First-Year Domestic Students - The University of Tulsa
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First-Year Domestic Students

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You are considered a first-year domestic student if you are a U.S. citizen and are entering college for the first time. First-year domestic students have never attended another university unless it was to earn concurrent/dual enrollment credit. Permanent residents and refugees should also apply as first-year domestic applicants.

Apply as a First-Year Domestic Student

It makes no difference to TU which application you use. Choose the one convenient for you.

Fall 2024 Application Deadlines

Complete Application ByAdmission Notification By
Early Action INovember 1December 15
Early Action IIFebruary 1February 15

All application documents, including transcripts, must be received by this date.

Regular decision notifications begin on February 16.

All admission decisions are non-binding; admitted students have until May 1 to make their college decisions.

  • What do I need to submit?

    To be considered for admission, First-Year Domestic Students must submit the following:

    • Application for admission (See above for the two application platform options.)
    • Official high school transcript (Request your transcript to be sent directly from your school to The University of Tulsa.)
    • $50 application fee

    While not required, we strongly encourage First-Year Domestic Students to submit the following:

    • SAT or ACT results (Information on TU’s Test Optional Policy can be found here.)
    • Essay (Essay prompts are on the application for admission.)
    • A School Report Form and/or a counselor recommendation (Request this to be sent directly to The University of Tulsa. The Report/Recommendation form can be found here.)
    • A School Profile (sent from your high school counselor)
    • A Talk with Tulsa interview with an admission counselor (Click “Meet with Me” on your counselor’s page to schedule an appointment.)

    Other circumstances: 

    • Students who’ve earned a GED must submit an official record of the GED scores (not the diploma) and a final high school transcript from the last school attended.
    • Home school students should refer to the Home School Checklist for additional requirements.
    • Permanent Residents with green cards must have their status documented. Please submit a scanned copy of both sides of your Permanent Resident “green card” to apply@utulsa.edu.
    • Students who are 21 years of age or older could be asked to submit additional testing records if deemed necessary by the admission committee.

    The admission committee may request additional information before finalizing an admission decision to help determine fit for TU. This information might include an admission interview, an updated test score, a writing sample and/or personal statement, an updated transcript, etc.

    Materials can be emailed to apply@utulsa.edu. Counselors can upload materials via a secured electronic software system such as slate.org, SCOIR, parchment, etc.

  • Will I be admitted to TU?

    The University of Tulsa consists of students of diverse backgrounds and cultures and with varied interests who make a positive difference on campus and in their communities. TU students are committed to the university’s core values: excellence in scholarship, dedication to free inquiry, integrity of character, and commitment to humanity.

    We utilize a holistic review for each applicant to select students whom we think will thrive at TU. During the review process we consider many things including, but not limited to, strength of high school curriculum, grades within that curriculum, grade trends from year to year and within each discipline, writing ability, recommendation letters, co-curricular activities (including work and home responsibilities), community involvement, interest in TU, and standardized test scores if available.

    While no minimum GPA is required for admission, a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher is typical to be competitive. And, while ACT/SAT scores are optional, they’re strongly encouraged. Standardized test scores in the 80th percentile or higher nationally are generally considered competitive for admission when accompanied by other criteria that indicate potential academic success.

    We use TULSA as an acronym to represent the important factors in our review process:

    Time
    Understanding the TU environment
    Leadership
    Service
    Academics

    We encourage every applicant to provide as much information as possible when applying to TU – through the required application materials and all optional aspects of the application process. A robust application file allows our admission committee to conduct a thorough review process to make accurate and fair decisions. Should you have any questions, please contact your TU admission counselor.

  • What types of scholarships and financial aid are available?

    The TU Office of Admission awards scholarships based on a holistic approach centered around the following criteria:

    • Grade Point Average
    • ACT/SAT Scores
    • High School Curriculum
    • Academic Accomplishments
    • Letters of Recommendation
    • Writing Samples

    Scholarships are awarded at the time of admission and a separate application is not required with the exception of The University of Tulsa Presidential Scholarship.

    For official consideration of federal, state, and university need-based aid, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

    Families are encouraged to use the Net Price Calculator (NPC) to get an estimate of scholarship funding and any need-based aid that might be offered.

    Once you have your financial aid offer, you can meet with your admission counselor to go through the information together and determine your out-of-pocket cost.

  • Who is my admission counselor?

    At TU, admission counselors get to know you personally. They are by your side from day one and remain there until you have made your college choice. Their goal is to give you a personalized experience you won’t find at other schools.