Frequently Asked Questions
First-Year Students

Yes! Once you’ve created your account, you will search for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the College Search tab within CommonApp.

UT has a competitive but holistic admissions process. We consider your experience and preparation in academic areas as well as other factors including:

• Rigor of your high school curriculum
• Difficulty of senior-level coursework
• College and academic program
• Extracurricular or leadership activities
• Job and volunteer experience
• Awards
• Special talents or skills
• ACT/SAT Test Scores
• Optional supporting statement

UT calculates a weighted core GPA based on your grades in the courses listed below. Completion of all sixteen core courses is not required for admission but strongly encouraged.

In the core academic subjects, your GPA will be weighted by UT to reflect honors courses (0.5 quality points added), Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge AS and A Level, International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual enrollment courses (1.0 quality points added). UT calculates your GPA on a 4-point scale. UT will use unweighted high school course grades as the basis for adding these weightings for the UT core GPA calculation. If you attend a high school that does not weigh courses, UT will also not weigh them. However, the academic rigor of your curriculum is important and will be valued by our admissions review team.

Core Academic Subjects

• 4 English
• 4 Math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, or other advanced math)
• 3 Science (biology, chemistry, physics, or other science)
• 1 American history
• 1 European history, world history, or world geography
• 2 Single foreign language (or ASL)
• 1 Visual or performing arts

Please see the State of Tennessee’s Department of Education website for graduation requirements.

Early Action applicants who apply by the November 1 priority deadline and complete their application by November 15 will receive their admissions decision in mid-December. All applicants who meet these deadlines are considered for the most scholarship dollars and may be invited to apply for University Honors programs, if eligible. Tennessee students who meet these deadlines are considered for the university’s guaranteed admission policy.

Regular Decision applicants who apply by the December 15 priority deadline and complete their application by January 19 will receive their admissions decision in late February. Students who meet these deadlines are under consideration for institutional scholarships.

UT wants to make it as easy as possible to apply for admission and allows applicants to self-report grades and test scores to make it quicker and easier. Students are required to verify their grades and test scores upon acceptance and confirming enrollment to UT.

Students do not need to submit their official documents during the application process—but we ask all applicants to self-report their grades and standardized test scores. UT will need official high school transcripts and verified test scores by July 1 from all admitted students who confirm enrollment at UT.

Students are required to submit supplemental materials in addition to their application, including a completed Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) and standardized test scores. UT provides a list of missing items in applicants’ Go Vols Portal. To have a completed application and be eligible for review, UT needs items listed in the missing items checklist.

Please send residency questions to the Office of University Registrar at residency@utk.edu.

The application fee is $75 dollars and is nonrefundable.

Students are able to receive a fee waiver on a case-by-case basis. Students attending designated Flagship schools can always apply for free.

Yes, all applicants are required to provide standardized test scores on their application per UT’s test score policy. Students may self-report their scores in their Go Vols Portal.

Students are not required to submit letters of recommendation; however, they will be reviewed in our holistic review process if submitted.

No. UT reviews applicants holistically. Tennessee Early Action will be released December 4. Out-of-State Early Action will be December 17. Regular Decision will be March 4.

Tennessee high school residents attending a high school in Tennessee who apply by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s early action deadlines and meet the following criteria will be offered guaranteed admission to UT:

• Score a 24+ ACT composite (SAT 1160+) with both a 19+ Math ACT subscore (510+ SAT Math) AND 19+ English ACT subscore (500+ SAT (ER + W)) AND
• Achieve one of the following:
  • Earn a 4.0+ UT Core GPA
  • Be among the Top 10% of their high school graduating class

The highest subscore in each subject area for any tests received or self-reported will be used in application review.

Visit the guaranteed admission page for more information.