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Freshman Students

Freshman Application Priority Deadlines
  • Fall
    June 15 ($50 non-refundable fee)
     
    July 15 (Document deadline)
  • Spring
    December 15 ($50 non-refundable fee)
     
    January 9 (Document deadline)
  • Summer
    June 1 ($50 non-refundable fee)
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CONTACT US
  • Office of Admissions
    One Main Street, GSB 308
    Houston, TX 77002
    Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Email Address: uhdadmit@uhd.edu 
  • Phone: 713-221-8522
  • ​Request Information: Submit Form

 

Fall
June 1 ($50 non-refundable fee)
 
July 15 (Document deadline)

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is thrilled to offer you the opportunity to earn your bachelor's degree!

Pursue your college journey at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), where opportunity meets excellence. As a freshman, you’ll experience small classes, affordable tuition, dedicated faculty, and a vibrant campus in the heart of Houston. Whether you're discovering your passions or planning your career path, UHD offers the support you need to succeed.

UHD student smiling

Applying as a Freshman Student

Freshman applicants are individuals who are, or will soon become, high school graduates, GED recipients, or home-schooled graduates. They have earned fewer than 15 college-level credit hours or have not enrolled in a college or university for a full semester (fall or spring) since completing high school.

Freshman Application Process

Apply Online icon

Apply online using the UHD Direct Freshman Application.
Review Icon

Submit Official High School Transcripts​.
*NOTE: High school students who have attended early college and/or completed dual credit coursework should also submit ​official college transcripts​ to avoid delays in awarding of eligible transfer credit, and for Texas Success Initiative​ (TSI) purposes.​​
hand with money symbol

Pay non-refundable $50 application fee. Check your email for a link to your myUHD student portal where you can pay the fee. Freshman applicants may qualify for an application fee waiver.
 

Simply complete the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) Fee Waiver Form​ in its entirety and submit a PDF copy through your myUHD account using the following steps:

  1. Log in to your myUHD​ account
  2. Select the "Student Center" tile
  3. Locate your To-Do List on the top right side of the page
  4. Select "Details/Upload Document"
  5. Select the "Upload/View Document" link for the "UGRD Fee Waiver Form"
  6. Select the "Upload File" button and select your completed Fee Waiver Form in PDF format and navigate through the prompts

*PLEASE NOTE: Fee Waiver Forms that are not complete (with University Name, Student Information, Authorized Official Information, AND Economic Need) will not be accepted.

The application fee waiver is only available to new applicants who have not already submitted their application and associated application fee. Once an application fee is submitted, the fee is valid for one calendar year from the date of payment and is non-refundable.

 

Test Optional

UHD is test optional for freshman admissions consideration. On your admissions application, you can elect to apply with or without submitting official SAT​ or ACT scores.

If electing to apply without test scores, please be advised you are still asked to submit all official SAT and/or ACT scores in order to fulfill TSI requirement, for scholarships consideration, and to expedite enrollment into classes post-admission.
The College Board SAT school code for UHD is 6922. The ACT school code for UHD is 4170.

Freshman Admissions Criteria

You qualify for admission to UHD if you meet the Texas Uniform Admissions Policy and the requirements below:

Class Rank​ Minimum SAT Total
(Reading and Writing & Math) and H.S. GPA		 ​ACT Composite Score
(English, Math, Reading, and Science) and H.S. GPA
​Top Quarter 1-25% ​Guaranteed Admission
Submit Official Score Report​		 ​Guaranteed Admission
Submit Official Score Report
Second Quarter 26-50% 930 or 2.5 GPA 18 or 2.5 GPA
Third Quarter and Fourth Quarter 51-99% or No Rank ​930 and 2.5 GPA ​18 and 2.5 GPA
​GED or Home School 930 ​18
 
Test scores are only valid if they are within a five-year period of the testing date.
UHD freshman applicants have the option to apply for admission with or without SAT/ACT test scores. Please note that if admitted without test scores, students will still need to fulfill the TSI requirement​ prior to enrollment into classes. Delays in submission of official test scores will result in delay of new student orientation registration, academic advising, and enrollment into courses.
 
On your application, you will select whether you want your application to be reviewed with test scores or without test scores (test optional). The test optional policy applies to both domestic and international freshman students.
 
Please note, freshman-transfer and GED/Homeschool students are not eligible to be test optional. These applicants must submit an SAT and/or ACT test score in addition to the official transcript.
 
No Class Rank
We understand some applicants attend non-traditional or non-ranking schools who do not provide a class rank. Applicants without a class rank will still be considered for admission. Applicants in these situations should conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the test optional pathway or admission review with test scores would be more favorable.

The test optional policy provides a level of flexibility and removes a barrier that many face. Our team of Admissions experts are prepared to review each applicant carefully to ensure they meet our admission requirements.
 
​State of Texas Uniform Admissions Policy​​

Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.803-51.809 requires all students meet college readiness standards to be eligible for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution. Texas Uniform Admission Policy.

Additional Applicant Information

Freshman-Transfer applicants have graduated high school, completed at least one fall or spring semester in college, and earned fewer than 15 college-level credits. They must follow Freshman application procedures, submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, and provide SAT and/or ACT scores, as test-optional is not available.

Applicants must submit an official GED/Certificate of High School Equivalency with test scores in PDF format via email directly from the issuing authority to UHD at UHDETranscripts@uhd.edu. Students who completed their GED in Texas can request their official transcript through the Texas Education Agency website.

PLEASE NOTE: PDF transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing company and directly to the UHDETranscripts@uhd.edu email address to be considered official.

Additionally, students are required to submit official SAT and/or ACT test scores. Please note, GED applicants are not eligible to be test optional. These applicants must submit an SAT and/or ACT test score in addition to the official transcript.

Home schooled applicants are evaluated for admission on the same basis as students from public and other private high schools. Please note, homeschool applicants are not eligible to be test optional. These applicants must submit an SAT and/or ACT test score in addition to the official transcript.​

Students who have earned Credit by Examination (​​AP/CLEP​/IB​)​​ should submit official scores to UHD. For more information visit the credit by examination page. Incoming freshmen can view the International Baccalaureate (IB) course equivalency table. ​

Application processing time can vary depending on the time of year. Normal processing time is 4-5 business days once all required application materials are received. During peak periods (one month prior to the start of a semester), processing times can increase to 8-10 business days.

 

If you have any questions, please contact the Transfer Relations team at uhdadmit@uhd.edu or by phone at 713-221-8522.