Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Eligibility for the Top 25% Automatic Admission

You qualify for automatic admission if you:

• attend a public or private high school in Texas, and
• rank in the top 25% of your graduating class on or before the application deadline, and
• satisfy the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy, and
• complete the new foundation plan with the Distinguished Level of Achievement
• make sure all required documents are received by the application deadline.

Freshman Admission

Eligibility for admission as a freshman is determined primarily on the basis of three predictors of academic success: high school preparation, rank in high school class, and high school Grade Point Average. Additional consideration for admission will be based on an evaluation of the additional criteria as described below. 

Freshman Orientation
All freshmen graduating from high-school or transfer students transferring less than 30 semester credit hours are required to complete Orientation prior to registering for classes.  Freshmen are required to attend an on-campus Orientation session.  The program gives students the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor and register for classes, as well as learn about campus services, resources, and student activities.  

For more information regarding Freshman Orientation or to register for Orientation, contact the Office of New Student & Family Programs, visit http://www.uttyler.edu/sll/newstudentprograms/, or call 903.565.5645.

High School Preparation

To be eligible for admission to the university as a freshman, an applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent. A high school record that demonstrates achievement in the most challenging academic course work available is the best single predictor of academic success. Beginning freshmen must submit an official high school transcript before classes begin in order to verify graduation and completion of required courses.

The minimum high school units required for admission include:

1. English/Language Arts
   Required: Four units of English to include English I, II, III and IV or higher
2. Science
   Required: Four units of science to include at least one unit of Biology, Chemistry and two advanced sciences such as Physics, Environmental Science, or Anatomy and Physiology. 
   Strongly recommended: Three units of laboratory science including Chemistry and Physics. 
3. Language other than English
   Required: Two units in a single language (American Sign Language courses included)
4. Mathematics
   Required: Four units of math to include Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and advanced math courses such as pre-calculus, calculus, and statistics
5. Social Studies
   Required: Three units to include world/human geography or world history, US history since 1877, US government and economics.
6. Electives
   Required: Additional one credit in fine arts and/or computer science and physical education to satisfy high school graduation requirements

High School Rank in Class and GPA

1. An applicant who graduates from an accredited high school in one of the two years preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying for admission and who has a grade point average in the Top 25% of the applicant's high school graduating class will be admitted automatically (subject to applicable enrollment limit). 
2. An applicant who does not qualify for admission under item (1.) but meets the following criteria also qualifies for regular admission:

*If not ranked must meet GPA minimum criteria standards.

Home schooled students:  Requirements for home schooled students entering as freshmen are as follows:

1. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4 pt scale.
2. Official Notarized HS transcript or GED scores.

Additional Criteria

In addition to the current university requirements for admission, applicants must also have either: successfully completed the curriculum requirements for the foundation with endorsement or distinguished level of achievement high school program or its equivalent.

The above requirement may be satisfied if the applicants official high school transcript or diploma states that the applicant completed the portion of the foundation with endorsement or distinguished level of achievement curriculum or its equivalent that was available to the applicant, but was unable to complete the remainder of the curriculum solely because courses necessary to complete the remainder were unavailable to the applicant at the appropriate times in the applicant's high school career as a result of course scheduling, lack of enrollment capacity, or another cause not within the applicant's control.

Transfer Students

Transfer students having fewer than 30 semester credit hours must meet the freshmen admission requirements as specified above.

Transfer students having successfully completed 30 semester hours or more at an accredited institution must have earned a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (on a 4.00 scale) on all college/university coursework attempted.

Students seeking special certification courses may be admitted to complete the required certification courses based on the program requirements.

UT Tyler strives to provide guidance for prospective transfer students by outreach through community college visits, individual counseling, transfer credit evaluations, on-campus recruitment events, and orientation. UT Tyler offers transfer students scholarship opportunities to those who qualify. Transfer scholarship awards are renewable for two years and have the effect of waiving out-of-state tuition. Additional information regarding admission requirements, scholarship information, recommended degree plans, housing, student life, and athletics are all included on the UT Tyler web site: www.uttyler.edu.

Transfer Orientation
Transfer students who are transferring more than 30 semester credit hours must sign up for Transfer Orientation. Transfer students have the option to register for an on-campus or online orientation. Recognizing that transfer students already have experience taking university-level courses, this orientation focuses on helping new transfer students learn about the services, resources, and processes at UT Tyler. The orientation also provides an opportunity for transfer students to connect with other UT Tyler students.

For more information regarding Transfer Orientation or to register for Orientation, contact the Office of New Student & Family Programs, visit http://www.uttyler.edu/orientation, or call 903.565.5645.

Appealing an Admission Decision

Students who do not meet the minimal admission requirements, or who have special ability, experience, or other circumstances to demonstrate readiness for college level work may petition for admission by scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor and submitting an application for appeal form and supporting documentation to the Admissions Office, STE 209. Petitions for special admission to the university must receive approval from the Admissions Appeal Committee prior to registration.

Readmission

If a student has not attended UT Tyler during the past academic year, the student will need to submit a completed application, official transcripts from any institution attended since leaving UT Tyler, and a $60 application fee for domestic students, or a $75 application fee for international students. Readmitted students come under the catalog in effect at the time of readmission. Students who withdraw from the university to perform active military service (not including Texas National Guard training exercises) will not have to reapply for admission but will be readmitted upon a request made within one year of being released from active military services and may be eligible for the same financial assistance provided before the student's withdrawal. See Texas Education Code, Section 51.9242.

Transient Admission

Undergraduate students pursuing degrees at other colleges and universities who wish to take courses at the University may be admitted as transient students. The transient student application and approval form are available in the One-Stop Service Center (OSC), STE 230, or the website at https://www.uttyler.edu/admissions/transient/. 

A transient student who later wishes to be admitted to the University on a regular basis must apply for admission as a transfer student.

Students who attend the University as transient students and then are admitted on a regular basis are immediately subject to the University’s academic regulations. Specifically, students will be placed on academic probation upon enrollment if their grade point average for work undertaken at the University as a transient student is below a 2.00.

International Admissions

In addition to the undergraduate admission requirements stated previously, applicants that are F-1 nonimmigrant visa holders from countries other than the U.S. are subject to the following requirements for the assessment and transfer of academic credits from a foreign institution:

1. Supply an official transcript from each foreign institution, and an English evaluation of each from an approved agency to the Undergraduate Admissions Office, or 
   If the applicant is transferring from a regionally accredited institution that has previously assessed their foreign transcripts, they may request for the transcribed credits to be evaluated based upon documentation from the prior institution detailing how the credits were transcribed per their review of the student’s international record. Students may submit documentation for this review as: 
   1. An official transcript that specifically lists details of what credits were transferred, how many credits were awarded per course, and how they were equated at the sending institution, or 
   2. An official transcript lacking specific equivalency details, accompanied by either 1) an unofficial transcript that lists all details required under item A, or 2) a letter detailing all items required under item A at the prior institution. All such unofficial transcripts and/or letters must be printed on the sending institution’s official letterhead and bear the institution’s official seal to confirm their authenticity An official English evaluation of the transcripts, from an approved agency of the Undergraduate Admissions Office if the academic transcripts are from a foreign institution. 
2. Evidence of English proficiency must be submitted before admission will be granted. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results of the Test of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (PTE), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the EIKEN exam. Minimum score requirements are as follows:
   1. TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT): 79
   2. TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT): 550
   3. Duolingo English Test: 105
   4. Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53
   5. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score: 6.5
   6. EIKEN: Grade 1
   7. TOEFL, PTE, IELTS and EIKEN scores will be waived for individuals who complete Level 6 of the University of Texas at Tyler Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) with no grade lower than an A or those who complete Level 7 with no grade lower than a B.  See http://www.uttyler.edu/oip/ieli/ for more information.  
3. All undergraduate international students must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $75.00. Submit the International Application Fee. A nonrefundable application fee of U.S. $75.00, payable by cashier's check or money order, is required of all international students applying for admission to The University of Texas at Tyler.
4. Application deadlines are as follows: 

   Semester of Enrollment	If outside U.S.	If already in the U.S.
   Fall	May 31	June 30
   Spring	October 31	November 30
   Summer	February 28	March 20

   After an international student is admitted, the student will be required to submit the following documentation to the Office of International Programs (OIP) oip@uttyler.edu for more information.
   1. Students must submit a Certification of Financial Responsibility (CFR) demonstrating sufficient funding to cover educational and living expenses while attending UT Tyler. If financial support is being provided by a sponsor, the CFR must include an affidavit of support indicating the amount of funding being provided in U.S. dollars. Supporting financial documentation may also be required.
   2. Holders of student (F-1) visas must be classified as full-time students. For international undergraduate students, full-time enrollment is 12 semester credit hours.
   3. Before registration, all international students must complete the required check-in process with the Office of International Programs (OIP). As part of check-in, students must submit copies of their current passport, visa, I-94 record, and most recent Form I-20, and provide their current U.S. residential address and phone number. Accepted students transferring from another U.S. institution must contact OIP to initiate the SEVIS transfer process and arrange for the transfer of their SEVIS record to UT Tyler. 
   4. International students with an F or J visas are automatically enrolled in the UT System Student Health Insurance Program (UT SHIP). The health insurance fee will be assessed at the time of enrollment. International students may submit a waiver during the waiver period only. However, the policy must meet or exceed UT SHIP insurance requirements. If the waiver is approved by the waiver team, the insurance charge on the student bill will be removed. The health insurance fee will be in the amount of the premium approved by the UT System Student Health Insurance Plan for the actual cost of the insurance.

For information regarding International Student Services, contact the Office of International Programs at 903.565.5960, or visit https://www.uttyler.edu/oip/. 

Transient or Visiting Admission at other Institutions

After the student is admitted to UT Tyler, he or she should not register for any course(s) at any other institution until approval is granted. Approval by the student’s Advisor, Department Chair, Dean and the University Registrar is required to assure that the courses taken at another institution will count toward the student’s degree. A student should not register at another institution until an Undergraduate Transient Form has been completed and approved. Forms for this purpose are available at www.uttyler.edu/registrar/forms/index.php or at the One-Stop Service Center and must be submitted by the relevant UT Tyler Census Date as noted on the Academic Calendar.

Academic Fresh Start

In accordance with Texas Education Code, Section 51.931, Texas residents may choose to have academic coursework completed five (5) or more academic years prior to enrollment disregarded for admission purposes through Academic Fresh Start. Students applying for Academic Fresh Start must begin under this option in the fall term.

An applicant must be a Texas resident at the time of application and must elect Academic Fresh Start at that time, regardless of where the prior credits were earned. Credits do not need to be exclusively from Texas institutions. Academic credits and degrees earned five or more academic years ago are not expunged or rescinded; rather, they are excluded from GPA calculations to allow students to establish a new academic record. Academic Fresh Start is an “all-or-nothing” option. Students may not choose individual courses to exclude. All coursework completed during the applicable time period is removed from GPA calculations. Credits earned five or more academic years ago may not be used to satisfy degree requirements at UT Tyler.

Academic Fresh Start is irreversible and may only be used once within the State of Texas. Electing Academic Fresh Start does not increase financial aid eligibility. While prior coursework is excluded from academic GPA calculations, all previously attempted credit hours are still considered for financial aid purposes. If a student completes a new degree under Academic Fresh Start, only the GPA earned after invoking the program will be considered for admission to postgraduate or professional programs.