Admissions Policy Changes

At the heart of the University of Utahʼs mission is our commitment to students. Identifying applicants well prepared for academic success is one of the keys to providing our students with an extraordinary undergraduate experience. To that end, we are implementing a more strategic approach to enrollment, which will entail changes in our admissions requirements and processes affecting the upcoming class of high school seniors.

This fall we will begin holistic reviews of freshman applications – a process followed by the vast majority of our peer institutions in the Pac-12 and beyond. In assessing applicants for the class of 2013, we will take into account a wide variety of factors that we know have a bearing on success in college. In addition to GPA and ACT/SAT scores, we will consider depth of academic preparation in high school; personal qualities— including integrity, maturity, motivation and resilience; a commitment to citizenship and leadership; respect for background, culture, and heritage; and the ability to contribute to and benefit from a culturally and intellectually diverse learning community. A new admission application, which will include questions designed to provide insight into these factors, will be available online as of September 4, 2012.

Although we will no longer publish minimum GPA and ACT/SAT scores for admission to the University, these measures will continue to be important factors—viewed within the context of a broader student profile.

To aid in the new holistic review process, a new admission application will be available online September 4, 2012. In addition, the Honors application is now part of the overall admission application. Official transcripts must be submitted as part of the application file and ACT/SAT scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.

Because the Uʼs new review process involves considering each applicant in relation to the entire applicant pool, rolling admissions are no longer feasible. Therefore, all students who complete an application submission (admission application, application fee, official transcripts and test scores) by the application deadline will be reviewed at the same time. Following the review, all admission decisions will be released simultaneously. Students who are denied admission will have a new and more clearly defined process for appeal. New application deadlines and decision notification release dates also affect deadlines for scholarships and housing. Please refer to the attachments for these deadlines.

First-time freshman students who have been admitted to the U now must reserve their place with a non-refundable $150 enrollment deposit due no later than May 1 of the year they enroll. The deposit requirement will provide the U with a more accurate forecast of class size, and help us more efficiently allocate resources to meet the needs of incoming students. In cases of financial hardship, the deposit requirement may be waived following review by the offices of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Students applying after the April 1 deadline will be put on a wait list and notified of their admission decision after the May 1 deposit deadline.

We realize that these changes have significant implications for high school seniors in the class of 2012-2013, and want to do all we can to help them meet these new requirements and deadlines. We are asking for your help in sharing and publicizing this information with your students and their parents. We will continue to communicate critical information and publicize dates to you, students, and parents to make the transition as smooth as possible.

To help facilitate these changes and improve our ability to serve you, effective July 1, 2012, the University of Utahʼs Office of Student Recruitment and Admissions Office are merging to form the Office of Admissions. Aretha Minor will serve as the Interim Director of Admissions while we conduct a nationwide search for the new directorʼs position. During this transition, please continue to use the same phone numbers, addresses, and emails when contacting the U with questions or looking for information for students. We will notify you of any major changes or new contacts to help you in your efforts once the transition is complete.

If you have questions or know of individual students with special circumstances, please contact the Office of Admissions at 801-581-8761 or email admissions@utah.edu. We want to ensure that every student with an interest in the University of Utah has the opportunity to apply and receives careful consideration. We look forward to working with you!

Thank you,
Mary G. Parker
Associate Vice President
Enrollment Management
The University of Utah

 

 
Last Updated: 6/12/12