r/UTK Oct 31 '24

Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions One Admissions Post to End Them All

51 Upvotes

Hello Class of 2031!

This is my 4th update to this post, and I hope my information remains helpful to this day! 🙌

The following information compiles both my experiences and departmental knowledge over my time at UT. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

If you want the TL;DR version:

  • Instate students who do not receive guaranteed admission will need a UT GPA of at least 3.9 or an ACT above 28. It has become incredibly difficult for instate students... so get that 4.0 and ACT score up!

  • Out of State students... you damn near need to be the best of the best these days. I cannot promise anything obviously but if you have a weighted GPA above 4.3ish and a ACT composite of 30 or so... you should get a pretty good amount of money and feel comfortable with admissions (so long as you have half rate essays)!

Firstly, I feel obligated to state my qualifications to give the opinions and facts in this post:

  1. I am a current Senior at UT (will not graduate until 2028) Applied out of state

  2. I am affiliated with two organizations who monitor admission cycles each year across all universities (one MAY or may not be directly affiliated with MIT's admission office).

Not to name names... lol.

But I think this discussion should be broken up into 6 parts. (Yes long post OH NOOOOO!!!) But if you really want the honest truth and plan on... ya know... going to college... then reading should be in your best interest my friend.

Part One: The In-state vs. Out-of-State War

It is well known that many universities favor instate students in order to keep future generations... well... "in state." At many uni's this can be seen through more scholarship opportunities, cheaper base tuition, and in many cases: EASIER ADMISSIONS.

It is no secret that UT MUCH prefers instate students... especially seen in the 64% acceptance rate of instate students in the 2026 cycle vs the Out of state 28% acceptance rate (apparently going up!).

My current roommate is an instate student with a truck ton of scholarship (only has to pay for housing atp). Where as I am actively dropping a cool 17 grand a semester! YIPPEEE!

But outside of the money and the distribution between 64% and 28% what does that actually look like in terms of admission criteria? We will look at that next.

Part Two: Instate Admission Criteria

Straight from the guaranteed admission website...

Score a 28+ ACT composite (SAT 1300+)

AND

Achieve one of the following: Earn a 4.0+ UT Core GPA Be among the Top 10% of their high school graduating class

Honestly not terrible, most people I know who came here instate got guaranteed admission!

So to my instate students... good luck!

Part Three: One of these things is not like the other... (Out of State Admission Criteria)

This section is going to be rather long and probably the most sought after... so grab your reading glasses!

There are many misconceptions about college admissions that I feel you ought to know. The idea of a holistic review is very, very loose. Holistic reviews of your class schedule and your GPA/ACT score.

At most, your essays and activities in high-school will boost your case for admission by about 5 ACT score (but this would be for like the president of the student body with an entire page of Sh... Stuff they have done in high-school).

Good essays help admissions counselors like you as a person and it helps them want to want you!

Good resumes help this as well.

However... how long do you think it takes to read a single application? 30 seconds? A minute? Two minutes? The average amount of time it would take someone to read all of the information you provide would take around 6 minutes without skimming. Considering that means a single counselor could only go through 10 per hour...

We can assume (and I know for a fact) they do not read everything.

They look for 5 things while going through your app (no particular order): 1. GPA Weighted and Unweighted 2. SAT and ACT 3. AP classes (at a glance) 4. Some prose in your essays 5. Just a bunch of stuff on your activities in high-school

Quantity over quality often helps ngl...

Now that we understand the idea that they ain't gonna be looking at EVERYTHING with minute detail, what do they actually numerically look for?

Generally, for the sake of time and fair arguments, here are some basic numbers:

These are middle of the road so if you are above them then you should be fine...

SAT Score at or above 1340

ACT at or above 30

GPA 4.3 UT Weighted

If you don't match or beat those requirements... you better write the cure to cancer on your essays!

that was a joke

But it kind of wasn't... those scores and values are pretty standard nowadays, and you kind of have to be a pretty good student to earn your spot here.

SIDE NOTE: I had many friends apply here out of state and I was the only one who was not waitlisted. And they had some insane resumes (president of stuco with 4.3 GPA for example).

Part Four: Each college is different.

I don't mean reach university, because like... yeah no crap. I mean reach academic college is different.

If you are applying to be an engineer, you should expect to NEED a pretty decent math SAT Score. If you push below a 640 on the math... you aren't getting in to the tickle college of engineering.

Nursing is different and hard to get into.

Business is business... but it is still difficult to get into cause... ya know... it's highly ranked.

So on and so forth.

Do keep in mind that each college can only allow so much of one category. So engineering has a different acceptance rate than business (often not talked about).

There are no hard facts online about what it is... but I am pretty sure the Out of state engineering acceptance rate was about 15% of so... (don't take my word for it).

Part Five: You've already applied... what should you do?

Don't fail out your senior year. UT is very unforgiving (understandably) is you fall off the face of the earth senior year.

My senior year was actually my best academic year! Plus I...

  1. Was the captain of the volleyball team
  2. Was the yearbook president
  3. Senior class president
  4. Student Ambassador
  5. Robotics Captain
  6. Math Team Captain
  7. BLAH BLAH BLAH

All that to say... DONT BOG DOWN you are not done with high-school. UT will chew you and spit you out like it is nothing if your GPA tanks.

Also, just wait and follow UT's instructions. (Crazy right?)

Part Six: If you have any questions... please drop them below!

I'm an open book and will tell you pretty much anything so long as it's appropriate obviously!

Thanks for reading... And GO VOLS!!


r/UTK 22h ago

Meme/Joke What it feels like trying to park in Min Kao parking garage

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72 Upvotes

r/UTK 7h ago

Student Housing and Leasing Housing options

3 Upvotes

Any suggestions for off campus housing under 1k a month?


r/UTK 5h ago

Student Housing and Leasing AC keeps going out??

2 Upvotes

I’m in brown hall. Our AC has gone out for the 5th time since moving in. Has anybody else had this problem? Any idea why it keeps going out? Me and my roomie are sick of having maintenance in our room twice a week. Incredibly grateful and they’re always super nice, but it’s getting frustrating trying to sleep in a burning hot room.


r/UTK 5h ago

Selling or Looking to Buy utsc parking

1 Upvotes

If anyone is looking to sublet my parking spot for the school year lmk for more info, I’m offering thursdays-fridays for the school year as I only have classes Monday-Wednesdays


r/UTK 6h ago

Student Housing and Leasing I’m thinking about moving to the fort next year… anyone know if anyone is interested or want to give me some information on houses?

1 Upvotes

r/UTK 16h ago

Tickle College of Engineering exam questions

6 Upvotes
  1. do i bring my backpack? or just a pencil, calculator, etc.?

  2. do i bring my phone? obviously i can't use it but for like getting back into my room i cant really leave it

  3. advice?


r/UTK 18h ago

Student Housing and Leasing House Names/Signs Traditions

9 Upvotes

Hello! I am currently working on an article for a class about the culture and history of the Fort Sanders area (The Fort). I am especially interested in the phenomenon of students naming their houses (Firehouse, Barn, Doll House, Casa Blanca, Etc.). I would love to learn more about when, why, and how this tradition came to be. If anyone has any information on this please comment or private message me!

Thanks!


r/UTK 17h ago

Miscellaneous & Random Lake Loudoun/Neyland Red Light

3 Upvotes

If they are going to trigger the "Walk" sign across Neyland every cycle, they should turn on the right-turn arrow for Lake Loudoun. I always seem to get stuck behind someone who takes the full 20 seconds to realize Neyland traffic isn't moving and decides to turn when the Neyland light turns green, or they don't turn at all.


r/UTK 20h ago

Haslam College of Business Best on campus jobs I can apply for?

5 Upvotes

I really don’t care about pay or hours just need an extra like 300 a month lol


r/UTK 1d ago

Miscellaneous & Random Assignment rant

63 Upvotes

Genuinely why the fuck are none of my assignments in the same place why do I need 3 different lockdown browsers why do I need 3rd party apps to access homework assignments WHY DO I NEED APPS TO SUBMIT THE ASSIGNMENTS

Oh my god Genuinely this feels like the most inefficient bs ever

I am so tired of missing assignments cuz I have to climb to Satan's asscrack to figure out i even have an assignments due at a random ah time like 2:34pm 🧍‍♂️

Lmk if im not allowed to curse in here and I'll go fix it


r/UTK 1d ago

Miscellaneous & Random Online class requiring in person work

6 Upvotes

I think it is beyond me that I am in an online class I CHOSE because it’s online and it requires an assignment weekly where you more than likely have to do meet your peers in person. For one, it’s a vol core class, 95% of these people taking it do NOT care enough to take it that seriously. Two, I commute an hour to and from school, and this assignment might literally take hours to complete. Three, the professor has mentioned how students are probably online living in Nashville/elsewhere. I just don’t think you do an online class that requires assignments to be completed in person if you’re an online professor, nobody took the class to go do in person class things. Maybe I’m being annoying I’m unsure, just frustrating.


r/UTK 1d ago

Student Life, Socialization, and Clubs Online student friends

5 Upvotes

hello, I am UTK online student! I am not sure if this sounds odd, but how do I make more friends as an online student? Personally, I am super open to text message or exchange socials. But, now that I‘ve chosen to be an online student it has been hard to socialize more. And as a senior at that… I chose to become an online student because it was more convenient than going physical. But, I miss being social with others like I did previously in community college.

update: I am 21 and a girl, and will graduate next semester 🙂‍↕️


r/UTK 1d ago

A Vol In Need Male Lease Takeover at Society 865 – $1,045/mo + FIRST MONTH PAID

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm a UTK student looking for a male to take over my lease at Society 865 ASAP.

2 Bed / 2 Bath – Zeta Floor Plan

Rent: $1,045/month + utilities

I WILL PAY YOUR FIRST MONTH'S RENT

You'll have your own private bedroom and private bathroom in a furnished 2x2 apartment approximately a 15-minute walk from UTK.

Features/Amenities:

  • Private bedroom & bathroom
  • Reserved parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Pool
  • Fitness center
  • Computer/study lounge
  • In-unit washer/dryer
  • Close to UTK

This will be an official lease assignment through Society 865, not an unofficial sublease.

I'm looking for someone who can take over ASAP. Feel free to DM me for pictures/videos, roommate information, parking details, or any other questions!


r/UTK 1d ago

Graduate Student How are people deciding whether a master’s degree is worth the cost in 2026?

2 Upvotes

If you’re considering a master’s right now, what are you actually looking at to decide whether the investment makes sense?

Total tuition? Salary potential? Employer assistance? Career mobility? Time to finish? Whether the degree is required in your field?

What would make you walk away from a program even if you liked it?


r/UTK 2d ago

Student Life, Socialization, and Clubs Frat Safety

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72 Upvotes

Goes without saying that this is terrible. Name and shame the frats


r/UTK 1d ago

Financial Aid & Scholarships Refunds

3 Upvotes

I had to take out a loan plus having to pay out of pocket this semester because I thought I didn't get a scholarship that I usually get but turns out they processed it late. When should i expect a refund or should I even expect one?


r/UTK 2d ago

College of Arts & Sciences Pols 200 online

3 Upvotes

Anyone taken Political Science 200 - Political Philosophy Online? We have our first quiz and a bit nervous. Any recommendations or pointers for be successful?


r/UTK 2d ago

Student Housing and Leasing Weird counting voice outside vol hall

5 Upvotes

Does anyone know what the sound outside vol hall is? It’s a manly voice counting in cadence from 1 to 26. It’s a robotic voice.


r/UTK 2d ago

Check This Out! Live Wrestling at Mill & Mine - Sunday

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5 Upvotes

UT people — figured I’d share this since there’s no class Monday.

We’ve got NGW: Reckoning this Sunday night at The Mill & Mine downtown.

It’s live independent pro wrestling in a concert venue, and the atmosphere gets pretty wild. You definitely don’t have to be a hardcore wrestling fan to have fun at one of these shows.

With the football game Saturday and Labor Day Monday, we’re hoping to get a big college crowd in the building Sunday night.

Sunday, Sept. 6 — The Mill & Mine

If anybody has questions about the show or wants to know what to expect at their first live wrestling event, ask away.


r/UTK 2d ago

**Lost & Found** If you lost your Labubu today

9 Upvotes

If you lost your Labubu walking through Ped today, we left it in the Hodges Lost and Found!


r/UTK 2d ago

A Vol In Need Using my volcard is so troublesome on a non-apple phone

11 Upvotes

I have a Galaxy s22+ and I can hardly use my volcard on my phone without trouble. I have to get the people at the desk to scan me into the TRECS, I always have to tap at least twice to get into the dining halls, they had to use my netid the other day so I could buy something at volshop... I know utk has a partnership with apple which is neat but it's seriously so inconvenient when you don't have one.

Is anybody else having these kinds of issues??


r/UTK 2d ago

Student Life, Socialization, and Clubs Any Buddhist "clubs"?

8 Upvotes

I know there are a crap ton of Bible studies on campus, but is there anything similar to that but for Buddhism?


r/UTK 2d ago

UTK Parking Madness Visiting friend parking?

6 Upvotes

Hey guys. I’m a freshman and one of my friends is coming to visit me in a few weeks, and will be staying in my dorm room with me. She’s driving here, and I was wondering if anyone has advice about where she could park her car?


r/UTK 2d ago

Check This Out! $20 Amazon Gift Card: College Students Needed for a Vaping Research Study

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! We are recruiting college students for an MSU IRB approved research study about vaping experiences among college students.

Eligible participants will be invited to complete a 45 to 60 minute online interview. Participants who complete the interview will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.

If you are interested, please check out the attached flyer for eligibility information and study details. You can also scan the QR code on the flyer to see if you are eligible and sign up.

Thank you for considering participating and helping with our research!