First-Year Student Admission
Completing an Application:
Students are considered first-year when they are applying to attend UNC immediately following high school graduation.
Applications should be completed online at www.unco.edu/admissions. Admission decisions will not be rendered until application files are complete which includes the online application and supplemental required documentation. In certain circumstances, additional information may be required.
First-year applicants must submit:
- Online application for admission
- $50 non-refundable application fee (or need-based waiver)
- 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.
** Note: Starting in fall 2019, emphasis will be placed on students' GPA for admission. Test scores are required for scholarship and placement purposes.
Documents that may be requested:
- Personal Statement
- 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 after obtaining their GED should apply as transfer students.
First-year students who obtained a GED should submit:
- Online application for admission
- $50 non-refundable application fee (or need-based waiver)
- Official high school transcripts to the point of stop-out (encouraged, but not required)
- Official GED scores
- Personal Statement
Documents that may be requested:
- Crime or suspension documentation
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- 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.
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 that will prevent the student from registering for classes. Final high school transcripts or other proof of high school graduation (for example, a diploma) are required for transfer students who have not obtained an associate degree.
First-Year Application Deadlines
UNC is a rolling admission institution. Applications completed by the Priority Deadline receive priority consideration for admission, financial aid, and scholarships.
| Fall |
August 1 |
February 1 |
August 1 |
Students will not be admitted after the add deadline of each semester for the 16 week fall/spring calendar which can be found on the Office of the Registrar website. For summer term, students will not be admitted after the latest session's add deadline.
Admission Requirements:
Minimum admission standards are set by the State of Colorado's Department of Higher Education.
Students must meet the Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR) which include:
- 4 units of Math
- 4 units of English
- 3 units of Natural Science
- 3 units of Social Science
- 1 unit of World Language
- 2 units of Academic Electives
UNC gives priority consideration to students with higher than a 3.0 GPA who 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, ACT/SAT scores and personal situations 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.
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. Please refer to the academic areas of the catalog for additional program requirements.
High School Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Coursework and Credit by Exam:
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. 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. For information about how courses and exam scores (AP, IB, CLEP, etc.) will transfer to UNC, see the catalog section Transfer Evaluation.
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 application. Transfer applicants who were home schooled are required to submit a final high school transcript if they have fewer than 24 transferable credit hours. Proof of high school graduation is required for transfer students who do not have an AA/AS degree.
Early High School Graduates:
Students who graduate early from high school are held to the same standard of admission as first-year students and should apply as such. High school academics and HEAR requirements are expected to be met. In addition to the first-year application and supporting materials, students will need to submit the Early Graduate Supplemental Information Form.
ASCENT Students:
Students who are participating in the Colorado Department of Education’s ASCENT program and wish to attend UNC after their fifth year 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 email. Student participating in ASCENT should provide an official copy of their college transcripts with their application for admission (if available at time of application).
If a student wishes to enroll at UNC for their ASCENT year, or fifth year of high school, they will be held to the same standard of admission as first-year students and should apply as such. In addition to the first-year application and supporting materials, students will need to submit the ASCENT Supplemental Information Form.
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®. For information regarding using Veteran Benefits, please visit www.unco.edu/registrar/registrar-veteran-services/. 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 the individual attention they deserve.
PLEASE NOTE: All UNC admission based scholarships, including but not limited to the UNC Provost, Presidential & Trustee awards, are considered by UNC to be the university's match for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid about other scholarship applicability.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.