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Test Optional Admissions

Freshman applicants have the option to apply for admission with or without a test score through June 1, 2030. This includes all academic terms through fall 2030. So, what exactly does that mean? Learn more below.

What is Test Optional Admission?

Test optional admission is our review philosophy to give you the choice to submit SAT or ACT scores or not as part of your application. In other words, test scores are not required and will not impact our admissions decision.

Three Things You Need to Know

  1. You are not disadvantaged by applying without a test score. Please review your academic record and determine the best application option for you.
  2. Apply through the Common App or ApplyTexas. This is where you’ll indicate whether you want to be reviewed with a test score or without a test score. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your extracurricular activities.
  3. You can change how you are considered for admission after you submit your application. If you already received a decision, however, you will not be able to change how you are considered for admission.

The Process

Applicants can apply for admission to the University of Houston through Common App or ApplyTexas. This is where you'll specify whether you want to apply with or without a test score. All applicants applying with or without a test score must submit a short admissions essay and extracurricular activities — both can be submitted through Common App or ApplyTexas. Make sure to complete these sections before you finish and submit your application. You will not be able to go back and add your admissions essay or extracurricular activities once you’ve submitted your application.

If applying 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

If applying for admission with test scores, we will use the highest total or composite score submitted. We do not super score. To comply with Texas Success Initiative standards, scores may not be more than five years old at the time of submission. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your extracurricular activities.

If applying without a test score:

If you don’t meet the assured admissions requirements, we may require additional documentation (like updated grades), which we’ll request from you to help us make our decision. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your extracurricular activities.

Assured Admission Requirements

Receive automatic admission by meeting one of the following academic requirements.

Assured Pathway 1 Top 10%
Assured Pathway 2 3.5+ GPA
Assured Pathway 3 1250+ on SAT or 26+ ACT

*If you don't meet the assured admissions requirements, we will use your Common App or ApplyTexas essay and your resume in our review process. All students regardless of how they apply need to submit an essay and resume.

**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.

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.

All students, regardless of their application type (with or without test scores), are required to self-report their core academic grades (English, science, social studies and math) as well as submit an essay and resume (submitted within the application for admission). We do not allow submission of essays or resumes after a student has submitted their Common App or ApplyTexas application.

Majors With Additional Requirements

Students also should be mindful of our majors with additional requirements as these programs have requirements that exceed the general University admissions requirements.

FAQs

Everyone’s situation is different, so we recommend reaching out to your recruitment specialist to see which option may be best for you. The great thing is, whatever option you choose, can be changed later. So, if you decide that you want to change from applying with test scores to without or vice versa, there’s a form that can be filled out on our website. Remember, you can only submit this form if you have not received an admissions decision yet.
Not at all! You’re not penalized in any way for choosing to apply without a test score. Just keep our assured admission criteria in mind.
It depends — if you meet the assured admissions criteria, we won’t need anything other than your official transcript. If you don’t, we’ll individually review your file. For that, we’ll need a resume and a personal statement. We’ll let you know if we need those documents.
Yes! Students who apply without test scores are still eligible for scholarships and will be reviewed by our Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid for our merit scholarships.

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