Admission Requirements
The University of Arkansas considers applications based on several factors, including high school GPA, official transcript and, in some cases, test scores and additional academic materials. Depending on your high school GPA, you may be eligible for test-optional admission.
Applicants from states outside Arkansas should meet general admission requirements and may be required to meet higher standards, depending on demand and enrollment capacity.
The University of Arkansas continues to require test scores for most scholarship opportunities, and the state of Arkansas requires ACT or SAT scores for Arkansas students applying for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship.
For placement and enrollment purposes, all admitted students are encouraged to provide ACT, SAT, or Next Generation Accuplacer scores to the Office of Admission no later than January 1, 2024, for the spring semester and May 1, 2024, for the fall semester. Scores from state-administered exams, such as the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2), will not be accepted for placement and enrollment.
Holistic Review and Other Admission Considerations
The Office of Admissions strives to admit academically-prepared, curious, and creative freshmen with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and personal goals. At the same time, the University works to ensure the enrollment capacity of campus resources (courses, advisors, programs, etc.) and infrastructure (residence halls and classrooms) can support our student body effectively. This may mean limiting the size of the freshman class.
More than any single factor, a student’s academic preparation (high school GPA, upward performance trajectory, course rigor) is the best predictor in determining their ability to succeed as a student at the University of Arkansas. With this in mind, your academic record is a significant factor in our holistic review process, where we may also consider grade trends or grade improvement over time. In addition to high school GPA, the review committee may also consider other academic and non-academic factors during the evaluation process.
High School GPA and Test Scores
The Office of Admissions evaluates applicants' GPAs using a 4.00 scale that only weights AP, IB, and clearly indicated concurrent/dual enrollment courses with one extra grade point. GPAs from schools that include additional weight, weighted honors, or weighted pre-AP courses may be recalculated. In some cases, applicants should submit ACT or SAT scores as indicated below. Exceptions may be made for applicants who have extenuating circumstances, special talents, or are interested in programs with space available. Out-of-state applicants may be required to meet higher standards and provide additional academic materials for review, depending on demand and enrollment capacity.
Regardless of admissions status, applicants must submit ACT or SAT test scores by February 1, 2024, to be considered for most merit-based scholarships and fellowships. The state of Arkansas requires ACT or SAT scores for Arkansas students applying for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship.
Application Pathways
The U of A offers a number of application pathways, including test-optional and traditional/test-required. Your high school GPA determines your application pathway.
Test Optional
Applicants with a 3.20 high school GPA or higher (on a standard 4.00 scale) will be reviewed for admission to the university without a qualifying test score but must submit ACT, SAT, or Next Generation Accuplacer scores by May 1, 2024, for placement and enrollment purposes and to meet state reporting requirements. Scores from the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) will not be accepted for placement and enrollment.
Test Required
Applicants with less than a 3.20 high school GPA should submit ACT, SAT, or Next Generation Accuplacer scores at the time of application. Test scores are also required for home schooled applicants and for applicants attending high schools that provide narrative transcripts.
Admission Decisions
Applicants who complete the application process, including submission of the application for admission, high school transcript, test scores (if required), application fee (or waiver documentation), and any other requested information, will receive one of the following admission decisions:
- Fully admitted to the University of Arkansas.
- Admitted to the Transitions Academic Program (TAP). TAP students enroll as non-degree seeking students at the University of Arkansas, enroll as degree-seeking students at Northwest Arkansas Community College, and take classes on both campuses while living on the U of A campus.
- Deferred. The U of A may defer a final admissions decision for some applicants in order to continue reviewing applications and any additional materials. Deferred applicants should provide updated transcripts and test scores as they become available. On or about February 1, deferred applicants will receive an admission decision of fully admitted, waitlisted, or denied admission.
- Waitlisted. Depending on enrollment capacity, the U of A will place some applicants on a waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will be admitted as space becomes available, with preference given to early applicants with the most academically prepared applicants. See our Waitlist FAQs for more information.
- Denied admission. Students denied admission are encouraged to reapply after improving their academic records by successfully completing college-level coursework at a community college. Denied students may also appeal their admissions decision and submit additional materials, such as updated transcripts or new test scores.