Admission to the University

As the state’s largest and most comprehensive university, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks to provide high-quality educational programs for all students who have the academic ability and motivation to pursue and profit from a baccalaureate education. Similar opportunities are available at the graduate level. While the majority of students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, are residents of the State of Tennessee, the university welcomes qualified students from other states and from other countries. Students from a variety of cultures add richness and diversity to the total educational experience for all.

Undergraduate Admission

http://www.admissions.utk.edu

Admissions decisions for degree-seeking students are based upon several factors, most important of which are the applicant’s grades in high school and college courses and the applicant’s scores on the ACT or SAT exams. Anyone interested in attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as an undergraduate student is encouraged to visit the website of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for information and application forms.

The application for undergraduate admission is available on the web at www.apply.utk.edu and should be submitted electronically. A copy of the application form is available on request by e-mail (admissions@ utk.edu), at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in Knoxville, or by written request. Official copies are required for all transcripts and test scores and these must be sent directly from schools or testing agencies to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Official test reports that are part of a high school transcript are accepted. For additional information, please contact the following offices.

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
320 Student Services Building
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN 37996-0230
Knoxville – main office
E-mail admissions@utk.edu
Phone (865) 974-2184
Memphis – branch office
E-mail admit2utk@utk.edu
Phone (901) 448-8289

Freshman Admission

The University of Tennessee calculates a core GPA based upon a four-point grading scale in high school courses in fourteen areas. 

Courses in the list above that were taken as Honors or Dual Enrollment are given an additional half-quality point, and courses that were taken as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate are given an additional quality point in the calculation of the core GPA. The core GPA is used for determining eligibility for admission, scholarships, and participation in the Chancellor’s Honors Program.

UT Knoxville accepts either the ACT or SAT (CR + M) examination and does not require the ACT or SAT essay.

Freshman Admission (Effective 2012)

The University of Tennessee calculates a core GPA based upon a four-point grading scale in high school courses in sixteen areas:

Courses in the list above that were taken as Honors or Dual Enrollment are given an additional half-quality point, and courses that were taken as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate are given an additional quality point in the calculation of the core GPA. The core GPA is used for determining eligibility for admission, scholarships, and participation in the Chancellor’s Honors Program.

UT Knoxville accepts either the ACT or SAT (CR + M) examination and does not require the ACT or SAT essay.

Dual Enrollment Students

A high school visiting student or dual enrollment student is currently enrolled in high school and seeks to enroll part-time at UT Knoxville, based on his/her academic ability and educational need. High school visiting and dual enrollment students should have a minimum 3.0 high school grade point average. Applications are subject to review, and admission is not guaranteed.

• A student who is a Tennessee resident will complete the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant (TDEG) form instead of the Application for Admission. The TDEG form is available from the guidance office at the student’s high school or at the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) website: www.collegepaystn.com/mon_college/dual_enroll_grant_rules.htm. The completed TDEG application must be submitted to the attention of Norma Harrington, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 320 Student Services Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0230. For questions or information, please contact Norma Harrington at (865) 974-2184.
• A student who is not a Tennessee resident must submit the Application for Admission along with the application fee, official transcript, SAT/ACT scores, and written permission by his/her parents and the school principal or counselor.

Transfer Admission

Students Applying for Transfer Prior to Degree Completion

The University of Tennessee has a competitive admission process for transfer students. The admission decision for transfer students with fewer than 30 earned transferable college-level hours will be based on their high school GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and a minimum required college GPA of 2.50. At the time of application, a transfer applicant must have completed at least 15 credit hours of transferable college work.

The admission decision for transfer students with at least 30 earned transferable college-level hours will be based largely on students’ academic performance at their previous institution(s). In order to be considered for admission to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a transfer applicant must have a minimum of a 2.00 grade point average (on a 4-point scale) in college credit courses eligible for transfer credit. Academic colleges or departments may require greater than a 2.00 for acceptance into certain programs. Transfer grade averages are calculated by UT and frequently differ from averages calculated by other institutions. Only those courses in which at least a grade of C was earned will be eligible for transfer credit. Grades earned at other colleges and universities are used only for admission, course placement, and other academic decisions. Beginning with the entering class of Fall 2009, the transfer admissibility GPA will be calculated using all grades attempted, including repeated coursework, in college level or nonremedial courses.

Prior to graduating from UT Knoxville, transfer students must have completed their last 30 semester hours of credit at UT Knoxville and their last 60 semester hours of credit at a four-year college or university.

Students Applying for Transfer with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree from Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Community Colleges

Transfer applicants with a 2.0 college GPA (on a 4-point scale) in college-level, transferable courses who complete the Associate of Arts (AA) or the Associate of Science (AS) degree from the TBR community college system will be admissible to the university. Academic colleges or departments may require greater than a 2.00 for acceptance into certain programs. Transfer grade averages are calculated by UT and frequently differ from averages calculated by other institutions. Beginning with the entering class of Fall 2009, the transfer admissibility GPA will be calculated using all grades attempted, including repeated coursework, in college level or nonremedial courses.

AA and AS graduates will have fulfilled the general education requirement established by the faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Transfer of general education courses from the TBR community colleges is guaranteed through the following guidelines:

• Upon completion of the AA or AS degree, the requirements of general education will be complete and accepted by the University of Tennessee in the transfer process without loss of credit.

• Upon completion of the AA or AS degree, transfer credit for D’s or higher will be granted as part of the transfer process.

If an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree is not obtained, transfer of general education courses will be based on a course-by-course evaluation. Students should be aware that many UT majors require completion of an intermediate level sequence of a foreign language, and some majors require more advanced math and science requirements than required by TBR community college majors. Following one of the published University of Tennessee articulation agreements is the best path to enter the University of Tennessee with junior standing in a transfer student’s chosen UT major.

Transfer students should review the detailed transfer information on major/degree requirements for their prospective UT major. The following link contains information to assist transfer students in determining these requirements: http://registrar.tennessee.edu/transfer/agreements.shtml

Grades earned at other colleges and universities are used only for admission, course placement, and other academic decisions. Prior to graduating from UT Knoxville, transfer students must have completed their last 30 semester hours of credit at UT Knoxville and their last 60 semester hours of credit at a four-year college or university.

Visiting Student Applicants

A visiting student is one who is actively enrolled in a program at another accredited college or university but who desires to enroll temporarily at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Applicants are required to complete the application for undergraduate admission, pay the application fee, and submit to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions a letter of good standing or a transcript showing good academic standing from their college or university.

Advanced Placement – International Baccalaureate – CLEP – Dual Enrollment Credits

Freshmen or transfer students admitted to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, may receive course credit on the basis of performance on Advanced Placement Examinations (AP), International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB), and College Level Examination Program tests (CLEP). Information is available at http://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate/apply/apcredit.shtml.

See the section on “Academic Policies and Procedures ” of this catalog for additional information.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements are programs developed between nearby two-year colleges and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. While at the two-year college, students take a specified curriculum that leads to the associate degree and also prepares students for the corresponding baccalaureate degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Currently, UT Knoxville has articulation agreements with six Tennessee community colleges. Details on specific majors and requirements are available from the Office of the University Registrar website (http://registrar.tennessee.edu/) or from the specified community college.

If unable to follow an articulation agreement, transfer students should review the detailed transfer information on major/degree requirements for their prospective UT major. The following link contains information to assist transfer students in determining these requirements: http://registrar.tennessee.edu/transfer/agreements.shtml

Residency Classification for the Purpose of Paying University Fees and for Admission Purposes

Initial residency classification is determined by admissions staff from information included on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Application for Admission. Notice of classification is sent at the time the applicant is notified of admission. Students who would like their residency classification reconsidered may submit an appeal to the residency classifier listed at http://registrar.tennessee.edu/. The application for reclassification with supporting documentation must be filed no later than the last day of registration in order to have the reclassification effective for the semester. Classification will be determined and the applicant will be notified by mail. Additional information regarding the State of Tennessee regulations for classification may be found at the Office of the University Registrar website http://registrar.tennessee.edu/.

Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market is an agreement among states for sharing unique programs. Participating states can make arrangements for their residents who are fully admitted to specific programs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to enroll on an in-state tuition basis if these programs are not available in the state of residence.

Cooperating states, at the undergraduate level, in the Academic Common Market are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs at UT Knoxville are approved by the Academic Common Market for residents of these states to enroll at in-state tuition rates.

For additional information, visit the Southern Regional Educational Board at http://www.sreb.org or contact Norma Harrington, Office of Undergraduate Admissions (865) 974-2184.

Re-Entry Student Applicants

A re-entry student is one who has not been enrolled in high school or college for three years or more prior to making application for admission to UT Knoxville. Re-entry applicants must complete and submit the application for undergraduate admission, the application fee, and the re-entry essay. If a student has been enrolled at UT Knoxville as a degree-seeking student at any time, that person is considered to be a Readmission Student.

Readmission to the University

A student who previously attended UT Knoxville as a non-degree seeking student and wishes to re-enter as a degree-seeking student must complete an application for undergraduate admission. A student who has attended another college or university since attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, must have an official transcript sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

For specific deadline dates, students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or visit http://admissions.utk.edu/undergraduate/apply/deadlines.shtml.

Readmission after Academic Dismissal

Students who have been academically dismissed from UT Knoxville must apply for readmission by June 1 for fall, November 1 for spring, and April 1 for summer. Submitting an application does not guarantee admission.

• First Academic Dismissal
  A student dismissed for the first time may not be readmitted until after a full semester (not including summer) has elapsed.

• Second Academic Dismissal
  A student dismissed for the second time may be readmitted after one calendar year has elapsed and after completing a minimum of 12 semester credits of academic course work with at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average from accredited institution(s) of higher education. Students who have been dismissed twice are required to meet with the Undergraduate Council Appeals Committee. Students may be readmitted only when they present evidence that they are capable of performing at the level required to meet university academic standards and completing all degree requirements within a reasonable length of time.

• Third Academic Dismissal
  After a third dismissal, a student is ineligible to attend the university and may not apply for readmission.

Students who have been dismissed and are readmitted will be required to participate in a special program that emphasizes academic success skills and strategies.

Students who have been academically dismissed and who are readmitted will be dismissed again if they fail to earn a 2.0 minimum term GPA at the end of the first semester after readmission and every term thereafter until the cumulative GPA reaches a 2.0

Senior and Disabled Applicants

Persons 60 years or older or totally disabled persons who are residents of Tennessee may audit a course without payment of fees if space is available in the individual class. Persons 65 years or older or totally disabled persons who are residents of Tennessee may enroll in courses for credit at reduced fees. Interested persons should contact the Office of the University Registrar for additional information.

International Student Applicants

All foreign nationals on non-immigrant visas are classified as international students whether they are applying to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as freshmen or transfer students. In addition to the information below, additional information for international students is available from the Office of Graduate and International Admissions or from the Center for International Education. To apply for admission as an undergraduate student, each international student is required to provide the following.

1. A completed application for undergraduate admission and application fee.

2. Authenticated copies of all secondary and post-secondary academic records. These records should describe courses of instruction in terms of years spent in school, types of subject matter covered, and grades earned in each subject. These records must be provided in the original language as well as English.

3. Evidence of English proficiency according to the following requirements for those whose first language is not English.

   1. All undergraduate applicants regardless of citizenship whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in one of the following ways. (1) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam – minimum score of 193 (computer-based), 523 (paper-based), or 70 on the iBT TOEFL (internet-based); or (2) a minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam; or (3) a minimum score of 21 on the English portion of the ACT or a score of 510 on the critical reading portion of the SAT; or (4) college credit or AP credit received for English Composition 101 and 102 or the equivalent; or (5) completion of the University of Tennessee English language Institute’s (ELI) core intensive curriculum with recommendation from the ELI faculty. A final admission decision will not be made until test results are received by the office of Graduate and International Admissions from the appropriate testing agency.
   2. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, English Placement Test must be taken prior to registration. This test will determine whether the student needs to take more English courses and, if so, at what level. The English Placement Test grants no credit. Students assigned to special English courses must enroll the first semester of attendance, stay continuously enrolled in the assigned courses until the completion of all requirements, within the first year of continued enrollment at UT Knoxville.
   3. An undergraduate student whose first language is not English is exempted from taking the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, English Placement Test and from presenting a TOEFL or IELTS score provided that the student has satisfied all requirements for freshman composition with a grade of C or better at an accredited college or university in the United States. Freshmen English for Foreign Students does not exempt a student from presenting an acceptable TOEFL score.

4. International students must enroll in the health and accident insurance plan provided by UT Knoxville.

5. For international students, completed application forms and the application fee must be received in the Office of Graduate and International Admissions no later than the following dates: February 1 for fall semester; July 1 for spring semester; and December 1 for summer term.

Fees for Sponsored International Students

An administrative management fee will be charged to sponsoring agencies of international students whose programs require special administrative or management services beyond those normally provided. Fees are $250 per semester and $100 per summer session.