How To Get Into The University of Tennessee (UT)

Every year, thousands of people submit applications to The University of Tennessee, located in Knoxville, TN.

Because of the high number of applicants, UT has to be selective with its admissions process. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville currently has an acceptance rate of 68% for regular admission. However, this rate is based on past data and will be changing in light of recent decisions by the UT Board of Trustees regarding acceptance for in-state high school graduates.

What Is the Acceptance Rate at UT Knoxville?

In 2023, the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved a new policy for guaranteed acceptance for in-state students, provided they meet certain criteria. Students must be either in the top 10% of their graduating class (of at least 15 graduating students) or have a calculated high school GPA of 4.0.

For students who live in Tennessee, this will alter the overall acceptance rate, especially when it comes to out-of-state applications. For the fall class of 2024, UT had a 23.7% acceptance rate for out-of-state students (including international students).

Another factor that impacts acceptance is early action and early decision applications. Students who apply through these methods will be evaluated in smaller, earlier rounds of admission, which increases the chance of acceptance. The early admissions acceptance rate is about 75.7%.

UT Knoxville Admissions Requirements

Outside of the requirements for guaranteed in-state student acceptance, The University of Tennessee has more general requirements for enrollment.

Some of the general admissions requirements for the University of Tennessee include:

• self-reported academic record
• standardized test scores, either ACT or SAT scores (accepted students have an average ACT Score of 25-31 and 1170-1330 for the SAT)
• applicants must also write one essay from seven prompts
• there is a $50 application fee, but some students qualify to have this fee waived

Many of these requirements are the same for international students, except for an additional requirement of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for some students.

How To Apply at The University of Tennessee

The first-year application process for students looking to enroll at The University of Tennessee will have the best success if they follow these steps:

• Step 1: Filling out an application through the My Vols Portal or Common App (only one of the two is required)
• Step 2: Submit your completed SRAR
• Step 3: Submit official standardized test scores (either ACT or SAT scores) as well as your completed essay. You also might want to include letters of recommendation or a supporting statement.

Make sure you read the UT website to find all of the relevant application deadlines for the semester you're looking to start.

Tips for Applying to The University of Tennessee

The application process at The University of Tennessee isn't as in-depth as some schools, but there are optional requirements you can include in your application.

One of the best ways to improve your application is to include a recommendation letter, these can be academic, professional, or personal. UT evaluates individual students to see who they are and how they will fit in with the rest of the student body.

Another good inclusion to an application is to highlight extracurricular, leadership, or volunteer activities you participated in or awards you earned during your time in high school.

Lastly, make sure to research any major-specific requirements. At the University of Tennessee, multiple academic colleges have different requirements that are specific to their degree programs.

FAQs About Getting into The University of Tennessee

Students thinking of pursuing their higher education at UT have several common questions about undergraduate admissions.

What Is the Cost of Tuition at the University of Tennessee?

The tuition rates at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville have two main rates: in-state and out-of-state (which also includes international students). In-state tuition and fees average around $13,484, while out-of-state rates are $31,974.

These rates are based on full-time, on-campus students before any financial aid has been applied. Students, regardless of residency, should fill out their FAFSA forms to learn more about their financial aid opportunities before applying to school.

What Is the Graduation Rate at the University of Tennessee?

The graduation rate for students at UT over a 6-year period is 73%, meaning that 73% of students pursuing a bachelor's degree graduate in 6 years.

The graduation rate only includes full-time, students pursuing their first degree, so this number isn't wholly representative of all students who graduate from the University of Tennessee.

Does The Univeristy of Tennessee Prefer the SAT or ACT?

The University of Tennessee has no preference regarding standardized test scores. Students can submit either the SAT or ACT scores and won't be penalized for submitting test scores.

When it comes to admissions decisions involving your test scores, it will be more important that you meet the University of Tennessee minimums for whichever test you took.

Can I Get a Refund on My Application Fee?

No, the $50 application fee is non-refundable, regardless of what happens with your acceptance status, or if you choose another school.

However, qualifying students can fill out a form to have their fee waived. This waiver is mainly granted to students from economic backgrounds who could see the $50 application fee as a barrier to entry to school.