Comet Connection
What is the Comet Connection?
The Comet Connection is specifically for students who begin at community college and know they would like to complete their degree at The University of Texas at Dallas. This unique program invites transfer students to become acquainted with the many services available to UT Dallas students.
You may learn more about the Comet Connection by contacting our Enrollment Services Advisors at 972-883-2270.
Comet Connection members build a close association with UT Dallas. In addition to invitations to exclusive Comet Connection events, participants receive:
- Tuition Savings: Participate in the UT Dallas Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan
- Deferred Admission: Defer admission for up to 12 months
- Degree Completion: Transfer UT Dallas course credit back to your community college
to complete your associate degree
- Early Advice: Meet one-on-one with UT Dallas academic advisors
- Career Preparation: Access health professions and pre-law advising centers
- Library Privileges: Use the UT Dallas Library through the TexShare program
- Student Discounts: Join us at campus and athletic events and get the Comet Connection student rate
The Office of Enrollment Services works closely with Comet Connection counselors to provide the training and support to ensure that each student receives the ultimate benefits from the program. Comet Connection services include:
- Partnering with a UT Dallas Admissions Counselor
- Pre-Admission counseling
- Training in the Comet Connection program
- Training in Course Applicability System (CAS)
- Training in UT Dallas' Guaranteed Fixed-Rate Tuition
- Training in reverse transfer of credit
- Scholarship information
- Attending regional Comet Connection Expos
All two-year colleges in the state of Texas are participating partners in the UT Dallas Comet Connection program.
Join the Comet Connection
Step 1:Choose courses at any of the 50 Texas community colleges in the left column that will:
- Lead to an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts in Teaching degree.
- Refer to the UT Dallas Transfer Guides to choose classes that will directly apply toward your bachelor’s degree.
Step 2:
Join the Comet Connection
- Complete a minimum of 12 hours at your community college
- Be in good standing at your community college
- Download the Comet Connection agreement for your school (choose from schools listed left)
- Fill out the student information section of the Comet Connection agreement
- Have an academic advisor at your community college sign the agreement
- Return the form to the UT Dallas Office of Admission and Enrollment Services
- Be sure to get your Comet Connection ID card from the Comet Center after you receive your Comet Connection confirmation letter
- You are now a member of the Comet Connection!
Step 3:
Apply to UT Dallas
- Complete a minimum of 30 transferrable credit hours at your community college
- Submit the following documents to UT Dallas:
- ApplyTexas Application for Transfer Admission
- Official transcripts from ALL colleges/universities attended
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Have your application fee waived by attending a UT Dallas Scholars’ Day, Preview Friday or Comet Expo
- Submit the required documents by the posted deadlines
Step 4:
Enroll at UT Dallas
- Declare your Intent to Enroll
- Register for Transfer Orientation
- Schedule a meeting with an academic advisor
- For Comet Connection members, admission is valid for 12 months from the semester of admission. Comet Connection students who plan to defer enrollment should submit the Deferment of Admission form to the office of Admission and Enrollment Services
Lock in your tuition - Guaranteed!
As a Comet Connection member, you can lock in your tuition rate for five years from the time of your signed Comet Connection agreement. Tuition is charged on an hourly rate up to 15 hours for Texas residents. Any hours you take beyond 15 incur no further charge for tuition. For more information, go to UT Dallas' Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan website.
| Tuition Lock Enrollment Date | Fixed Tuition Rate | Final Semester of Fixed Tuition Rate |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2009 - Dec 31, 2009 | Fall 2009 | Summer 2014 |
| Jan 1, 2010 - June 30, 2010 | Fall 2009 | Summer 2014 |
| July 1, 2010 - Dec 30, 2010 | Fall 2010 | Summer 2015 |
Admission Criteria
UT Dallas welcomes applications for admission from transfer students for the fall, spring and summer semesters. Classifications for admission, which are based on transferable semester credit hours (SCH), determine the admission criteria.
Assured Admission
Sophomore (30-41 transferable credit hours) Transfer Admissions
Must satisfy all of the following criteria to qualify for assured admission:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Completion of all the following courses with B or better:
- RHET 1301 or 1302
- College algebra or higher (not trigonometry)
- A social science core course
- A major-related course (or core lab science if undecided)
- Be in good standing from the last college or university attended
Junior and Senior (42 + transferable credit hours) Transfer Admissions
Must satisfy all of the following criteria to qualify for assured admission:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Be in good standing from the last college or university attended
Reviewed Admission
- Transfer students who do not meet the criteria for assured admission will be reviewed for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- It is recommended that reviewed applicants provide an essay explaining their educational history.
Other Features
Eligibility for Honors Program
Collegium V is the four-year Honors Program at UT Dallas. Transfer students who have participated in accredited honors programs at other colleges or universities and have at least a 3.5 grade point average are invited to apply. Transfer students may receive up to 12 hours of honors credit from accredited honors programs. Participation in Collegium V is not guaranteed. Applications are available through the Collegium V office at 972-883-4297.
Transfer Scholarships
Students with 42 to 90 transferrable hours and a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for competitively awarded Transfer Scholarships for the fall and spring semesters.
First time, degree seeking undergraduate transfer students who are current members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) are eligible for the PTK scholarship. This award may also include a housing stipend.
Visit the Transfer Scholarship Web site for more details.
Contacts and Questions
For more information on the Comet Connection, or to receive an updated list of participating community colleges, contact one of our Enrollment Services Advisors at 972-883-2270.
Updated: October 26, 2009

