First-Year Student Admission
Completing an Application
Students are considered first-year when they are applying to attend UNC immediately following high school graduation or if they have taken only remedial coursework after high school graduation.
Applications should be completed online at www.unco.edu/admissions. All applicants must submit all required documentation. Admission decisions will not be rendered until applications are complete. In certain circumstances, additional information may be required.
First-Year Applicants should submit:
- Online application for admission
- $45 non-refundable application fee
- Official High School Transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores –writing sections are not used for admission or scholarship consideration. ACT/SAT scores are not required if an applicant is over 23 years of age or older or has been out of high school for five or more years.
Documents that may be requested:
- Insight Questionnaire
- Crime or suspension documentation
- Letter(s) of Recommendation
First-year GED Applicants:
Students are considered first-year GED applicants if they obtained a GED and have not attended a post-secondary institution or if they have taken only remedial coursework after GED receipt. Students who obtained a GED & have taken college-level coursework post-GED should apply as transfer students.
Students who obtained GED should submit:
- Online application for admission
- $45 non-refundable application fee
- Official High School Transcripts to the point of stop-out
- ACT or SAT scores if available - ACT/SAT scores are not required if an applicant is over 23 years of age or older or has been out of high school for five or more years.
- Official GED scores
- Personal Statement
Documents that may be requested:
- Crime or suspension documentation
- Letter(s) of Recommendation
Final High School Transcript
Final high school transcripts are required for all incoming first-year students. First-year students must submit final high school transcripts or a registration hold will be placed on their account.
Application Deadlines
UNC is a rolling admission institution. Applications completed by the Priority Deadline receive priority consideration for admission, financial aid, and scholarships. All deadlines are 11:59 pm Mountain Standard Time of date posted.
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Semester
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Application Opens
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Priority Deadline
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Deadline
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Fall
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August 1
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March 1
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August 1
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Spring
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February 1
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November 1
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December 1
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Admission Requirements
First-year students are expected to have successfully completed the Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR) set forth by the Colorado Department of Higher Education. For students graduating high school 2010 or later, this includes 17 academic units including:
- 4 years of Math
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of Natural/Physical Science
- 3 years of Social Science
- 1 year of Foreign Language
- 2 years of Academic Electives
For more information about HEAR requirements, visit http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Admissions/coursecompletion.html.
UNC gives priority consideration to students with higher than a 3.0 GPA that successfully complete the HEAR requirements. Students are expected to get passing grades to be admissible to UNC. While a grade of D is considered passing, grades of C- or better are encouraged.
Students who do not have a 3.0 GPA and/or do not meet the HEAR requirements are encouraged to apply to UNC as the admission process recognizes each student’s unique circumstances. Items such as course rigor, trends in grades, high school type, personal situations, and other non-cognitive variables are considered in the admission process.
The academic records of graduates from high schools that are not state approved will be examined in greater depth for admission purposes.
Minimum admission standards are set by the State of Colorado’s Department of Higher Education.
First-year GED Applicants:
GED Applicants who take the 2014 edition of the test will be considered for admission if a score of 150 or higher has been achieved in each of the four areas of the test.
Applicants who took the GED prior to 2002 are candidates for admission with an average score of 55 or higher. Applicants who took the GED between 2002 and 2013 are candidates for admission with an average score of 550 or higher.
If GED scores fall below these requirements, we encourage you to speak with an admission counselor to determine admission eligibility requirements.
Programs with Additional Admission Requirements
Admission into UNC does not mean admission into all majors. The following programs have additional admission requirements that must be met. Please refer to the academic areas of the catalog for additional program requirements.
High School Concurrent Coursework
Students who have completed college coursework from a regionally accredited institution while in high school must submit an official transcript from the college/university before the coursework will be evaluated. A grade of C- or better is required for courses to transfer. Remedial and some technical/vocational credits may not transfer. College credit completed while in high school may count towards UNC degree requirements but cannot be used to classify a student as a transfer student for admission and/or transfer scholarship eligibility purposes.
Home School Applicants
Home school applicants are held to the same standard of admission as first-year and transfer students. Official high school transcripts with coursework and graduation date must be submitted for enrollment at UNC. If a first-year student is applying in the middle of their senior year, current transcripts should be submitted at time of admission.
Early High School Graduates
Students who graduate early from high school are held to the same standard of admission as first-year students. High school academics and HEAR requirements are still expected to be met. If a student’s graduation date is not posted on the transcript prior to enrollment at UNC, students will be considered for concurrent enrollment until high school graduation. Students wishing to enroll at UNC who are considered early high school graduates should complete the Early Graduate Supplemental Information Form available on the UNC web site at www.unco.edu/admissions.
ASCENT Students
Students who are participating in the Colorado Department of Education’s ASCENT program should apply to UNC as first-year students. If high school transcripts do not note ASCENT participation, students should inform the Office of Admissions of their participation in the program via phone or email. Student participating in ASCENT should provide an official copy of their college transcripts with their application for admission.
Military Students
Applicants who have served or are currently serving in the US military should apply as either a first-year or transfer student depending on their academic record. UNC participates in the Yellow Ribbon program as well as other VA Education Benefits such as the Post 9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill’s. UNC’s Veterans Services office is located in Roudebush Cottage and acts as a liaison and advocate for our military student community by providing the appropriate resources and giving each student individual attention they deserve.