Frequently Asked Questions

The University of Arkansas will offer test-optional admission, as well as other application pathways.  However, please keep the following requirements in mind: 

• You will need to submit ACT or DAT scores by February 1 to be considered for most merit-based scholarships and fellowships.
• You must have ACT, SAT, Next Generation Accuplacer, or Classic Learning Test on file by May 1 for placement and enrollment purposes during orientation and to comply with state requirements.
• For full details about admission without test scores visit Admission Requirements.

Located in Fayetteville — one of the nation's best places to live — the University of Arkansas is a destination for students interested in business, engineering, architecture, art, education, and the humanities. Our students have access to internships with some of the world's most famous companies. They participate in one-on-one research with renowned faculty and study abroad in more than 56 countries. They learn in small classes, led by professors passionate about the subjects they teach. Best of all, our students have the academic support and career guidance needed to prepare for success after graduation.

Freshmen are required to live on campus their first year, unless you live within 70 miles of U of A; then you are able to live at home with a parent or legal guardian.

There are many diverse, on-campus housing options where roommates become lifelong friends and fun activities are just steps away. The university offers Living Learning Communities where students are grouped based on major or interest and can participate in additional programming throughout the year.

Regardless of where you live, you can expect the support of a professional staff dedicated to providing an on-campus experience that will promote academic excellence and personal growth. Please visit our housing website for more information.

The university is committed to assisting you in finding the means to earn an education here, whether through one of our many scholarship programs or by a combination of loans, grants, and/or work-study opportunities. Learn more from the Office of Financial Aid.

Our academic scholarships are awarded between February and April to accepted students with the best grades, strongest coursework, most competitive standardized test scores, and strongest indications of leadership potential and community involvement.

Our counselors are always available to work with students and their families to come up with a plan for financing their U of A education. We encourage you to come and talk with us if you ever feel that finances will get in the way of enrolling in classes or continuing your education.

When approached wisely, working while in school can be a wonderful opportunity. We recommend that you first seek part-time employment on campus. If you are on financial aid, "work-study" may be a part of your aid package. The Financial Aid Office (in Silas Hunt Hall) has a list of jobs available for these funds.

You may also work on campus as a regular part-time employee. In both areas, the range of jobs are huge — from library work to answering telephones to assisting faculty in their labs. To learn about some of these opportunities, call our campus employment hotline at (479) 575-5627 (JOBS) or view the listings online.

Fayetteville and the surrounding Northwest Arkansas region provide excellent employment opportunities as well.

When you arrive for new student orientation, you will meet with an academic advisor and register for classes.

Once you begin your freshman year, you will be able to register in advance before leaving for break each semester. You will also have another chance to register for classes before each new semester begins. The process is managed through the university's student information system at UAConnect.uark.edu.

College advisors are able to connect students with a variety of academic support resources for student success. Libraries, computer labs, mentoring by upperclassmen, the Student Success Center, and more are available to help all students through the academic challenges they may encounter.

Instructors have office hours and are available to meet with you about any concerns or questions regarding course material.

The professional staff at Pat Walker Health Center can take care of almost any medical issue from X-rays to counseling. Primary care physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, and counselors are on hand to address both routine and emergency medical and mental health issues. Each medical clinic can bill with most major insurance providers. Guidance about billing and insurance is available on the Pat Walker Health Center website.

For convenient access to prescriptions, there is a pharmacy in the Walmart on Campus location across the street on Garland Avenue.

A higher education is an important and sometimes costly investment. A breakdown of tuition and fees is available through the Office of Financial Aid. We encourage students and their families to use our online Tuition and Fees Estimator to get an idea of the cost associated with attending the U of A.

The Razorback Transit System is a great way to get around campus and explore the surrounding town of Fayetteville. It serves the entire campus while also providing access to and from residential neighborhoods, supermarkets, local banks, the Fayetteville Square, Walmart, and the mall, all free of charge.

Students are allowed to bring their cars to the U of A. This is convenient for students who wish to go home for the weekend or explore the local area. Students wishing to park a car on campus must purchase a parking permit from Parking and Transit or pay hourly at some locations.

Transitioning to a large campus can be an exciting and, at times, overwhelming venture. We encourage you to get involved in the campus community by attending sporting events, theatre performances, concerts, films, art exhibitions, and much more. The university offers hundreds of Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) based on interests ranging from rock climbing to living optimistically, or you can join Associated Student Government (ASG) to help develop initiatives that benefit all students. To stay active, explore our many club and intramural sports. At the U of A, there is no shortage of opportunities to connect with other students outside of the classroom.

The University of Arkansas was recently elevated to the highest possible classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a status held by only a select number of the top universities in the nation. The hard work and innovative research of our internationally recognized faculty help the University of Arkansas maintain its status as a leader in academia.

Yes, our students have access to internship and co-op program opportunities in almost every academic program.

Co-ops provide students with a salary as well as practical work experience while they attend classes on campus. Students may even receive academic credit for their co-op experiences.

Students also have the opportunity for internship and co-op experiences in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Japan. Many students also pursue internship opportunities with one of the many Fortune 500 companies located in the Northwest Arkansas region.

The Office of Career Connections works hard to help University of Arkansas students be competitive for the jobs they will pursue after graduation. Counselors can help you look for internships, polish your résumé, improve your interviewing skills, and more. Each year they organize multiple career fairs which allow you to interact with representatives from companies across the nation.

If you have no college credit, or if you have earned college credit while in high school or in the summer immediately after high school graduation, then you are a freshman.

You do not have to pick a major now. Coursework during the first two years is flexible for most majors. However, students pursuing some majors—such as architecture—are encouraged to declare early. If you are undecided, you should discuss major possibilities during your first semester with an academic advisor.

New Student and Family Programs oversee many programs such as R.O.C.K. Camp, UARK Cardinal Nights, A-Week, and leadership programs to help new students find their place on campus and meet fellow classmates.

Campus safety measures include 90 campus emergency phones connected to central police dispatch, closed circuit security cameras, and electronic doors requiring security cards for access to residence hall. Students who wish for additional assistance can contact Razorback Patrol and request a walking escort. UAPD officers also are available for assistance. Another option for both on-campus and off-campus is Safe Ride, a regularly-scheduled van service.

The Pat Walker Health Center plays a major role in teaching students safety strategies. Programs focus on risk reduction, personal safety, and the safety of others.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, more information concerning safety along with the annual Clery security report can be found on uapd.uark.edu. The report in its entirety is available for download as a PDF. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request.

Each year, some applicants to the University of Arkansas are invited to join our waitlist because the U of A regularly receives more applications from highly qualified students than there is enrollment capacity for the entering class. We will admit additional students from the pool as we know how many students have accepted an offer of admission. Students who indicate they wish to continue on the waitlist will be reviewed for possible admission on a regular basis.

A waitlist is a list of first-year applicants who will be considered for admission as enrollment capacity allows. Students on the waitlist are qualified and prepared to succeed at the University of Arkansas but are not admitted yet due to the anticipated class size. Since admitted students have until May 1 to accept their admission and register for orientation and housing, enrollment capacity in the incoming class may become available during that time. The Office of Admissions typically admits a select number of waitlisted students.

While applicants who submit their application and required credentials by the November 1 priority deadline are given the greatest consideration in the admissions process, students who apply after the priority deadline may also be admitted to fulfill one or more of our enrollment objectives.

Although a student's high school GPA is the best predictor in determining a student's ability to succeed at the University of Arkansas, the Office of Admissions evaluates each applicant in order to meet our enrollment objectives and considers other academic and non-academic factors which include, but are not limited to:

• Overall high school GPA and academic achievement (most important consideration)
• Grade trends or improvement over time (this item and those following are not listed in any specific order)
• Rigor of an applicant's high school courses relative to the rigor of the courses offered at the applicant's high school
• Contribution to the economic or geographic diversity to the student body
• Family educational background
• SAT 1 or ACT scores (if the student is not eligible for test optional review or if the scores will be a positive contribution to the review)
• Requirement for remedial course placement
• Special skills or outstanding talent, achievement, or aptitude in a particular reason
• Intended major
• Work experience or military service
• Commitment to community and leadership

Waitlisted students may send updated transcripts and/or test scores as they are available. The waitlist reply form also provides the opportunity to share any additional information we may need to make an admission decision. To ensure all applicants have the same opportunity, information contained on this form is the only additional information we will review beyond updated transcripts and/or test scores. We do not consider letters of recommendation.

No. Students who have been waitlisted are not allowed to change their major while on the waitlist. However, please be assured you will be able to change your major if you are admitted from the waitlist.

No. Students who have been waitlisted are not allowed to change their major while on the waitlist. However, please be assured you will be able to change your major if you are admitted from the waitlist.

The number of students admitted from the waitlist varies from year to year depending on a variety of factors. While the Office of Admissions closely monitors the number of students completing their housing contracts and registering for orientation throughout the spring semester, we sometimes do not know if we will admit a student from the waitlist until later in the spring. We are committed to letting applicants know their final admission decision as early as possible.

Unfortunately, an admitted student cannot offer their spot to another student.

No. Accepting your spot on the waitlist does not commit you to the U of A in any way. If we offer you admission, you will have the option to decide if you would like to enroll.

If you are admitted from the waitlist, you will not be at a disadvantage. Orientation sessions for first-year students occur throughout the month of June, and August options are also available. Housing is available for all freshmen, and housing assignments are made throughout the summer. Your eligibility for financial aid will not change, and students admitted from the waitlist with a 3.20 or higher GPA (as calculated by the Office of Admissions) will still be eligible for the New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award.