Freshman Admission

Freshman Admission

Applicants who have not attended a college or university after graduating from high school, may seek admission as a freshman.

Application Documents Required

1. Freshman application. The application is available at www.applytexas.org.
2. Official ACT or SAT scores. Methods in which UTRGV will accept test scores: sent directly from the testing agency or on official high school transcript. The UTRGV school code is ACT 6991 and SAT 6568.
3. A high school transcript that indicates diploma type, class rank, class size and GPA. If applicant will graduate from a foreign high school, a foreign credential evaluation will be required instead of the high school transcript in addition to proof of English language proficiency. See Evaluation of Foreign Credentials and English Language Proficiency sections on this catalog for more details.
4. Admissions Essay.
5. Although not required, it is strongly recommended that applicants submit college transcripts reflecting college coursework taken while in high school (dual enrollment). Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) attended electronically or by mail or may be hand delivered as long as the document is in a sealed envelope from the institution. Students who are currently enrolled at another institution should request a transcript to be sent with the coursework completed to date, followed by a final transcript to be sent upon completion of the current semester.

Documents required after admission follow:

1. Advancement placement scores, if applicable.
2. International Baccalaureate diploma and scores, if applicable.
3. Texas Success Initiative (TSI) approved test scores or proof of exemption for students who plan to enroll in college-level coursework. Test scores from approved TSI exams or TSI exemption will not be used as a basis for admission, but will be used to determine placement.
4. Medical records documenting Meningitis Vaccination within 5 years of the start of the application term or exemption will not be used for admission purposes, but is a requirement for enrollment. Please check with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for full details.
5. Official high school transcript indicating a graduation date is required to be on file and is a supporting document for financial aid.

Admission Requirements

A profile will be created from all of the information submitted and admissions decisions will be based on that profile and their accomplishments in high school.

Factors to review include:

•             Class Rank

•             Prior college hours

•             College Entrance Exams (ACT/SAT)

•             Rigor of High School Courses Completed

•             Leadership Experience

•             Community Involvement

•             Career Goals

State of Texas Uniform Admission Standards

Top 10 Percent Applicants from Texas High Schools — Students that apply for admissions no later than two years after graduating from recognized accredited public or private high schools in Texas with a class rank in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class and that successfully completed the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation  Program from a Texas public high school will be automatically admitted to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Applicants who receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma will be automatically admitted to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Non-accredited High School

Students who attended a non-accredited high school will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Texas Private High School

A student scheduled to graduate from a Texas private high school may be considered for admission to a Texas public university if the student has completed the foundation high school program or its equivalent, or has achieved college readiness scores on the ACT or SAT entrance exams. Students of Texas private high schools who have completed only a portion of the foundation high school program because the courses are not available to the student may still be eligible for admission to a Texas public university.

Students graduating from a Texas private high school must submit one of the following forms to claim an exemption from the state’s high school coursework requirement. The forms are available through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s website

• TPHSC-Form 1: Students who did NOT complete IPC prior to 2010-2011
• TPHSC-Form 2: Students who completed IPC prior to 2010-2011
• TPHSC-Form 3: Students graduating under the Foundation High School program in 2014 or later

General Education Development (GED), HOMESCHOOL Applicant

Applicants who graduated from a homeschool or obtained a high school equivalent will follow the same admissions requirements and criteria as applicants graduating from a Texas public high school. (See above)