Undergraduate Admission

UW welcomes all students to apply and will consider each student based on their individual academic achievement. Admission and programs of the University of Wyoming are offered to all eligible people without regard to race, gender, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political belief, or any other applicable protected category. The Director of Admissions, through the Provost, is responsible for the admission of students. Admission of graduate students must also be recommended by the department of an applicable graduate program.

I. Definitions

Diploma: A formal document certifying the successful completion of a prescribed program of studies.

First Time Student: A student who has no prior postsecondary experience attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. There are two exceptions: (1) students who attended any institution for the first time the summer prior to entering the University of Wyoming in the fall term and (2) students who enter UW with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).

High School Student: A student enrolled in secondary school or pursuing a high school diploma or recognized equivalent. Includes students who have not received but are pursuing a high school diploma or recognized equivalent and taking college coursework concurrently.

High School Success Curriculum: Coursework during high school that includes successful completion of the following:

  1. Four (4) years of English;
  2. Four (4) years of math (including algebra I, II, and geometry);
  3. Four (4) years of science (including at least one year of physical science);
  4. Three (3) years of social science;
  5. Four (4) years of additional coursework including at least two (2) years of related courses taken in sequence (including fine and performing arts, career-vocational education, or foreign language).

Nationally Standardized Tests: ACT Assessment (ACT) or SAT Assessment (SAT) test results. Test results must be sent to the Admissions Office. SAT Assessment scores will be based off the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math sections.

Returning Student: A student who previously attended UW but has not been enrolled for three consecutive semesters, including a summer term.

Transfer Student: A student entering the University of Wyoming for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate). The student may transfer with or without credit.

II. Undergraduate Admission Requirements

All applicants for admission under twenty-one (21) years of age or transfer students who have fewer than twelve (12) transferable semester credit hours after high school, must provide an official copy of their ACT or SAT test results. Test results must be sent to the Admissions Office.

A. First Time Students

Admission into a degree seeking program shall be based on individual academic achievement. The University seeks to admit qualified undergraduate students who are new first time students or students that are concurrently enrolled in post-secondary education classes.

To be considered for admission, prospective students must submit an application, a one-time nonrefundable application fee, official high school transcripts (or high school equivalency exam), and an official ACT or SAT test score (if the applicant is under 21) to the University’s Office of Admissions.

B. Assured Admission

Assured undergraduate admission shall be granted to high school graduates who meet the following requirements:

1. A cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale)

2. A minimum composite ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 1060; and

3. Completion of the High School Success Curriculum while attending high school.

*UW is test optional for admission purposes for incoming students through fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026. PLEASE NOTE: check where test scores are required for scholarship consideration.

C. Admission with Support

Undergraduate admission with support shall be granted to high school graduates who meet the following requirements:

  1. A cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of 2.500-4.000 and a minimum ACT score of 17 or SAT score of 900, or 2.250-2.490 and a minimum composite ACT score of 20 or SAT score of 1020; and
  2. Completion of the High School Success Curriculum with no more than two deficiencies. Both deficiencies cannot occur in the same curriculum category.

Students admitted with support are required to participate in the University’s academic transition programs administered by the Learning Resource Network (LeaRN).

*UW is test optional for admission purposes for incoming students through fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026.

D. Admission with Alternative Educational Credentials

Undergraduate applicants with General Education Development (GED) credentials or other approved alternative educational credentials (i.e., High School Equivalency Test (HiSet)) should contact the University’s Office of Admissions for specific application requirements. Students under 21 years of age with GED or the approved credentials must also have a minimum ACT score of 17 or SAT score of 900.

E. Transfer Students

Transfer students with twelve (12) or more transferable hours after high school must submit an application, a one-time nonrefundable application fee, and official transcripts from each previously-attended higher education institution. Transfer students must have at least a 2.000 cumulative GPA for undergraduate admission.

Transfer students with eleven (11) or less transferable hours after high school must also submit, official high school transcripts (or approved alternative education credentials), official ACT or SAT test score (if the applicant is under 21) and official transcripts from each previously-attended higher education institution. Admissions to transfer students with eleven (11) or less transferable hours must have at least a 2.000 cumulative GPA as well as meet the assured admissions requirements for first time students.

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) to the University’s Office of Admissions. Failure to disclose all previously attended institutions will be seen as a deliberate attempt to withhold academic history and may be reason for denied admissions and/or dismissal.

F. Home Schooled Students

Home schooled students shall be considered for admissions under the same requirements as First Time students.

G. Returning Students

Students returning to the University of Wyoming after not registering for classes for three or more consecutive semesters, including a summer term will need to submit a new application, provide official transcripts from all institution(s) attended since leaving the University of Wyoming, and be in good academic standing. Failure to disclose information about all institution(s) attended will be seen as a deliberate attempt to withhold academic history and may be reason for denied admissions and/or dismissal. Returning students must have a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA from all undergraduate institutions.

Students suspended from the University of Wyoming must complete the reinstatement process. Academic reinstatement to the University of Wyoming does not constitute admissions to the institution. Students seeking reinstatement are required to meet admissions eligibility and criteria.

H. Holistic Alternative Admission

The University has the discretion to admit students who do not qualify under the above-described criteria.

III. International Students

Admission of international students is governed by the Admission Policy for International Students. This Policy is supplementary to the general admission policies described in this Regulation and provides for general admission standards for all international student applicants, including procedures for review and consultation with the various academic colleges and departments.

The Admission Policy for International Students shall be maintained and revised as determined by the Provost. Revisions are subject to the approval of both the Provost and the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, and shall become effective from the date of their approval.

The Admission Policy for International Students shall be published and distributed by the Office of Admissions and will be available through the Admission Office’s website.

IV. High School Guests

High school students requesting admission as high school guests must submit transcripts demonstrating a cumulative high school GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale (official high school transcripts must be sent directly from the high school to the Office of Admission); a written recommendation from a high school counselor or principal; and official ACT or SAT test scores, if any.

V. Non-Degree Students

The non-degree admission status is a special status that is not available to international students or students who have a suspension status at UW or another college or university.

Applicants seeking admission as non-degree undergraduate students must submit an application and a one-time nonrefundable application fee to the Office of Admissions. Under this admission status, undergraduate students may take a maximum of eight (8) credit hours per semester and cannot apply more than twelve (12) total credits taken as a non-degree student toward an undergraduate degree.

VI. Second Bachelor’s Degree Students

Students who have received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming and are seeking a second bachelor’s degree, but have not taken coursework since graduation, must submit a new application.

Students who have received a bachelor’s degree from another institution, or who graduated from the University of Wyoming and have taken courses at another institution since leaving the University, must submit an application, a one-time nonrefundable application fee, and official transcripts from each previously-attended higher education institution. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the University’s Office of Admissions.

Graduate Admission

I. Graduate Applicants

Prospective students are encouraged to consult with their respective academic department regarding the admission process before making a formal UW application.

Applicants must submit the UW graduate application and the nonrefundable application fee. One set of official transcripts must be sent directly to the UW Admissions Office from each previous collegiate institution.

Domestic applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. All applicants should have at least a 3.000 cumulative GPA (scale of 4.000).

Some graduate programs may require standardized examination scores for admission.

Applicants whose department requires the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must request official scores be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Our institution code with ETS is 4855.

Some departments may require scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), rather than the GRE.

Letters of recommendation may also be required by some departments. Please see the academic department or program entries elsewhere in the Catalog for details about admission requirements.

Graduate applicants should contact the respective academic departments for questions concerning application status, degree program requirements, deadlines, and supplemental application materials they may require.

A. Admission Status Categories

Advanced-degree applicants may be admitted to the University of Wyoming in one of the following categories:

  1. Admitted Graduate Student signifies the applicant has been accepted by the university and by a major department to work toward an advanced degree.
  2. Conditional admission of a Graduate Student signifies the applicant did not meet the formal admission requirements but has sufficient potential that the university and the major department are convinced that the student will be successful as an advanced-degree candidate. Conditions are usually placed on such students in the form of performance criteria for the first one or two semesters. If the conditions of admission are not met within first two semesters, the student may be denied admission to the university graduate program and the degree program. At minimum, conditionally admitted graduate students must maintain a 3.000 GPA through their first semester. Failure to do so will result in revocation of admission. More restrictive conditions may be defined by the department.

Students admitted with graduate standing may elect to take any undergraduate or graduate courses for which they are prepared, subject to restrictions as outlined in the University Catalog. However, tuition will be assessed at the graduate level for all courses taken with graduate status. Admission to graduate study does not automatically make a student a candidate for an advanced degree.

Note: Students working toward a second bachelor’s degree are not considered graduate students and are subject to all undergraduate regulations.

B. Alternative Track Graduate Admissions (ATA)

Alternative Track graduate admissions are only available to individuals who have had at least two years* of relevant post-baccalaureate professional experience and whose undergraduate cumulative GPA is less than 3.000. Applicants who do not meet these basic criteria must be considered via regular graduate admissions. Applicants who do not meet the basic institutional, college and/or program regular admissions criteria may be considered for conditional admission.

Admission via the Alternative Track is full graduate admission. If a student is admitted via ATA, they are admitted fully and are not subject to any of the restrictions that would come with conditional admission. No conditional admissions will be allowed under Alternative Track admissions; all conditional admissions must go through the regular track admissions process.

*Programs may specify a longer period of post-baccalaureate professional experience. Please consult with the program in which you are interested.

Alternative Track Application Materials

The following must be submitted by the applicant to be considered for Alternative Track admission: