Frequently Asked Questions

General Applicant FAQ

My transcript is listed as "under review.” What does this mean? Will I miss the deadline?

We are receiving hundreds of documents per day and review of transcripts can take up to 2-3 weeks. We base the date of the transcript on when it was received and not when it is done being reviewed. So long as there are no issues with the transcript, it will show as complete once it is finished being reviewed and will show as received on the date it arrived.

Do you accept any documents via email?

We are unable to accept any documents via email. Please
review our website for information on how to submit your documents.

Does UT Austin conduct interviews for admissions?

No, UT Austin does not provide interviews for general admission.

Does UT Austin utilize demonstrated interest in the review process?

No, UT Austin does not utilize demonstrated interest in the holistic review process. Anything that you would like to be considered should be submitted with your application.

Do I need to submit a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation are optional. You’ll be considered for admission whether you submit letters of recommendation or not. Note that some freshman honors programs do require a letter of recommendation to complete the honors application.

How do letters of recommendations work?

Letters of recommendation can help us to learn things about you that aren’t available from other application items. If you do submit them, they will be considered when we review your application. But they are optional, and you will be considered for admission whether you submit letters of recommendation or not.

You may submit up to two letters of recommendation with your admission application. They should come from someone who knows you well but is not a family member or relative. We encourage you to provide letters from sources outside of your high school. In your letters or recommendation, we’re looking for information that expands upon or isn’t available in other items you submit, such as your admission application, resume or essays— such things as:

  • Your academic success and potential.
  • Your leadership contributions to your school, family or community.
  • Your persistence in response to challenging situations.
  • Your interaction with students and peers from different cultural backgrounds.
  • Your preparation for your selected first-choice major, both in school and out.

Do I need to submit a resume?

The resume is optional for freshman admission and required for transfer admission. If you are applying as a freshman and you feel that the resume section of your online application did not allow you to provide a full picture of your involvement, you may want to submit a resume. Note that some freshman honors programs do require a resume to complete the honors application.

What format is required for my resume?

We do not have a preferred or recommended resume format or length. We encourage you to choose a format that most easily allows you to share more about your involvement. The length or format of your resume do not have any impact on the review of your application.

What should my resume include?

Your resume should include all of your involvement and achievements, not just those that did not fit within the resume section of your online application. You should include any work experience (paid or volunteer), extracurricular activities, accomplishments and awards. You may also choose to include family responsibilities.

How do I know which documents to submit?

Use the appropriate application checklist on our website. Once you submit your application, you’ll also be able to log in to MyStatus to view the appropriate deadlines for all application materials.

How do I submit additional documents?

If you apply using the Common App, most documents can be submitted along with your application. If you apply using ApplyTexas, most documents can be submitted in MyStatus. Note that we cannot accept documents via email.

Do students have to live on campus at UT Austin?

No, we do not require students to live on campus. However, we highly recommend it!

When can I apply for on campus housing?

You are eligible to apply for on campus housing as soon as your admission application is complete. You can access the housing application in MyStatus.

I am receiving a UT help desk error when I try applying for housing? What should I do?

Please double check that your admissions application is officially complete. To be complete, it means that all items have been officially received (not in review). Once your application is complete, a housing link will appear on the right hand of Mystatus and you will be able to apply.

How do I find non-UT scholarships?

Check out the resources on our scholarship page! You can also contact the Office of Admissions or Texas One Stop for assistance.

Freshman FAQ (Domestic and International)

Am I a freshman?

You can apply for freshman admission if you are:

  • A high school senior.
  • A student who has completed high school and has not yet enrolled at another college or university after graduation.

When is the freshman deadline for summer/fall enrollment?

  • To meet the Early Action application deadline, you need to submit your online application by October 15 and any remaining application materials need to be received by October 23.
  • The regular deadline is December 1. All remaining materials must be received by December 11.

How do I apply for the Early Action deadline?

All students apply to UT Austin for our regular deadline. To meet the Early Action deadline, your application must be submitted by October 15. All remaining documents need to be submitted by October 23.

What is the difference between the Early Action and regular deadline?

Students who meet the Early Action deadline will receive a notification no later than January 15. Regular deadline applicants will receive a notification no later than February 15. The Early Action deadline does not provide an advantage in the review process nor is it binding.

When will I receive my admission decision?

  • If you complete your application by the Early Action deadline (October 15), you will receive an admission notification by January 15, 2025. This notification may be a final admission decision or a decision deferral to February 15, 2025.
  • If you complete your application by the regular deadline (December 1), you will be notified of a decision no later than February 15, 2025.

Some decisions are made and delivered earlier than the published decision dates.

What applications does UT accept?

We encourage freshman and transfer applicants applying for summer or fall admission to apply using the Common App. If you are applying for spring admission you need to submit the ApplyTexas application.

Do I need to submit both applications?

No, only one application should be completed.

Does UT have a preference about which application I submit?

No, please complete the application that works best for you! Your choice will not impact your admission decision.

How should I pick my first-choice major?

We encourage you to choose a first-choice major that is aligned with your interests and strengths, not just what you hope to do as a career. We will consider you for this major during our holistic review.

Remember that your major won’t necessarily determine your career later on, so we recommend reviewing the entire list of options on MyMajors before you decide.

MyMajors

If I don’t get my first-choice major, will I be considered for my second-choice?

You may be considered for your second-choice major if you qualify for automatic admission and are not admitted to your first-choice major.

How do I apply for UT scholarships?

There is no separate scholarship application.

To be considered for scholarships, you should apply for admission and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for US citizens and permanent residents or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) for non-US citizens who are Texas residents. All freshman applicants who do so are considered for aid through the Texas Advance Commitment.

Our Office of Financial Aid also administers some scholarships for applicants with unique qualifications. More information about consideration for these scholarships through our scholarship interest form will be available to applicants in MyStatus in mid-August.

Do I need to submit SAT and/or ACT tests?

For students applying for admission for Fall 2025, you do need to submit a standardized test score (an ACT and/or SAT score) as part of your undergraduate admission application.

How do I submit a test score?

You need to have your official scores sent from the testing agency. Your scores need to be on file by the appropriate deadline to be considered.

  • If applying by the Early Action deadline, your official scores from the testing agency need to be received by October 23.
  • If applying by the regular deadline, your scores need to be received by December 11.

Are there fee waivers?

You may request a fee waiver by indicating your eligibility on your application. A separate fee waiver document or request is not required, but you may be required to submit documentation in support of the request. If you have already submitted your application for admission and did not request a fee waiver, you can submit the Request for Fee Waiver form in MyStatus using the Document Upload System. Note that fee waivers are not available for international applicants.

What happens after I apply?

This past year, we received over 66,000 applications for admission. We conduct an individualized holistic review of each applicant, and this takes some time to complete. We recognize that students would like to receive a decision on their application as soon as possible, and we appreciate your patience. Please know that our timeline is designed to ensure careful consideration of each applicant.

How do I check my application status?

MyStatus will always have the most up to date information for you.

Calculus Readiness (Freshman Applicants) FAQ

What is the Calculus Readiness Requirement?

Students who are applying to majors in the Cockrell School of Engineering, Jackson School of Geosciences, or to the Environmental Science major are required to show calculus readiness by Dec 8. More details found here or on our High School Prerequisites page.

How do I show calculus readiness?

Details on how to meet Calculus Readiness can be found here or on our High School Prerequisites page.

I am currently taking calculus and/or I plan to take an AP/IB calculus test in the spring, does this count?

If you will not receive a final grade for your calculus course or receive an AP/IB score by December 11th, then it will not count for calculus readiness purposes.

I took a Calculus I course and made a B or higher prior to senior year, but the requirement is still listed as incomplete on my checklist.

It is likely your transcript is still in review (indicated by a grey checkmark). Once our team reviews your transcript and sees the course, they will mark you as Calculus Ready.

I self-reported my test scores on my application. Will that be enough?

Test scores must be sent from the testing agency.

I met the Early Action deadline but have not fulfilled calculus readiness yet. If I send my scores now, will I no longer meet the Early Action deadline?

You will still meet the Early Action deadline as long as you fulfill your calculus readiness by Dec 11.

Academic Coursework Form (Freshman Applicant) FAQ

Do I need to submit the Academic Coursework Form?

Some students are required to complete the Academic Coursework Form. MyStatus will indicate if this is required. If it is not listed, then you are not required to submit.

Do I include courses that count for high school credit that I took in middle school?

No, do not include any courses taken prior to ninth grade.

Do I include courses that I am currently taking in 12th grade?

No, do not include any courses that are in progress.

Do I include all courses on my transcript?

Only include completed classes within the five principal subject areas (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Other Than English). You are not required to enter “Other” coursework.

I took a summer class during high school. Which grade level should I categorize this as on the entry form?

If you took summer courses, you can enter them with the grade level before or after they were taken.

What if I took all of the courses for one subject area in middle school? Do I still report them?

No, please do not include middle school coursework. If courses in a subject area were completed prior to high school and you have no high school courses in that subject area to report, you may check “No courses to report.”

Applying for Freshman Honors Programs FAQ

I want to apply to an honors program, but it’s not showing up for me because of my major choices. How can I update my majors?

If you want to change your first- and/or second-choice major(s) so that you can apply to an honors program, email us at usprocessing3@austin.utexas.edu. Include your full name, UT EID and updated first- and/or second-choice majors. If your request is approved, you will gain access to the honors application within three to five business days.

If I apply for honors and am not admitted, can I still be admitted to UT?

Yes, it is possible to be admitted to UT but not to the honors program that you have applied to. Our office makes admissions decisions separately from honors programs.

Transfer FAQ (Domestic and International)

Am I a transfer student?

You are considered a transfer student if:

  • You have already started your post-secondary studies at another college or university after graduating from high school or earning a GED.
  • You have or will have earned 24 semester hours of required transferable coursework at another college or university. The option to use coursework in progress is not available for spring semester applicants.
  • You have graduated from another institution and want to take additional undergraduate coursework.

Are transfer students able to apply for the Early Action deadline?

There is not an Early Action deadline for transfer admission.

When will I receive my admission decision?

  • For summer/fall enrollment, you will receive an admission notification by mid/late-June.
  • For spring enrollment, you will receive a decision by mid December.

Some decisions are made and delivered earlier than the published decision dates.

What applications does UT accept?

  • If you are applying for transfer admission to summer or fall, you have two options when it comes to submitting your application: ApplyTexas or the Common App.
  • If you are applying for spring admission, you should submit the ApplyTexas application.

Do I need to submit both applications?

No, only one application should be completed.

Does UT have a preference about which application I submit?

No, please complete the application that works best for you! Your choice will not impact your admission decision.

Are there any prerequisites for transfer applicants?

Prerequisites and requirements vary by college, school and major. Review the additional application requirements for transfer admission on our Colleges and Degrees page.

Colleges and Degrees 

How do I apply for UT scholarships?

Continuing students, transfer students who have completed the admissions application, and former students applying for readmission may apply for scholarships by completing the Continuing and Transfer Scholarship Application.

The application is available starting in November each year and is used to award scholarships for the following academic year. Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) transfers should wait until after Dec. 1 to submit the application. 

The deadline to submit the Continuing & Transfer Scholarship Application is March 15 at midnight CDT.

Continuing & Transfer Scholarships Application

Do I need to submit SAT and/or ACT tests?

No. SAT and/or ACT scores are not required nor reviewed in the transfer admissions process.

Are there fee waivers?

You may request a fee waiver by indicating your eligibility on your application. A separate fee waiver document or request is not required, but you may be required to submit documentation in support of your request. If you have already submitted your application for admission and did not request a fee waiver, you can submit the Request for Fee Waiver form within MyStatus using the Document Upload System. Note that international students are not eligible for fee waivers.

How do I check my application status?

MyStatus will always have the most up to date information for you.

International FAQ

Am I an international student?

You are considered an international student if:

  • You are neither a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and
  • You did not graduate from a Texas high school.

What applications does UT accept?

For international students, UT accepts the Common App and ApplyTexas applications.

What is the application fee?

The application fee is $90 for international students.

Are there any fee waivers?

There are no fee waivers for international students.

I can’t pay my fee online. Is there a mail option?

If you are an international applicant and are not able to pay your fee online using a credit card, you may mail your payment in the form of a cashier’s check, bank money order or bank draft in U.S. dollars to:

The University of Texas at Austin
Graduate and International Admissions Center
P.O. Box 7608
Austin, TX 78713-7608

Make checks payable to The University of Texas at Austin, and write your six-digit Application ID number, UT EID or UT Assigned Student ID number on your check or money order. Do not send cash or personal checks.

Do I have to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores?

You must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam scores unless you graduated from a high school in the United States or in a country where English is the only official language after completing at least three years of study. You are also exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS exam results if you are from the following qualifying countries:

  • American Samoa
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Dominica
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Grand Cayman
  • Guyana
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Singapore
  • Trinidad/Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • United Kingdom
  • U.S. Pacific Trust

Additionally, permanent residents are exempt from this requirement if they:

  • Earned three years of U.S. high school English credit, excluding ESL courses; or
  • Resided in the United States for 10 or more years; or
  • Earned a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. institution of higher education; or
  • Attended a U.S. institution of higher education immediately prior to enrollment at the university; or
  • Graduated from a U.S. high school.

The requirement will not be waived for the completion of English Compositions courses.

Which test is preferred, TOEFL or IELTS?

The TOEFL iBT is preferred over the IELTS. We cannot accept institutional TOEFL (ITP) scores or IELTS General Training scores.

What are the minimum scores acceptable for admission?

Minimum scores acceptable for admission are:

  • TOEFL: 79 (internet-based test)
  • IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination

What are the university codes for the TOEFL and IELTS?

UT Austin’s TOEFL code is 6882. There is no institutional code for the IELTS examination. To fulfill the requirement with scores from the IELTS, please use the IELTS electronic score delivery service to send your scores to the “University of Texas at Austin” account.

Do you accept Duolingo or will my SAT English scores substitute for IELTS or TOEFL?

No, we only accept IELTS or TOEFL.

What grades does my high school transcript need to include?

If you are an international applicant, you must submit documentation showing that you have completed an accredited secondary school series equivalent to that of a U.S. high school. Submit an official record or transcript (mark sheet) that shows all your secondary school work and grades (or marks) starting with ninth grade and continuing through the end of 12th grade. You should also include copies of your official final examinations taken at the end of the secondary school program, including external exams such as the General Certificate of Education “O” and “A” Level Examinations, school leaving certificates and matriculation exams.

What if my transcripts are not written in English?

If the documents you are submitting are written in a language other than English, you must also submit complete and official English translations together with the original-language records.

How do I submit my transcript?

You can view how to submit your transcripts on our Transcript Info page. Please note, transcripts are not accepted via email.

Texas Residency FAQ

Who is a Texas resident?

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board establishes the rules that govern Texas residency for higher education in Texas.

How does UT Austin determine Texas residency?

When you apply for admission, the university uses information you provide on the admissions application to make an initial determination about residency. If the submitted information indicates you aren’t a U.S. citizen or permanent resident but that you may qualify for residency based on Texas high school graduation, you will be prompted by the application to download and submit the Residency Affidavit. It must be completed, signed, notarized and submitted to the university.

What options do I have to establish Texas residency?

You have two options to establish Texas residency:

  1. Graduation from a Texas high school
  2. Establishing your domicile in Texas

How do I establish residency through high school graduation?

Requirements

To establish residency through high school graduation, you must:

  1. Graduate from a Texas high school or receive a GED in Texas; and
  2. Live in Texas for the 36 months immediately before high school graduation; an
  3. Live in Texas for the 12 months immediately before the census date (usually the 12th class day) of the semester in which you enroll at the university (or another college or university).

If you are an international student seeking residency through high school graduation, you must submit a Residency Affidavit (PDF) stating that you will apply for permanent residency when you are eligible to do so.

How do I establish residency through domicile?

This option is available to students who are:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. (Non-citizens and non-permanent residents may also use this option if they have an application for permanent residency on file with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.)
  • International students who possess an eligible visa.

If you are independent for tax purposes, you may gain resident status if you establish domicile in the state. If your parent(s) claim you as a dependent on their federal income tax return, they must establish domicile in the state for you to claim residency.

To establish domicile, you or your parent(s) must meet the following criteria:

  1. Live in Texas for 12 consecutive months; and
  2. Establish and maintain domicile for 12 consecutive months, as evidenced by:
  • Gainful employment in Texas;
    Note: Student jobs do not qualify as gainful employment.
  • Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas by the person seeking to enroll or the dependent’s parent, having established and maintained a domicile at the residence;
  • Ownership and operation of a business in Texas; or
  • Marriage for one year to a person who has established domicile in Texas.

What if I am incorrectly classified?

Sometimes students submit incorrect information or information that makes it appear as though they are non-residents when they actually do qualify for Texas residency. In other cases, students initially ineligible for residency later become eligible.

If you believe you are incorrectly classified, take steps to correct the inaccuracy by submitting the Residency Core Questions.

How do I appeal my Texas residency classification?

If you’ve submitted the Residency Core Questions and have been classified as a non-Texas resident after review of the form, you have the option to appeal your residency determination. You must do so before the 12th class day of the semester.

To appeal, email the Residency Appeals Committee at residency@austin.utexas.edu stating why you should be considered a Texas resident. Be sure to provide any additional information you can offer in support of your case. The committee will review the information you submit and make a determination. The decision of the Residency Appeals Committee is final.