Freshman
If you are a high school senior or a student who has completed high school and has not yet enrolled at another college or university after graduation, you should apply for freshman admission. Domestic freshman are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or students who are graduating from a Texas high school.
If you are an international freshman, visit our International Freshman page.
Online Application
We recommend using the Common App to apply, but you can also apply using the Apply Texas application.
Key Freshman Admission Dates
Summer/Fall Enrollment
- Application OpensAugust 1
- Priority Deadline to ApplyNovember 1
- Regular Deadline to ApplyDecember 1
- Priority Decisions ReleasedFebruary 1
- All Decisions ReleasedMarch 1
Spring Enrollment
- Deadline to ApplySeptember 1
- Decisions ReleasedDecember 1
Application Requirements
Required for ALL freshman applicants who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or who are graduating from a Texas high school.
Application
We recommend using the Common App to apply, but you can also apply using the Apply Texas application.
Application Fee
Pay the non-refundable application fee of $75 when you submit your application. You can request a fee waiver. Requests can be made in the application, or by submitting the Request for Fee Waiver form via our Document Upload System in MyStatus.
Essay and Short Answers
Applicants must submit at least one essay and the required short answer prompts. The essay topic, requirements and prompts can be found on our website and in the applications.
High School Transcripts, Class Rank and College Transcripts
Transcripts should list all of your high school coursework (from 9th – 11th grade) as well as your class rank. If your high school does not rank students, include a statement from your school describing its policy, a copy of your school’s profile and a GPA or grade distribution report. If you have earned any college credit (including dual credit) while in high school, request that the college or university send official transcripts to UT Austin.
High School Prerequisites
You must complete or be on track to complete certain high school coursework to be competitive for admission.
Review Optional and Additional Materials
Certain majors may require additional materials after you have submitted your application. You may also wish to submit additional materials to strengthen your application, such as letters of recommendation or an expanded resume.
Additional Materials
The following materials may be required. These items must be received by the appropriate deadline.
Major-Specific Items
Certain majors may require specific items in addition to your application. Please be sure to review any additional items required by your first and second choice majors by visiting their college or school website.
Student Information Form
If applicable, tell us about your high-school coursework. MyStatus will prompt those who are required to complete the form.
Coursework Exemption Form
This form is used to determine qualification for automatic enrollment. Applicable students are:
- Those who attended a Texas private school and do not satisfy test score requirements.
- Those who attended a Department of Defense High School and are not exempt based on test scores.
Residency Affidavit
If you aren’t a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident but graduated or will graduate from a Texas high school, you may qualify for residency for tuition purposes. Students who may qualify will be prompted to download the residency affidavit within their application or MyStatus. Email the completed, notarized residency affidavit to residency@austin.utexas.edu.
Residency Affidavit
Optional Materials
The optional items below are NOT required for admission consideration. However, you may include them as part of your application for admission if submitted by the appropriate deadline.
Expanded Resume
You may submit an expanded resume offering additional information about your achievements, activities, leadership positions and student employment. Submit your resume in MyStatus using the Document Upload System after you have submitted your application. You can also submit your expanded resume in the Common App.
If you submit a resume, you should include:
- Details about what each activity involved rather than a general description.
- The number of hours per week and weeks per year you spent on each activity.
Letters of Recommendation
You can submit up to two letters of recommendation with your application or after you’ve submitted your application. These letters may be from teachers, mentors or people who know you well, either within or outside of your high school. The letter should be able to give additional context or information to support your admission that is not already provided in your application or other submitted documents (resume, transcripts).
Submitting Your Recommendations
We do not accept recommendations via email. Submit your recommendations via:
- The Common App
- MyStatus using the Document Upload System
- Parchment or Scoir
SAT/ACT Scores
SAT and ACT official test scores must be submitted by the appropriate deadline to be considered.
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Submitting Scores
Your application will ask if you would like your scores to be considered. If yes, submit at least one set of scores directly from the testing agency. (We do not require the SAT Essay or ACT Writing scores). Scores are only accepted directly from the testing agencies. We do not accept scores in transcripts or copies of score reports. Testing agencies should send your scores using the codes designated for UT Austin:
SAT — 6882
ACT — 4240
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SAT Subject Tests
You are not required to submit SAT Subject Test scores.
Next Steps
Once you’ve submitted your application, you can track the status and submit additional documents in MyStatus. Be sure to regularly monitor MyStatus until your application is listed as complete and submit any to-do items prior to the deadlines.
Check MyStatus
MyStatus is available 24-48 hours after submitting your application. You may be asked for additional information. Check MyStatus to stay up to date.
Complete the FAFSA/TASFA
Completing the FAFSA/TASFA before March 15 will maximize your eligibility for financial aid awards.
Complete Your Housing Application
You can apply for housing before you receive an admission decision. Housing is offered on a first come, first served basis. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
Check Your Email
We’ll alert you about your admission decision, financial aid awards, housing contract and other important details via email. Be sure to check your email regularly.