First Time Freshman Admissions

A “first-time freshman” is an applicant to UT-D directly following high school graduation. Applicants are still considered “first-time freshmen” if they earn college credit before high school graduation. If an applicant has earned college credit after high school graduation they are not considered a “first-time freshman” and should consult admission requirements for a transfer student (see Admissions – Freshman and Sophomore Transfer Students).

The University’s policy is to admit applicants who are most able to benefit from and contribute to the university’s academic and research mission. The high academic expectations and complex educational curricula at U.T. Dallas require that entering freshman 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 Admission

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 as first-time freshmen. 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 coursework before graduating from the university.

Reviewed Admission

Applications from all students not graduating from Texas high schools in the top 10% of their class, as specified above, 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 (suggested but not required);
9. successful completion of a high school curriculum that includes:
   1. four units of Language Arts, including at least one unit of writing skills;
   2. two units of a single foreign language (three units recommended);
   3. 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);
   4. three units of laboratory science, not including Physical Science;
   5. three units of Social Sciences, not including work study (four units recommended);
   6. one half unit of Fine Arts (one unit recommended);
   7. one and one half units of General Education Electives (two and one half units recommended);
   8. 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 except as described above under Automatic Admissions. The decision for each applicant will be to approve admission or to deny admission.

The achievement levels of students admitted to U.T. Dallas are illustrated by the following statistical profile of the entering freshman class of Fall 2003.

• 72% of students were in the top 25% of their high school graduating class;
• 40% were in the top 10% of their class;
• 50% of students scored between 1130 and 1330 on the SAT I (the 2003 national average SAT I was 1026).

The University of Texas at Dallas 2004-2006 Undergraduate Catalog
Volume 30, Number 1
Copyright © The University of Texas at Dallas

This catalog is a general information publication only. It is not intended to nor does it contain all regulations that relate to students. The provisions of this catalog do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any applicant, student or faculty member and The University of Texas at Dallas or The University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Dallas reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled.

Statement on Equal Educational Opportunity
The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, and veteran status. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.