Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the admissions criteria?

First-Time Freshman Admissions
Transfer Admissions
International Students
Special Admissions Categories
Application for Admission

First-Time Freshman Admissions

The curriculum and the expectations of student performance at The University of Texas at Dallas assume that entering freshmen students have successfully completed a full college-track high-school curriculum and have demonstrated strong general verbal/quantitative aptitudes as measured on national standardized tests.

Automatic Admissions:

In accord with Chapter 51 of the Texas Education Code, students are automatically admitted to the University as first-time freshmen if they graduate in the top 10% of their class from an accredited Texas high school. Applicants must have graduated from high school during one of the two school years preceding the academic year for which they seek admission. Applicants admitted because they are in the top 10% of their high school class may be required to complete additional preparatory work before enrolling in the University. They may also be required to remove any deficiencies in their high school course work before graduating from the University.

Assured Admission

Students who graduate in good standing having completed the Texas recommended high school curriculum and who possess any of the following scores and rankings are assured admission:

  • an SAT score of 1200 (combined math and critical reading) and a class rank within the top 25% of his high school graduating class in an accredited high school;
    OR
  • an ACT score of 26 or greater and a class rank within the top 25 percent of his high school graduating class in an accredited high school

Students may be required to complete additional preparatory work before enrolling in the University and to remove any deficiencies in their high school coursework before graduating from the University.

Reviewed Admissions:

All applications that do not qualify for either automatic or assured admissions will be reviewed. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited high school or satisfied equal requirements, and should have completed the high school unit requirements listed below (see item 9). Admission decisions are based on the applicant's composite achievement profile, including:

  1. high school class rank;
  2. strength of academic preparation including the number of courses taken and their difficulty (honors, AP, IB, etc.);
  3. SAT-I or ACT scores;
  4. record of achievements/honors/awards;
  5. special accomplishments/work/service, both in and out of school;
  6. essays;
  7. special circumstances that put academic achievements in context;
  8. recommendations (not required);
  9. successful completion of a high school curriculum that includes:
    • four units of Language Arts, including at least one unit of writing skills;
    • two units of a single foreign language (three units recommended);
    • three and one-half units of Mathematics beginning with Algebra I or higher and including a course dealing with trigonometry, such as pre-calculus (four units recommended);
    • three units of laboratory science, not including Physical Science;
    • three units of Social Sciences, not including work-study (four units recommended);
    • one-half unit of Fine Arts (one unit recommended);
    • one and one-half units of General Education Electives (two and one-half units recommended);
    • the university also recommends one unit of Computer Science, one-half unit of Health, and one and one-half units of Physical Education;
  10. for Texas residents, consideration may be given to socioeconomic and geographic information.

The review process gives primary consideration to the applicant's scores on standardized tests and high school record although no specific class rank, test score, or other qualification by itself assures admission. The decision for each applicant will be to approve admission, to approve admission conditionally, or to deny admission.

The achievement levels of students admitted to UT Dallas are illustrated by the following statistical profile of the entering freshman class of fall 2007:

  • 75% of students were in the top 25% of their high school graduating class;
  • 42% were in the top 10% of their class;
  • 50% of students scored between 1130 and 1340 on the SAT-I;
  • The average SAT-I score was 1238 (the 2007 national average SAT-I was 1017).

Transfer Admissions

Admission Through the Comet Connection

Many UT Dallas students do not take the conventional path that leads straight from high school to a four-year college degree. The Comet Connection Program was specifically created to enable transfer students to blend their college experiences seamlessly and without financial penalty. It offers a Guaranteed Tuition Program for four years through the UT Dallas Plan. For more information or to receive an updated list or participating community colleges, contact one of our admissions counselors at the Welcome Center, (972)883-2270, or visit http://www.utdallas.edu/connect/.

UT Dallas welcomes applications from prospective students who have begun their college work and are in good standing at other institutions of higher education. Classifications for admission, which are based on transferable semester credit hours, determine the admission criteria.

The University accepts for transfer credit only academic post-secondary course work completed with a grade of C (2.00 on a 4.00 point scale) or higher from regionally accredited institutions of higher education. The University of Texas at Dallas does not offer credit for nonacademic course work, such as vocational, developmental or remedial studies, nor does it grant credit for prior experiential learning. Course work that is accepted for transfer credit is applicable toward satisfying requirements for a specific UT Dallas major according to the same criteria as those used for equivalent UT Dallas courses. Prospective transfer students from Dallas-area community colleges should refer to the UT Dallas Transfer Guides, available at the UT Dallas Office of Admissions, online at http://www.utdallas.edu/transferguides/, and at the community college academic advising officesto learn more about curricula appropriate to the various UT Dallas majors.

As soon as an application for admission, including transcripts and any required test scores, has been received, the Admissions Committee will evaluate the student's record to determine which credits earned at another college or university will transfer to UT Dallas.

The application of transfer credit to degree plans must be completed within the first semester of enrollment. An undergraduate advisor in the student's major, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, has the ultimate responsibility for applying transfer credit to their specific major requirements. Students are urged to contact their advising office upon receipt of the letter informing them of their admission to UT Dallas.

Freshman and Sophomore Transfer Students

Applicants to UT Dallas who have previously taken courses at one or more other accredited institutions of higher education and who are classified as freshmen or sophomores will be reviewed for admission using the same criteria described above for first-time freshmen. In addition, freshmen applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00, on a 4.00 scale, for all post-secondary academic course work. Sophomore applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.

Junior and Senior Transfer Students

Automatic Admissions: Applicants to UT Dallas who have previously taken courses at one or more other accredited institutions of higher education and who are classified as juniors or seniors are admitted automatically if their cumulative GPA for post-secondary academic course work is 2.50 or better, on a scale of 4.00 and they are judged to be making satisfactory academic progress.

Reviewed Admissions: Applications that do not qualify for automatic admission will be reviewed at the discretion of the school offering the applicant's major. Associate Deans will pay particular attention to the academic content and grades of the applicant's college-level work.

Transfer Students Admitted on Probation

If admitted on probation students must:

  1. see an academic advisor before registering,
  2. may not register for more than twelve hours,
  3. may not drop or withdraw from any classes, and
  4. must earn a grade of C or better in classes.
  5. other conditions as prescribed by the admitting Associate Dean.

Students admitted on probation must earn a GPA of at least 2.20 for the first semester of enrollment. Failure to meet these conditions will result in suspension. Students admitted on probation by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education who are subsequently suspended from the University may be readmitted only by the Associate Dean.

International Students (Students on Non-Immigrant Visas)

In addition to satisfying the admissions criteria outlined above, international applicants from non-English-speaking countries must achieve a minimum score of 550 on the paper Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 213 on the computerized TOEFL, or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL. Students must have taken the test within two years of the date of admission. Admitted international students must meet the requirements of the Texas Higher Education Assessment prior to enrolling in classes.

Applicants are strongly urged to meet all published deadlines and submit the application and supporting materials at least six months ahead of the intended date of enrollment.

Certified English translations are required for documents prepared in a language other than English. There is an additional foreign credential evaluation fee for any student who has been educated outside the United States. These processing fees are required of all international students applying for admission to the University.

International students who plan to study with an F or J visa status must also provide evidence of financial support in oder to obtain an I-20 or IAP-66 document.

International students are required to maintain approved comprehensive health insurance while enrolled at The University of Texas at Dallas. At registration, international student will be assessed a health insurance fee for the purchase of the UT System Student health Insurance Plan. This fee may be waived if proof of continuing coverage that satisfies the requirements of USIA regulations with regard to J1 and J2 visa holders is provided.

International students are required to have a mantoux tuberculin skin test preior to registration. See the Health Center web site for more information and documentation.

There is a mandatory orientation session for new F and J visa status international students. Students will not be allowed to register without a permit showing that they have attended orientation.

Special Admissions Categories

Academic Fresh Start
Applicants Concurrently Enrolled in High School
Applicants for Second Baccalaureate Degree
Former Students
Non-Degree Students
Transient Students

Academic Fresh Start

An applicant for admission who is a Texas resident may seek to enter this institution pursuant to the "academic fresh start" statute, Texas Education Code, 51.931. An applicant must make this request in writing to the Office of Enrollment Services before the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll. After the applicant submits that request, UT Dallas will not consider in its admission decision any academic course credits or grades earned by the applicant 10 or more years before the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll. In addition, an applicant admitted under Academic Fresh Start will not receive any course credit for courses taken 10 or more years before enrollment. The granting of Academic Fresh Start will neither affect THEA status nor remove the applicant's responsibility to meet other conditions for admission.

Applicants Concurrently Enrolled in High School

The Dean of Undergraduate Education will consider the co-enrollment of highly qualified high school students in specific UTD courses on an individual basis. Permission for enrollment in particular courses will be at the discretion of the Undergraduate Dean in consultation with the course instructor and the Associate Dean of the school offering the desired course. Co-enrollment decisions will be made based on the academic credentials of the applicant, the scholastic rigor of the requested classes, the course prerequisites, and the demand for the class on the part of ongoing UTD students. Only the Dean of Undergraduate Education may admit a co-enrolled student to the University.

To request co-enrollment, a prospective student must complete an application for admission and submit a copy of his/her high school transcript and all standardized test results. In addition, a letter must accompany the application from the student's high school counselor endorsing the student's enrollment in a particular course. The counselor must also assure the University that the requested courses represent instruction unavailable and/or advanced beyond that offered at the student's high school.

High school students will not be considered for co-enrollment until they pass all sections of THEA, or meet one of the following criteria which exempt them from THEA requirements:

  1. Score at least 23 on the ACT composite score, with a minimum or 19 on both the English and math tests. Residual ACT scores cannot be used.
  2. SAT composite score of 1605 or higher, with 500 in Critical reading, 500 in Math and 500 in Writing. SAT scores can be no more than 5 years old. Residual SAT cannot be used.
  3. TAKS Score established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board required to meet UTD THEA standards.

Applicants for Second Baccalaureate Degree

A student who has graduated from UT Dallas or any other regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate degree may enter another undergraduate program at UT Dallas only with the approval of the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education of the school housing the degree sought.

Former Students

Students who have attended another college or university since they were last enrolled at UT Dallas must submit official transcripts of all such work with the application for admission to the Office of Enrollment Services.

Students who are not registered for three successive long semesters (not including summer session) at UT Dallas must re-apply for readmission before they can re-enter the University. Students must meet the requirements of the catalog in effect for the term of readmission and, if accepted, will be bound by that catalog.

Non-Degree Students

A non-degree student is an undergraduate student who does not intend to seek a degree at UT Dallas, but who wishes to take courses for credit. Up to 15 hours of such course work credit may be transferred to any degree program at the University; acceptance of any of these hours is at the discretion of the Undergraduate Associate Dean of the School into which the student wishes to be accepted.

Non-degree students must meet all requirements for admission. In order to continue enrollment beyond one semester, non-degree students will be bound by the same scholastic standards as apply to regularly enrolled degree-seeking students.

A non-degree student whose work is unsatisfactory and who has been suspended from the University for academic reasons may not re-enroll without permission of the Dean of Undergraduate Education.

NOTE: International students must be enrolled in a degree program, and therefore may not enroll as non-degree students; exceptions may be made for the summer session for those students enrolled in a degree program elsewhere.

Transient Students

Students pursuing undergraduate degrees at colleges and universities other than The University of Texas at Dallas and who desire to transfer credit hours taken at UT Dallas to the degree-granting institution should apply for admission as transient students. Students will be admitted based on evidence of good academic standing at their home institution. In addition, students who have previously attended Texas state-supported institutions must provide evidence of their current TSI/THEA status.

Transient admissions are valid for a single semester.

While UT Dallas credits are generally transferable to other institutions, the student is urged to seek prior approval of course work to be completed at UT Dallas from the institution to which it is to be transferred.

How do I change majors?

Students wishing to change their major should complete a 'Change of Major Request Form' in their academic advisor's office before registration and no later than the first day of classes of a semester/term. Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.00 may only change their major with permission from the Associate Dean of their current major and the Associate Dean of their intended major. Both Associate Deans' signatures are required on the form prior to its submission to the Office of the Registrar.

If the change of major is approved, the student will then be responsible for meeting all program requirements and course prerequisites of the catalog in effect at the time of the change. In the first semester of change to a new major, the student must meet with an academic advisor to prepare a degree plan. The Core Curriculum requirements, however, remain those of the catalog in force at the time of matriculation unless the student specifically chooses those of a more recent catalog.

How do I add or drop a class?

Dates and time limits for schedule changes can be found in the current class schedule (Course Lookup).

Beginning the first day of class through the sixth class day, students may add a class on-line without the instructor's or advisor's signature except for newly admitted students (including transfer students and freshmen), students without declared majors, and those students not in good academic standing, who must meet with an Academic Advisor (How do I find out who my advisor is?) before adding classes.

The University makes a distinction between dropping a class prior to the 12th class day (Census Day) which is not posted to the student's permanent record, and withdrawing from a class (following Census Day) at which point the academic action becomes a part of the student's transcript. Students may drop a class on-line until the end of business on Census Day without any permission required. After Census Day, permissions to drop are required from the school or college in which the student is admitted.

Student who drop all courses in a given semester must officially withdraw from the University.

Students who habitually drop a significant fraction of their schedules may lose the right to drop or may be dismissed from the University for failure to make adequate academic progress.

Students may be dropped from a course for which they have not satisfied the preprequisites (Administrative Drop).

W Period: Through the fourth class week of a long semester, students may withdraw from courses by completing a drop form and having it signed by their academic advisor and course instructor. A grade of 'W' (withdrawn from course) will appear on the student's transcript. Undergraduate students may not withdraw from courses after the last day of classes in the semester. Only students who have officially withdrawn from a course in the manner described above may receive a 'W'. Students who cease to attend class without officially withdrawing in the prescribed manner will receive a grade of 'F'.

WP/WF Period: During the fifth through ninth class weeks of a long semester, students who submit a completed drop form will receive a grade of 'WP' (withdrawn passing) or 'WF' (withdran failing) as determined and assigned by the course instructor. The student must obtain the instructor's and advisor's signatures on the form. If no grade is recorded by the instructor on the drop form, then a default grade of 'WF' will be assigned. After the ninth class week of a long semester, a student may only withdraw from a class for non-academic reasons.

To drop a course for non-academic reasons, students must complete a written petition detailing the nature of the request and include supporting documentation. Non-academic drop petitions are to be obtained from the Undergraduate Student Advising Office (JO4.800) and may be submitted at any time during the semester. The Director of Undergraduate Advising will distribute the petition to a committee whose members will independently review the petition and either approve or deny the request to drop. It is extremely important that students continue to attend and perform in the class if possible, until the petition request is resolved.

If I don't attend class will I automatically be dropped?

No. Students must follow the procedures outlined above. If a student stops attending class and does not complete this process the student will receive an 'F' on his/her transcript.

I didn't get my tuition and fees paid before the deadline, what can I do?

Check with the Office of the Registrar to see if registration has been canceled. Before the 20th class day, to reinstate registration canceled for non-payment, a reinstatement fee will be charged in addition to the escalating late registration fees plus the course-related tuition and fees. After the 20th class day, to reinstate registration canceled for non-payment or to register after Census Day, a fee will be charged per course in addition to the late registration fee plus the course-related tuition and fees. To add a course after Census Day, a Late Course Add fee will be charged in addition to the course related fees. Students will not be reinstated into closed classes.

What should I take next semester?

To plan a schedule for the following semester students should schedule an appointment to meet with their academic advisor around the middle of the current semester. To prepare for the advising appointment review the general education core and specific degree requirements found in the Undergraduate Catalog; the applicable class schedule (Course Lookup); and plan a trial schedule. In the future, students will be able to access their degree plan and an evaluation of the courses they still need on-line. More information will be posted when this opportunity is available.

In planning a trial schedule, students are encouraged to take a variety of classes each semester rather than taking several math and science or heavy reading and writing courses at the same time. Students are also encouraged to take a course they think will be fun each semester. Freshmen are required to take RHET 1101 their first semester. (See What is a typical course load? What is the RHET 1101 class freshmen are required to take?.)

What is the RHET 1101 class freshmen are required to take?

RHET 1101, Oral Communication/Critical Thinking, is designed to help students learn, or improve, the skills that are fundamental to their academic success in a university setting. Even the very best of students have greatly benefited from participating in this small group course. It includes the following topics:

  • Adapting to College
  • Thriving in the Classroom
  • Managing Time and Money
  • Connecting with the Campus and Community
  • Listening, Reading, and Taking Notes
  • Developing Study Skills
  • Succeeding on Tests
  • Thinking
  • Writing and Speaking
  • Communicating and Developing Positive Relationships
  • Living in a Diverse World
  • Being Physically and Mentally Healthy
  • Pursuing Academic and Career Success
  • Practicing Integrity

Which catalog should I follow?

Provided the requisite courses continue to be offered, and given continuous enrollment, students are bound by the Core Curriculum requirements of the catalog in force at the time of their admission, within that catalog's six- year limit.

For students who change their major, the graduation requirements for that major are those stated in the catalog in force at the time of the change. The Core Curriculum requirements, however, remain those of the catalog in force at the time of matriculation unless the student specifically chooses those of a more recent catalog. Should any requisite major courses cease to be offered, substitutions will be made by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education. Should any requisite Core Curriculum courses cease to be offered, substitutions will be made by the Office of Undergraduate Education.

Can an undergraduate take a graduate course?

Undergraduate Registration for Graduate Courses

Upper-division undergraduates, who are within 30 hours of completing the baccalaureate degree, may petition their major's Associate Dean to take graduate courses. If approved these courses can be applied toward satisfying undergraduate degree requirements or can be designated for future application toward a graduate degree requirement at UT Dallas. The student must declare at the time of registration for the course, on a form provided by the Undergraduate Associate Dean, how each approved course is to be applied. Once applied, the options cannot be changed. Approvals will be subject to the conditions outlined in the following sections.

Graduate Courses Applied Toward an Undergraduate Degree

With the approval of the student's Undergraduate Associate Dean, up to 12 semester credit hours of graduate work taken as an undergraduate may be used for completing any baccalaureate degree at UT Dallas. Pass/Fail grading for graduate courses will be permitted in this category but must be approved by the instructor prior to the start of class.

Graduate Courses for Possible Future Use as Graduate Credit

Undergraduates may take up to twelve semester credit hours of graduate courses to reserve for possible application toward a graduate degree. To register, undergraduate students must obtain permission from the course instructor and from the graduate advisor of the program in which the course is offered. Such courses with an earned grade of 'B' or better will be eligible for application to the student's graduate record when the student is admitted to a graduate program. Courses so taken will not apply to the student's undergraduate record and will not affect the student's undergraduate GPA.

Graduate Courses Taken in Fast Track Options

A number of programs at UT Dallas offer an accelerated Fast Track option that allows students to take graduate-level classes while undergraduates. Specific admission requirements for Fast Track programs can be found within the descriptions of majors. Undergraduate students at UT Dallas who have been admitted to Fast Track programs leading to baccalaureate/master's degrees may, with the permission of the student's Undergraduate Associate Dean and graduate advisor, take a maximum of 15 specified semester credit hours of graduate work. The graduate hours may be used to complete the baccalaureate degree and also to satisfy requirements for the master's degree. The grade earned in the graduate coursework must be a 'B' (3.00) or better to be applied to the master's degree requirements.

Graduate programs at UT Dallas will accept admission to a Fast Track program as satisfying Graduate Record Exam (GRE) criteria for admission to the graduate program. The School of Management requires students to meet its graduate admission requirements including completion of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) prior to receiving the baccalaureate degree.

 

this page last updated November 20, 2008