Undergraduate Admissions

For entering freshmen, admission is based on:

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

Students must submit a high school transcript reflecting satisfactory completion of the CPC. Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing agency.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, 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. 

*Students entering in the 2024-2025 academic year who are unable to access an ACT or SAT exam may be admitted without a standardized test score. Students who complete the CPC with a minimum 2.0 GPA on the CPC will be evaluated for admission.

*Although we are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2024-2025 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:

• Completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum 2.0 high school GPA.

OR

• Meeting certification requirements for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Nonresident applicants who meet the Mississippi criteria are then evaluated for admission based on the following:

• core grade point average (GPA);
• availability of seats in the incoming class; and
• rigor of high school curriculum.

Successful candidates are encouraged to apply early, as admission is granted on a rolling basis until the university reaches capacity. It is suggested that candidates apply no later than April 1 of their senior year, for best 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 or until passing the placement exam administered by the Department of Developmental Studies.

Mathematics: Additionally, 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 or until passing the placement exam administered by the Department of Developmental Studies.

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 two semesters of Developmental Support Lab. 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 are home-schooled or who have not successfully completed high school must submit standard test scores (ACT composite minimum of 18 or 960 on the SAT) and successfully complete the Accuplacer test (see “Other Admission Criteria”).

Home-schooled students: Home-schooled students must present summaries of their educational experiences, which may include portfolios and transcripts, as well as standardized test scores (ACT composite minimum of 18 or 960 on the SAT).

Not completed high school: Students who are not high school graduates must present a High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or, in some cases, may qualify as undergraduate special students (see below). Applicants who have not graduated from a regionally accredited high school and were not home-schooled must submit a High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma and any transcripts reflecting academic performance in high school.

All applicants may be required, at the discretion of the admitting IHL institution, to appear for an on-campus interview.

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 the Developmental Support Lab during the first two semesters 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.
• Be in good academic and conduct standing in high school (includes public, private, parochial, or home-educated.)
• Have secured permission from high school principal to attend.
• 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.