Freshman Students
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FallJune 15 ($50 non-refundable fee)July 15 (Document deadline)
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SpringDecember 15 ($50 non-refundable fee)January 9 (Document deadline)
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SummerJune 1 ($50 non-refundable fee)
- 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
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.

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
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Apply online using the UHD Direct Freshman Application. |
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Submit Official High School Transcripts. |
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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:
*PLEASE NOTE: Fee Waiver Forms that are not complete (with University Name, Student Information,
Authorized Official Information, AND Economic Need) will not be accepted. |
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
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 |
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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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.