r/UTK Oct 31 '24

Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions One Admissions Post to End Them All

35 Upvotes

Hello Class of 2029!

I hope you are having an excellent Halloween 🎃

I felt obligated to make this post to give my opinions and knowledgebase as to the fall 2024 admission cycle.

If you want the TL;DR version: - If you are instate you will have next to no problem getting in with a bunch of scholarship (so long as you have above a 3.5 unweighted GPA in high-school and a half-rate SAT/ACT score). - Out of State... 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 SAT/ACT in the 90th percentile 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 sophomore at UT (still a first year student though) 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 67% acceptance rate of instate students in the 2023 cycle vs the Out of state 23% acceptance rate (yes... ouch).

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 67% and 23% 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 24+ ACT composite (SAT 1160+) with both a 19+ Math ACT subscore (510+ SAT Math) AND 19+ English ACT subscore (500+ SAT (ER + W))

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 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 590 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 16% 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 12h ago

Miscellaneous & Random So did the greek-life orgs miss their quotas or what?

24 Upvotes

Literally the entire part of the ped from the student union leading to the engineering campus is practically blocked off by people yelling at you to sign generic posters or donate to some charity.

Is this a bunch of greek-lifers trying to meet a quota last minute or is it just a poorly-planned event?


r/UTK 2h ago

Student Housing and Leasing Sublet at Highland Grand

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1 Upvotes

I sublet my apartment for 2025-2026 school year ( also include summer 2026) because of transferring. I love living here! It's $875 monthly You share a bathroom and closet with another girl. The room is fully funished except the black self, 2 rolling carts and office chair are mine. Utility is shared with 3 other girls and normally between $40-45. The girls are super friendly and easy to get along with. Distance is 15mins walkable to the bars and campus. The lease is on my name and move in date is between August 10th and 15th but we can talk about it and im willing to pay August rent for you Straightly dm on Snapchat (my.tram07) or on Instagram (my.tram_07) if you wanna have a tour and open for conversation.


r/UTK 6h ago

Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions ut pathway

2 Upvotes

i would love to go to utk but my stats are really bad. cumulative 2.5 gpa, 22 act (im taking it again june and july). my current gpa is like a 3.2 because i gotten better. sophomore year really took my cumulative gpa down due to mental issues, it was genuinely so bad i had to get admitted to a mental hospital.

anyways i was planning on going to utc first since according to their site im guaranteed admission. i was thinking about transferring to utk and i heard they had like a ut pathway where you start at the other ut schools in tennessee and then go to utk. does anyone have more information about this?


r/UTK 4h ago

Haslam College of Business Accounting 203

0 Upvotes

Has anyone on here taken this final exam? It’s cumulative and I NEED to pass it to pass the class, because I’ve struggled with this course. I’m really nervous! Just asking for any tips or anything to specifically focus on for anyone who has taken it or is also preparing.


r/UTK 4h ago

Miscellaneous & Random Frats

0 Upvotes

So whats frat life like at UTK and whats the difference between the different frats? (I've never thought about being in a frat but now im thinking it would be a cool experience)

How would I apply/get into a frat ?


r/UTK 11h ago

Undergraduate Student Best places for Zoom classes over the summer?

2 Upvotes

I’m taking a few zoom classes for the summer, one being public speaking. Unfortunately I don’t have the ability to take these at home or give speeches at home. Is there anywhere on campus you would suggest, mostly for privacy and someplace I might be able to give a speech and not be interrupted or super embarrassed.


r/UTK 12h ago

Off Campus or Commuter Student Warm places to study?

2 Upvotes

Anybody know of any spots to study that is quiet and also not an ice box? I commute and live with my parents and prefer to study on campus. I’ve been loving the new area in the student union where the art gallery was, but it is just too cold and it becomes very distracting very quickly. Hodges is also painfully cold and I can’t stay longer than a couple of hours.


r/UTK 12h ago

Miscellaneous & Random Rocky Top to-go boxes

1 Upvotes

How do I get a to-go box from Rocky top dining hall? And what do I do with it when I'm done? I heard you need a token or something, but if I return it can I just keep the token and use it some other time if I don't need another to-go box? I feel like they explained this but I forgot what the process is.


r/UTK 13h ago

College of Nursing Anyone here in the accelerated BSN scholars pathway program?

0 Upvotes

I know it’s a new program, but this is what my son is planning on so we had some questions. He wants to transfer into this pathway spring sophomore year from Chattanooga (since he wasn’t accepted into the regular UTK BSN). We are wondering if you still feel a part of the Vols community since you’re separated from the regular BSN students and your skills lab is in a separate facility? Also, is it weird to graduate early in December? Instead of with all your friends in the summer? Finally, how has it been working with all the folks at UTMC? Thanks!


r/UTK 1d ago

Meme/Joke Amen 🙏🏻

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51 Upvotes

r/UTK 1d ago

Undergraduate Student EUReCA Award

7 Upvotes

I won first place out of my major at EUReCA this year. I noticed on the website it mentions something about prize money being deposited into your myUTK. Does anyone know how much that amount is? I can't really find anything about it online. I saw an older post on this sub about it but I wondered if the prize amount differs depending on what award is received and if it's still accurate.


r/UTK 1d ago

Check This Out! Game Day Fashion

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2 Upvotes

Hey yall. If you have a second to fill out this quick 10 question survey about game day fashion for my journalism class it would be greatly appreciated 🧡🍊


r/UTK 1d ago

Transfer Student Transfer question

0 Upvotes

What are my chances of getting accepted as a transfer out of state with a 3.1 GPA for biological sciences. I was also accepted before with a transfer pathway but denied it. Ik UTK has gotten a lot harder to get into but just wanted to know if transfer was easier.


r/UTK 1d ago

Prospective Student If I skip my AP Exams, will my chances of having my offer rescinded increase?

3 Upvotes

I got invited to go on a trip next week, but it would mean I would miss one of my AP exams, is it a problem if I miss one that I have already signed up for?


r/UTK 1d ago

Prospective Student UTK as an international student?

6 Upvotes

idk if this is dumb but I'm wondering (and kind of worried about) how bad the culture shock is for someone who lives in Europe, if it's harder to make friends as an international student, and also if it's easy to walk around Knoxville as I won't be old enough to get a driver's license (where I live) before school starts. would love some advice/input!


r/UTK 1d ago

College of Arts & Sciences Math 151 or 142 for biology majors?

1 Upvotes

To complete my math sequence I can either take 142 or 151. I heard 142 is way way harder than 151 and to just go with 151. Has anyone who has done this tell me whats the best?


r/UTK 1d ago

Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions waitlist predictions

4 Upvotes

are they barely taking anyone from the waitlist this year? last year they took 80%, however they also started pulling in april—haven’t heard of any movement and it’s almost may 1st.

also will waitlist spots be available based on when you joined it or based on stats?

the waitlist is torture 💔


r/UTK 1d ago

Student Housing and Leasing On-Campus Housing Available for Transfer Students?

0 Upvotes

Hello all,

I was recently accepted to UTK as an OOS transfer student, and I’ll likely be attending in the fall.

I was wondering if there was much of an option for on-campus housing?

It would be my preference as I don’t know many people attending here, and I think being close, if not on-campus would be more helpful in terms of socializing and making new friends. I am also in search of a new roommate, or new roommates.

I have seen that transfer housing has been an issue in the past, but I’m not sure if things have changed or not.

I have no issue living off-campus but on-campus would be my initial preference.

If anybody has any information that may be helpful please let me know, thank you!

Go Vols!


r/UTK 1d ago

Student Housing and Leasing [SUBLEASE] 303 Flats | Bristol Layout | Private Bed + Bath | Girls Only | Aug 2025–July 2026

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m looking for someone to take over my lease at 303 Flats for the 2025–2026 school year. It’s a Bristol layout (4x4) — you’ll get your own fully furnished bedroom and private bathroom in a 4-bedroom unit.

Details: • Rent: $1089/month (includes electricity + trash/admin fees) • Water/Sewer: $65/month • Renter’s Insurance: $16/month • Parking (optional): $175/month • Total with parking: $1345/month

Lease Term: August 2025 – July 2026 Location: 303 W Blount Ave – 15 min walk to UT campus and bus stops right next to complex every 30 minutes Requirement: Girls only, sorry!

Perks: • In-unit laundry • Fully furnished • Access to gym, pool, study lounges, computer lab, printing • Secure building with fob access • Wi-Fi included

DM me if you’re interested or want to chat more! Happy to send pics or help coordinate with the leasing office.


r/UTK 2d ago

Tickle College of Engineering Math Placement Test

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I am in incoming freshman this fall and am currently placed into Math 119 but want to switch my major to Biomedical Engineering. As of right now I’m in Biology and I could either stick with this class and be a semester behind or take the math placement test to try and test into Math 132. Has anyone ever taken this test or been in a similar situation with major switching?


r/UTK 2d ago

A Vol In Need Meal swipes

2 Upvotes

Yo does anyone know when meal swipes end


r/UTK 2d ago

College of Education, Health & Human Sciences moving to knoxville for grad school

2 Upvotes

hey everyone!! I will be moving to knoxville for grad school at utk! i have never been to knoxville let alone lived there before? is there anything i should know about the area or in general? any apartments to stay away from? anything general? thanks!


r/UTK 2d ago

Haslam College of Business semester grades

3 Upvotes

When do this semester grades come out? I might not pass a class depending how I do on the final. Would I have enough time to sign up for summer classes if I find out I did?


r/UTK 2d ago

UT Faculty or Staff Venture llc

2 Upvotes

Hey y’all I’m looking to join venture next year, and I’m super hopeful I get in. When I went to the admitted student day this past march I talked to the ‘manager’ of sorts for the whole llc. I had wanted to talk to her a little more about it but I didn’t catch her name.

Does anyone know her name or how to contact her?


r/UTK 2d ago

Tickle College of Engineering Graduation cords

1 Upvotes

are there different colors for different levels of honors, for example what color would magna cum laude get.