Freshman Admission Requirements

Print this Page

You are a freshman if you:

• are a student without college credit or
• earned college credit prior to high school graduation (dual credit/early college high school)* or
• earned less than 15 transferable hours of college credit after earning a GED or high school diploma* and
• are a U.S. citizen, have applied for permanent residency, or qualify for Texas residency based on Senate Bill 1528

*Only credit earned from an institution accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations will be accepted. 

You are an international freshman if you:

• are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and
• are not graduating from a Texas high school after three years in residence in Texas (please review Senate Bill 1528)

How to Apply

Visit the How to Apply page for step-by-step instructions.

Admissions Criteria

Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.803-51.809 requires all students meet college readiness standards to be eligible for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution. Read about the Texas Uniform Admission Policy.

On your application, you will select whether you want your application to be reviewed with a test score or without a test score. The admission criteria for each choice is below. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to change your admissions review selection. 

WITH TEST SCORE

WITHOUT TEST SCORE

*If you don’t meet the assured admissions requirements, we may consider additional factors in the admissions process. Additional factors include, but are not limited to the following: college-level coursework completed, number of credit hours earned, core GPA, first-generation college attendance, socioeconomic background, special talents, abilities or awards earned, family responsibilities, leadership activities, public service, special talents and extra-curricular activities.

 **This unweighted GPA will be calculated by the University of Houston (out of a 4.0 scale) using the grades on your transcript. Extracurricular classes won’t be included.

Majors with Additional Requirements 

Some majors have additional requirements on top of the ones listed above.

Majors with additional requirements are indicated with a +.

For more information, visit www.uh.edu/freshman-majors-ar.

High School Graduation

Sixth Semester Grades

The university will evaluate and admit applicants based on their record through six terms (end of junior year) of high school work.

Final/Seventh Semester Grades

Admitted freshmen, who intend to enroll at UH, must provide a final/seventh semester transcript showing completion of high school requirements. An official final/seventh semester transcript must be submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to enrollment. Failure to submit required documentation may result in rescinding admission.

Accredited High Schools

Applicants who have graduated from a high school accredited by either the Texas Education Agency or the appropriate Regional Association of Schools and Colleges will be admitted if they meet the outlined requirements.

Non-accredited High Schools

Applicants who have graduated from a high school not accredited by either the Texas Education Agency or the appropriate Regional Association of Schools and Colleges may be admitted through individual review.

General Education Development

The University recognizes GED tests as the equivalent of high school graduation. An applicant who has passed the GED tests and submits satisfactory SAT or ACT scores may be considered for general admission to the University of Houston. GED applicants may be admitted by individual review.

Home School Applicants

Documentation of non-accredited high school/home schooled students is required for admission in addition to official SAT/ACT scores. Home school applicants may be admitted through individual review.

Admission Option for Academically Talented High School Students

Special freshman admission options are available to academically talented students based on test scores, grade point average, and other criteria. The university offers dual (concurrent) enrollment and summer courses for students who wish to take college courses while still in high school. Early enrollment is available to a select group of students who have superior high school academic records and who wish to begin university level work after the completion of their junior year of high school. Please contact the Office of Admissions for details regarding these admission options.

Deadlines

Visit the Deadlines  page for a listing of when the admissions application and supporting materials are due.