Undergraduate Admissions

For entering freshmen, admission is based on:

• the submission of an application (the university’s application or the Common Application); and
• completion of the required units of the Mississippi College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC); and
• high school cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA); and
• either an ACT or SAT test score*.

Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing agency. Our ACT code is 2250 and our SAT/College Board code is 1840.

The university will accept super scores (highest subject tests from ACT/SAT when scores from multiple test dates are submitted) for admission. Subject test scores must be from the same exam type (ACT or SAT) to create a super score. The university will calculate superscores if one isn’t provided. 

*Although we are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2025-2026 academic year, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs, and for academic placement.

Mississippi residents are admitted based on meeting one of the following criteria:

1. Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator; OR
2. Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator or a class rank in the top 50%; and have an ACT composite score of 16 or higher (or SAT equivalent); OR
3. Completing high school graduation requirements and the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) or completing equivalent requirements as determined by the University of Mississippi; and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 as reported by the high school or as calculated by the University of Mississippi using an IHL-approved unweighted cumulative GPA calculator; and have an ACT composite score of 18 or higher (or SAT equivalent). 

Any student who does not meet the above requirements may be granted full admission by satisfying the NCAA Division I standards for student athletes who are "full qualifiers" or "academic redshirts". 

Non-resident applicants are evaluated for admission based on the following:

• Completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC); and
• Cumulative unweighted grade point average (GPA); and
• ACT/SAT scores 
  • Optional for students with 3.2 unweighted cumulative GPA or higher
  • Strongly recommended for students with less than a 3.2 unweighted cumulative GPA; and
• rigor of high school curriculum; and 
• availability of seats in the incoming class.

Non-resident students are encouraged to apply early, as admission is granted on a competitive, rolling basis until the university reaches capacity. It is suggested that students apply and submit required documents no later than February 1 of their senior year, for priority consideration.

Reading and English:  Students whose ACT subtest score in reading and/or English is less than 17 (or less than 470 on the SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first year of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade.

Mathematics: Students whose ACT subtest score in mathematics is less than 19 (or less than 510 on the SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first year of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade. Students may also choose to take the ALEKS placement exam in order to enroll in non-developmental math classes.

Other Test Scores: Students with ACT subtest scores of 17, 18, or 19 are encouraged to enroll in developmental courses. Those students who enroll in two or more developmental courses also are required to complete one semester of Edhe 105. Enrollment in developmental courses is limited to students with subtest scores below 20 except with permission of the department. 

Developmental courses completed at other postsecondary institutions before enrolling at the University of Mississippi may be considered to meet developmental requirements.

Non-Accredited High Schools

Applicants who have completed high school from a school that does not hold regional accreditation must submit the following:

• Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form; and
• ACT or SAT scores and GPA based on Mississippi admission requirements.

Home-schooled students:

• Home-school transcripts or portfolio summarizing home school education; and
• ACT or SAT scores and GPA based on Mississippi admission requirement; and
• Final official notarized transcript.

Not completed high school:

• Passing scores on a state approved high school equivalency examination; and
• an ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of at least 960.

Applicants who have completed a non-domestic high school or attended a non-domestic institution of higher learning (including those not accredited by or in candidate status with an accreditation body recognized by an appropriate U.S. Federal Agency) may be admitted in another admissions category or on the basis of the following:

• Transcripts reflecting academic performance or a secondary school leaving form; or
• ACT or SAT scores.

Other Admission Criteria

Residents of Mississippi who apply and do not meet the admission requirements stated above may enter the comprehensive screening process (counseling and testing) held on campus and at other designated locations prior to the beginning of the first summer session.

The comprehensive screening process will consider student interests, special skills, experiences, and other non-cognitive factors. After counseling, students will take a computer-based examination (Accuplacer) to assist the University in their admission decision.

Students who pass the Accuplacer test will be admitted for the fall term and will be encouraged to participate in Edhe 105 during the first semester of enrollment.

Undergraduate Special Students

A student who is at least 21 years of age, has been out of school for at least three years, and cannot present an acceptable high school record may be admitted to the university for such courses as he or she may be prepared to enter.

This category is reserved for those who have had delays or interruption of the traditional sequence of educational pursuits. A person admitted as a special student is admitted with the same retention standards as degree-seeking students.

Special students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on 12 hours of coursework to become degree-seeking students. After meeting this requirement, the special student may become a regularly enrolled student, and the work completed while in the special status may be applied toward a degree. Failure to meet the stated requirements will result in academic suspension.

While in special student status, a student may not register for more than 12 hours in a semester or summer session and will not qualify for financial aid programs.

Unclassified Students

Applicants who have already received a baccalaureate degree may enroll in the university if they desire to take courses for personal or professional improvement at the 400 level or below or are pursuing a second undergraduate degree.

Generally, students pursuing a second undergraduate degree will not be permitted to take graduate courses, but under certain circumstances, with the approval of the appropriate academic dean, they may enroll as unclassified students in 500-level courses.

Visiting Students

A student who regularly attends another recognized institution and who plans to return to that institution may be admitted to the university as a visiting student. 

The applicant must comply with the general requirements for admission and, in lieu of transcripts of credits, may submit a letter or certificate of good standing from an official of the institution that the student regularly attends. A student admitted to the summer session as a visiting student may elect to enroll in the university’s next regular session. The student can qualify by submitting transcripts of credits from the other institutions attended and by meeting the requirements applicable to transfer students. If the student has attended the University of Mississippi previously, he or she must be re-admissible.

Summer College for High School Students is a four-week academic program for high-achieving high school students who want to experience university life.

Participants in Summer College have the opportunity to gain dual credit (high school and college) for classes taken during the summer. This program is offered in both residential and virtual formats.

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Be a minimum of 15 years old by first day of the program; and
• Be in good academic and conduct standing in high school (includes public, private, parochial, or home-educated); and
• Have secured permission from high school principal to attend; and 
• Meet one of two admissions options listed below:
  • OPTION 1: 14 CPC (College Preparatory Curriculum) high school credits by the end of the current school year AND minimum 3.0 GPA
  • OPTION 2: Minimum cumulative score of 30 on the ACT (or SAT equivalent) AND minimum 3.0 GPA

For more information about Summer College and other dual credit programs, visit the Office of Pre-College Programs.