At the University of Houston, you'll find degree programs that will pave the way to the future you envision—whether you want to build the physical foundations of the future as an engineer or architect, shape young minds as an educator, or study how far humanity has already come as an anthropologist. These are just a few of the areas of study available, taught by world-renowned faculty members.

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)

We've Gone Test Optional

Applicants have the option to apply for admission with or without a test score for the following academic terms: spring 2021, summer 2021, fall 2021, spring 2022, and summer 2022. Applicants are not disadvantaged by applying without a test score. If you have already submitted an application, but would like to change how you’ll be considered for admission (with or without a test score), please complete the Admissions Review Option Change form.

Applying With a Test Score (ACT/SAT)

On your application, you will select whether you want your application to be reviewed with a test score or without a test score. If you are applying for admissions with a test score, have your ACT or SAT score(s) sent directly from the testing agency to us.

University of Houston ACT Code:   4236
University of Houston SAT Code:  6870

To comply with Texas Success Initiative standards, scores may not be more than 5 years old at the time of submission.

Applying Without a Test Score

On your application, you will select whether you want your application to be reviewed with a test score or without a test score. If you don’t meet the assured admissions requirements, we may consider additional factors in the admissions process. If selected for individual review, you will be asked to submit the following materials via your myUH self-service portal:

1. Resume (include special talents, awards or honors earned, family responsibilities, leadership activities, part-time work experience, public service or volunteer work, and extra-curricular activities)
2. Essay (pick one of the following topics)
   • Essay Option A: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story. 1,000 words or less
   • Essay Option B: Tell us about a time where you challenged your pre-existing worldview. Why? Would you do this again? 1,000 words or less
   • Essay Option C: Tell us about a time where you had to either take a risk or stay safe. What did you do? What happened? Would you do it again? 1,000 words or less

Admissions Review Option Change Form

Admission Requirements

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.

*If you don’t meet the assured admissions requirements, we may consider additional factors in the admissions process. If we require additional documentation, we’ll request those materials from you.

 **This unweighted GPA will be calculated by the University of Houston (out of a 4.0 scale) using English, math, science, and social studies grades on your transcript. Extracurricular classes will not be included. 

Admission requirements are different for international students. For more information, visit uh.edu/international.

GED or home schooled applicants will be considered for admission by individual review.

Majors With Additional Requirements

Some majors have additional requirements on top of the ones listed above. For more information, visit uh.edu/freshman-majors-ar.

Freshman Majors with Additional Requirements |  State of Texas Uniform Admissions Policy

No Class Rank

We recognize some applicants attend non-traditional or non-ranking schools who do not provide a class rank. Applicants without a class rank will still be considered for admissions by individual review.

In lieu of a class rank, a statement of rank provided by a school administrator is sufficient. The statement of rank should include a student's name, UH ID and a confirmation as to whether the student would fall in the top 10 percent, top 20 percent, etc., of their respective graduating class. Rank statements should be submitted to admissions@uh.edu.

How to Send Transcripts

Pick one of the following options to submit your most recent high school transcript information:

• Ask your school administrator to send your official transcript data electronically through an EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) system, e.g. TREx (for Texas institutions)
  or
• Self-report transcript information in your my.uh.edu self-service portal. You’ll see an option for it on your applicant to-do list.  You may also upload a PDF copy of your transcript to your myUH self-service portal.

If neither of the above options are available to you, your transcripts can be mailed to:

University of Houston - Welcome Center
4434 University Drive
Houston, TX 77204

Application Fee

Pay the nonrefundable $75 application fee ($90 for international students) with a credit card or debit card. Payment can be made in your myUH self-service portal or before submitting the admissions application.

Freshman may qualify for an application fee waiver. Simply complete the National Association for College Admissions Counseling Fee Waiver Form and submit a PDF copy through your myUH account using the following steps:

1. Log in to your myUH account
2. Select the "Student Center" tile
3. Locate your To-Do List on the top right side of the page
4. Select "Details/Upload Document"
5. Select the "Upload/View Document" link for the "UGRD Fee Waiver Form"
6. Select the "Upload File" button and select your completed Fee Waiver Form in PDF format and navigate through the prompts

Deadlines

Dual Credit & Early College High School

All students who are currently enrolled in high school at the time of their admissions application to UH must apply as a freshman (regardless of the number of college credit hours they have earned in high school). Applying as a freshman allows all dual credit and early college high school students to take advantage of the financial, academic, and housing opportunities that are specifically set aside for freshman students transitioning from high school to college.

Work hard. Get credit.

You deserve to get as much credit as you can for your work at your previous institution. Meet our new Transfer Credit Estimator, your guide to estimating how many course credits may transfer
to your chosen degree program at the University of Houston.

Learn more

Earning an Associate’s Degree in high school does not guarantee admission to UH and does not classify an applicant as a transfer student. However, earning an Associate’s Degree will be taken into consideration during admission review.

Speak with an Admissions Counselor

Admissions counselors are experts when it comes to applying to the University of Houston. If you'd like to talk to an admissions counselor for admissions support, we're offering virtual advising by appointment. Please note that admissions counselors do not provide support with course selection or registration.

And even though we're currently not offering in-person visits, our virtual visits will give you a feel for student life and an in-depth look at the academic colleges. You can also request a call from a UH Student Ambassador to get more insight into the student experience at UH.