school and home school students are eligible for consideration.
- Non-traditional high school students and mid-year graduates may qualify on a case-by-case basis.
Top 10 Percent Requirements
- Students must be a Tennessee resident graduating from a Tennessee high school with a graduation class of 15 or more students.
- The top 10 percent (i.e. first decile) is determined at the end of the junior year in high school as indicated on the high school transcript or provided by an official school representative.
- Students who have already completed their application for admission and included their self-reported weighted GPA do not need to amend their application.
- Students who did not provide their self-reported weighted GPA as part of their application for admission will be able to update their application prior to November 15.
Top 10 Percent Calculation
- High school counselors should send the lowest weighted GPA for the top 10 percent (i.e. first decile) of their graduating class to UT via Slate.org.
- UT will use this information as a threshold for each high school to determine who is among the top 10 percent of their graduating class based on the self-reported weighted GPA and unofficial transcripts students provide during the application process.
- Students who have already completed their application for admission, including the self-reported weighted GPA, do not need to amend their application.
- Students who did not provide their self-reported weighted GPA as part of their application for admission will need to modify their Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) no later than November 15.
Guaranteed Admission FAQs
How do I know if I qualify for guaranteed admission?
Tennessee residents attending a Tennessee high school who apply by our early action deadlines and attend a public, private or charter high school in the state of Tennessee and meet one of the following criteria listed below:
- Be among the Top 10% of their high school class, OR
- Earn a 4.0 or higher UT Core GPA
How do I know if I am in the top 10 percent of my class?
We encourage you to talk with your high school counselor. UT will provide resources to schools to assist school partners with providing this information.
What if I do not qualify for guaranteed admission and/or am just outside the top 10% of my class?
Students who do not meet guaranteed admission criteria or miss UT’s early action deadlines will be reviewed holistically by our admissions team.
Questions or Assistance?
Connect with your admissions counselor!