Admission Requirements
The following outlines UNK admissions requirements for first-time entering freshmen and transfer students. The requirements do not pertain to international applicants, readmissions and non-degree students.
Assured Admission
In addition to graduation from an accredited high school, or equivalent, all students seeking entry to the University must have successfully completed a core of selected high school courses spread over a number of disciplines. Additionally, students are required to meet performance criteria by ranking in the top half of their graduating high school class OR must meet certain performance criteria, based on high school GPA or scores from ACT or SAT national examinations.
Core Course Requirements
The core course requirements are summarized in the following broad areas of subject matter in which one unit represents one full year of study:
| Subject Matter | Units |
|---|---|
| English | 4 - All units must include intensive reading and writing. |
| Mathematics | 3 - Units must include Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry |
| Social Studies | 3 - At least one unit of American and/or World History, one additional unit of History, American Government, and/or Geography; and a third unit of any Social Science discipline or subject. |
| Natural Sciences | 3 - At least two of the three units selected from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science. One of the units must include laboratory instruction. |
| World Language | 2 - Units must be in the same language. Students who are unable to take two years of world language in high school can substitute with additional courses in English, Math or Science. |
| Any academic elective | 1 - Unit can be chosen from any of the above, preferably Mathematics |
Academic courses at each Nebraska high school have been evaluated. A list of eligible high school classes in Nebraska is available online at: schoolcounselors.unl.edu/curriculum/curriculum-list/
Performance Requirements
In addition to meeting the above core course requirements, students seeking admission to the University on any campus, shall:
- Be ranked in the 50th percentile or higher of their graduating class in an accredited high school
OR
- Have received an ACT composite score of 20 or greater
OR
- Have received an SAT total score of 1040 or greater
OR
- Have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
Admission of Conditional Students
Applicants who do not qualify for assured admission by meeting all entrance criteria may appeal to be considered for admission to the University on the basis of special merit. The student may be asked to submit a letter of appeal along with three letters of recommendation:
(1) from the high school principal or guidance counselor,
(2) from two different teachers in core subjects
If the appeal is successful, the student will be conditionally admitted. This status may require the student to participate in an academic program of study that specifies the course work to be taken as well as other designated support activities provided by selected faculty and staff.
Home-Schooled Students
Submit the Application for Admission and the $45 non-refundable application fee. Submit a copy of your high school transcript that includes grades earned in courses each term, cumulative GPA, and the signature of your homeschool administrator. If applicable, submit any official transcripts reflecting any high school or post-secondary work completed. Home-schooled students admitted without completing all 16 core course requirements will be required to successfully complete an approved college-level course in each deficiency within the first 48 credit hours of enrollment at UNK.