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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 freshmen 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.

Common App

Key Freshman Admission Dates

Summer/Fall Enrollment

  • Application Opens
    August 1
  • Early Action Deadline to Apply
    October 15
  • Regular Deadline to Apply
    December 1
  • Early Action Decisions Released
    January 15
  • All Decisions Released
    February 15

Spring Enrollment

  • Deadline to Apply
    September 1
  • Decisions Released
    December 1

Application Requirements

Required for ALL freshman applicants who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or who are graduating from a Texas high school.

  1. Application

    We recommend using the Common App to apply, but you can also apply using the Apply Texas application.

    Common App

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

    Essays and Short Answers

  4. SAT/ACT Scores

    SAT and ACT official test scores must be submitted by the appropriate deadline to be considered. 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. You are not required to submit SAT Subject Test scores.

    Testing agencies should send your scores using the codes designated for UT Austin:

    SAT — 6882

    ACT — 4240

    * SAT/ACT Scores remain optional for students applying for Spring 2025. SAT/ACT Scores are required for students applying to Summer/Fall 2025 and beyond.

  5. 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.

    Transcript Info

  6. High School Prerequisites

    You must complete or be on track to complete certain high school coursework to be competitive for admission.

    High School Prerequisites 

  7. 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.

Colleges & Degrees

Student Information Form

If applicable, tell us about your high-school coursework. MyStatus will prompt those who are required to complete the form.

Texas Private High School Certification 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.

Learn More

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

Residency FAQs

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 mentors or people who know you well, and can include teachers, although we encourage you to provide letters from sources outside 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 (accessible only by students after application submission)
  • Parchment, Naviance/Edocs or Scoir
  • By mail

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.

  1. 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.

    MyStatus

  2. Complete the FAFSA/TASFA

    Completing the FAFSA/TASFA before March 15 will maximize your eligibility for financial aid awards.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.