Freshman Admission
What do you value most when reviewing freshman applicants?
High academic achievement as well as demonstrated interest in and aptitude for science and math is strongly considered in the freshman review process. Read more in the Info For Future Students section.
How hard is it to be admitted to the College of Natural Sciences?
More and more students seek math and science degrees making the College of Natural Sciences the largest college at UT Austin. With many more applicants than we can accept, admission to the College of Natural Sciences has become increasingly competitive. Students are considered amongst others in their respective applicant pool and so, while interest in Natural Sciences continues to increase, the level of competitiveness varies from year to year.
I’m eligible for automatic admission to UT Austin. Does that mean I’ll be automatically admitted into the College of Natural Sciences as well?
Not necessarily. The College of Natural Sciences works collaboratively with the Office of Admissions. We review applications for Natural Sciences based on academic fit and interest in our programs. Therefore, a student may be eligible for admission to the University but not selected for our college.
What SAT/ACT score do I need to get into CNS?
This cycle, high school students who apply to The University of Texas at Austin for Fall 2024 undergraduate admission will be required to submit an ACT or SAT test score as part of their application. For more information about the policy, please review the Standardized Testing Policy FAQs.
For students applying for admission for Fall 2025, you do need to submit a standardized test score (an ACT and/or SAT score) as part of your undergraduate admission application.
When do my scores need to be submitted?
You need to have your official scores sent from the testing agency. Your scores need to be on file by the appropriate deadline to be considered.
- If applying by the Early Action deadline, your official scores from the testing agency need to be received by October 23.
- If applying by the regular deadline, your scores need to be received by December 11.
Does the College of Natural Sciences require SAT subject tests?
No. SAT subject test scores are not evaluated in the admissions process.
How early should I apply to maximize my chances of getting admitted?
Students are encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline. Over 40,000 freshman applicants apply for summer or fall admission. Students are encouraged to submit their applications before or by October 15th (Early Action Decision deadline) to allow sufficient time for processing. UT Austin and the College of Natural Sciences do not offer binding early decision or early action for general admission, and applying early does not influence the admission decision nor have any sort of competitive advantage. Early Action Deadline applicants will rec