Freshman Admissions Requirements
We feel for you as you navigate these challenging times. We hope you and your family are finding ways to celebrate your incredible achievements while staying healthy and safe. If you aren’t sure you meet our admissions requirements, haven’t yet taken or weren’t able to re-take the SAT or ACT, or don’t have an official high school rank, please reach out to us at unt.freshmen@unt.edu so we can assist you with options.
If you need help applying, getting your transcripts or finding answers to your questions – whatever you need, we are here for you.
When to apply: Apply Now! The fall 2021 priority date will be March 1, 2021. You can still apply after the priority date, but late fees will apply.
How to apply: Learn more about the application process.
Guaranteed admission requirements
You are guaranteed admission to UNT if you:
- Rank in the top 10% of your high school class and submit SAT or ACT scores
- Rank in the next 15% and have a minimum 1030 SAT or 20 ACT
- Rank in the 2nd quarter and have a minimum 1130 SAT or 23 ACT
- Rank in the 3rd quarter and have a minimum 1250 SAT or 26 ACT
- Are a registered participant in UNT's Eagle Advantage program
- Have a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
Individual Review of Application
If you aren’t sure you meet our admissions requirements, haven’t yet taken or weren’t able to re-take the SAT or ACT, or don’t have an official high school rank, no problem. We will holistically review your application based on your GPA and other academic criteria. This review is an automatic process when the Office of Undergraduate Admissions determines that an applicant does not meet official UNT minimum entrance requirements.
Through our review, we look at more than your grades. There are other factors that we will consider. These factors may include, but are not limited to:
- High school attended
- First-generation college attendance
- Employment experience
- Special abilities such as bilingual proficiency and meeting family responsibilities
- Individual achievements
- Leadership activities
- Public service
- Extra-curricular activities.
Upon review of the application file, the Admissions Counselor will forward a letter to the student stating the options for possible admission to UNT.
These options may include:
- Submitting new entrance exam scores (SAT or ACT).
- Attending a community college and completing 30 or more college level hours with a minimum 2.25 GPA.
- Duplicating college level work in which the student received a "D" or "F" to improve college GPA.
- Submitting two letters of recommendation and an essay (personal statement) addressing their education and career goals.
Test Scores – SAT or ACT
If you have taken the SAT or ACT, we can also accept a PDF of the score report directly from the high school counselor or registrar official email.
If you are planning to attend UNT as a freshman for fall 2021, you may be admitted as test optional depending on your GPA.
In addition, state law TEC 51.803-51.809, Uniform Admissions Policy (UAP) requires applicants to four-year public universities to meet college readiness standards through completion of a high school graduation program or equivalent or through SAT or ACT score benchmarks. If you attend an out-of-state high school, you are exempt from the UAP.
Students must meet one of the following college readiness standards in order to be eligible for consideration for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution:
- Successfully complete the Foundation (HB5), Foundation with Endorsements (HB5), Distinguished Achievement (HB5), Minimum (UAP), Recommended (UAP) or Distinguished (UAP) high school program or complete the portion of the program that was available to them;
- Successfully complete a curriculum that is equivalent* in content and rigor to the Foundation, Foundation with Endorsements, Distinguished Achievement, Minimum (UAP), Recommended or Advanced (Distinguished Achievement) high school program at a high school that is exempt from offering such programs;
- Satisfy the College Readiness Benchmarks on the SAT or ACT assessment
- SAT - 1500 out of 2400 (for tests prior to March 2016) or 1090 out of 1600 (for tests March 2016 to present)
- ACT - 18 English, 22 Reading, 22 Mathematics and 23 Science
or
or
*Equivalencies must be documented by the student’s high school.
If you meet the state requirements for SAT/ACT score or curriculum listed above, but don’t meet UNT’s admission requirements, your application will be reviewed individually by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Submitting Transcripts
If you’re having difficulty obtaining official documents, please reach out to us at unt.freshmen@unt.edu for assistance.
Other ways we can help you get to UNT
Orientation
Our Freshman Orientation programs scheduled through the end of July will be offered virtually and the fee has been reduced to $105, with only $50 due when you reserve your session.
Housing
Our Housing deposit is now only $50 to secure your space on campus.
Paying for College
We can help you find financial solutions through financial aid, scholarships and student employment opportunities.
Additional Information for Non-Traditional Applicants
Early College High School (ECHS)
We understand that as an ECHS student, you are not the same as most incoming freshmen, so it makes sense that your admissions process should be a little different too. UNT has Admissions Counselors who can help ECHS students with planning, transferring your credits and admissions.
Homeschooled Students
UNT recognizes home school programs and works with homeschooled students in their admission to the university. Homeschooled students must submit an official copy of their high school transcript along with their SAT and/or ACT scores. Each homeschool applicant is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
In addition, homeschooled students must take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment prior to registering for courses. The TSI Assessment cannot be used in admissions decisions at UNT but is necessary for adequate preregistration advising. For more information on the TSI Assessment, please visit UNT Learning Center's TSI web page or call at 940-369-7006.
GED
Students who have earned a GED (and who either have not attended college or, if so, have earned fewer than 30 semester hours of transferable college work) may seek admission to UNT through an Individual Review process.
Early Admission
On an individual basis, UNT may admit high school students to the freshman class after completion of the junior year of high school. To be considered, students must:
- be ranked in the top quarter of their class;
- have a strong B average;
- have completed 3 units of English and 3 units each of solid mathematics, social science and natural science;
- present minimum combined SAT (combined critical reading/verbal + math) score of 1180 or ACT composite of 26;
- submit letters from high school counselor or principal recommending early admission;
- submit a letter from parents or guardians stating they approve of early admission; and
- arrange an interview in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Under this program, high school seniors may be enrolled concurrently at UNT through coordination with the UNT Director of Admissions and the high school.
Adult Admission Program
Freshman applicants who have been out of high school for at least five years and who have earned fewer than 30 semester hours at a college or university may be eligible for admission to UNT under the Adult Admission Program.