High School Graduates Before 1997 Admission Requirements

Students walking outside on campus

If you graduated from high school prior to 1997, and you are ready to continue your education, here are the requirements for admission.

You must first meet the core course requirements listed below for general admission. If you would like to study in a specific college, you must meet their specific requirements to be admitted.

Note: Students who only meet general admission requirements will be admitted to and advised in the Explore Center.

Core Course Requirements

A unit is one year of high school study or a semester/quarter of college coursework.

Core Courses

Required academic courses
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 4 units:
  • 2 units of English.
  • 1 unit of English composition.
  • 1 unit drawn from English, speech, journalism, literature or world language.
Mathematics 2 units:
  • 1 unit of algebra.
  • 1 unit of geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, calculus or algebra-based computer science.
Natural Sciences 2 units:
Units may be selected from biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and/or life sciences.
Social Sciences 2 units:
Units may be selected from American government, American history, anthropology, world history, psychology and/or sociology.
Class Rank or ACT/SAT Must have taken the above courses:
  • OR graduate in the upper half of your class
  • OR score 20 or higher on the ACT
  • OR score a total of 950 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections.
Transfer Requirements Must have
  • a cumulative GPA of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher
  • AND a 2.0 for the most recent term attended.

College-Specific Requirements

College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
Agricultural sciences and natural resources requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 4 units:
  • 3 units of English.
  • 1 unit of language arts.
Math 3 units
Natural Sciences 2 units
Social Sciences 2 units
Electives 5 units
Transfer Requirements Must have
  • a cumulative GPA of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher
  • AND a 2.0 for the most recent term attended.
College of Architecture
Architecture requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 4 units:
  • 2 units of English.
  • 1 unit of English composition.
  • 1 unit drawn from speech, journalism, literature or world language.
Math PreArch:
  • 2 units algebra.
  • 1 unit geometry.
  • .5 unit trigonometry or precalculus.
Pre-Interior Design:
  • 2 units algebra.
  • 1 unit from geometry, trigonometry, or precalculus.
Natural Sciences 2 units:
Units may be selected from biology, botany, chemistry, geology and/or physics.
Social Sciences 2 units:
Units may be selected from American government, American history, anthropology, world history, psychology and/or sociology.
Other Requirements Pre-Arch Only:
First-year students must submit completed application materials by March 15. Students will be admitted only once per year, with classes beginning fall semester.
Class Rank or ACT/SAT
  • Graduate in the upper 25% of your high school class
  • OR have an ACT composite score of 22 or higher
  • OR an SAT combined score of 970 or higher (Critical Reading and Math sections only).
Transfer Requirements

In addition to the above requirements, must have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 and be in good standing.

Pre-Arch Only:
Must submit materials by Feb.
College of Arts & Sciences
Arts and sciences requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 3 units:
Units must include literature or composition.
Math 3 units:
  • 2 units of algebra.
  • 1 unit geometry.
World Language 2 units:
Both units must be in the same language.
Other Requirements 8 units:
Units may be selected from English, natural sciences, math, social sciences and/or world language.
Transfer Requirements Must have:
  • a cumulative GPA of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher
  • AND a 2.0 for the most recent term attended.
NOTE: Requirements differ for pre-professional programs.
College of Business
College of Business Requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 3 units
Math 3 units:
  • 2 units of algebra.
  • 1 unit geometry.
Other Requirements 5 units:
Must include 2 units of world language OR 2 units of social sciences.
Electives 5 units
Transfer Requirements Must have:
  • a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • AND 2.0 for the most recent term attended.
College of Education & Human Sciences
Education & Human Sciences Requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 7 units:
  • 4 units of language arts.
  • 3 units of English, including 1 unit of English composition AND 1 unit drawn from speech, journalism, literature or world language.
Math 2 units:

Must include 1 unit of geometry, advanced algebra or trigonometry.

Note: General math is not accepted.
Natural Sciences 2 units:
Units may be drawn from biology, chemistry, earth, general sciences, life and/or physics.
Social Sciences 2 units:
Units may be drawn from American government, American history, anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, sociology or world history.
Electives 6 units
Class Rank or ACT/SAT
  • Graduate in the upper half of your class
  • OR have an ACT composite score of 20 or higher
  • OR an SAT combined score of 950 or higher.
Transfer Requirements Must have:
  • a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • AND 2.0 for the most recent term attended.
College of Engineering
Engineering Requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 2 units
Math 3½ units:
  • 2 units algebra.
  • 1 unit of geometry.
  • 1 unit pre-calculus/trigonometry.
Natural Sciences 2 units:
  • 1 unit of physics.
  • 1 unit chemistry.
Other Requirements 4 units:
Units may be selected from English, math, natural sciences, social sciences or world language.
Electives 3½ units
Class Rank or ACT/SAT Must have:
  • an ACT composite score of 24 or higher
  • OR an SAT combined score of 1110 or higher.
Transfer Requirements
  • In-State Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Out-of-state students from ABET or CEAB accredited engineering schools must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Out-of-state students from other colleges and universities must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts
Fine & Performing Arts Requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 3 units:
Units must include literature or composition.
Math 3 units:
  • 2 units of algebra.
  • 1 unit geometry.
World Language 2 units:
Both units must be in the same language.
Other Requirements 8 units:

Units may be selected from English, math, natural sciences, social sciences or world language.

Note: An audition is required for music majors or minors. View audition dates/times.
Transfer Requirements Must have:
  • cumulative GPA of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
  • AND a 2.0 for the most recent term attended.
College of Journalism & Mass Communications
Journalism & Mass Communications Requirements
Category Requirements
English/Language Arts 3 units
Mathematics 3 units:
  • 2 units of algebra.
  • 1 unit geometry.
World Language 2 units:
Both units must be in the same language.
Other Requirements 9 units:
Units may be selected from English, math, natural sciences, social sciences or world language.
Transfer Requirements Must have:
  • cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher
  • AND a 2.0 for the most recent term attended.

Transcript

You will self-report your academic record when completing your application for admission. Use an unofficial transcript to fill in your information.

ACT/SAT

Note: You are not required to submit an ACT/SAT score to be considered for admission. While not required, all first-year applicants under the age of 23 are encouraged to submit an official ACT/SAT score for full scholarship consideration. We will offer you the best scholarship award possible based on either your GPA alone or the combination of your GPA and highest composite ACT/SAT score.

After you've taken the ACT/SAT, submit a request to the testing institution to send us your official scores. Our codes are the following:

  • ACT: 2482
  • SAT: 6877

Application Deadlines

  • Summer/Fall: May 1
  • Spring: December 1

Any application received after the published deadline may be placed on a waitlist. The Admissions Committee will prioritize the waitlist based upon candidates that meet Nebraska's assured admission requirements.

Note: There is no guarantee of admission for waitlist applicants.

Application Fee

There is a $45 application fee payable with a credit card or a check. If you participate in the free/reduced lunch program or are a military service member, military spouse or military dependent, you may request to waive this fee at the end of the application. Make the check payable to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and put the applicant's full name on the memo line.

Note: You do not need to pay the $45 admission fee if you have applied for undergraduate admission at UNK or UNO within the last year and submitted an application fee to either of those campuses.

Supplemental Scholarship Application

To be considered for departmental, leadership and service scholarships, you must submit the supplemental Scholarship Application.

International Students

International students have additional requirements and information.

Admissions Committee

Per Admissions Office Procedures Manual in Accordance with RP- 5.2.1-4b—an Admissions Committee may admit students who do not meet the Board of Regents assured admission requirements for full admission. These decisions are based upon a holistic review of an individual applicant's student record including but not limited to academic achievement (GPA, academic courses, class rank, standardized test scores), high school course availability, recommendation letters, and retention services. The Admissions Committee will utilize this information through the holistic review process to determine whether there are other indicia in the record that would contribute to the applicant's academic success at the University. The Office of Admissions has three committees that perform the above-described work: First-Year college students; Transfer/International and Special Circumstances.

The Special Circumstances Committee will holistically review applicants with special merit that are required to participate in intrusive and successful retention programs such as, but not limited to, Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, William H. Thompson Scholars, and Nebraska Athletics Support Services. The director of admissions must approve retention programs to be considered for the Special Circumstances Committee. Members of this committee will be appointed by the director of admissions.

Admission Based Upon Special Talents

In Accordance with RP- 5.2.1-4b, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln may admit students with special talents who do not meet the Board of Regents assured admission requirements for full admission. Prospective students who do not meet assured admission requirements and who can provide evidence of special talents, such as outstanding artistic skills, unique educational experience or remarkable career achievements can be considered for admission with executive-level sponsorship. Each academic college and the Athletic Department are permitted to recommend no more than 15 special talent appeals to the director of admissions each term. To be considered for admission based on special talent, an applicant must:

  • Identify an executive sponsor (executive-level sponsors are considered a college dean, associate dean, the athletic director or associate athletic director):
    • The executive sponsor must write a letter of reference to the director of admissions which details the prospective student’s special talent, explains why the sponsor believes the student is deserving of admission and provides specifics regarding how the unit will academically ensure the student’s success;
  • The prospective student may request an executive sponsorship before or after an initial admission decision has been determined:
    • If the prospective student requests admission based upon special talents prior to applying for admission, the executive sponsor’s reference letter should be accompanied with unofficial of transcripts, standardized test scores, and English proficiency scores (for all international students or students for whom English is a second language);
      • In this case, the director of admissions will review the unofficial documents and executive sponsor’s reference letter and will make a provisional admissions decision—pending the student’s formal application for admission and submission of official documents by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s established admissions deadlines;
    • If the student requests admission based upon special talents after an initial admission decision, the prospective student may request an executive sponsor send the reference letter to the director of admissions;
      • The executive sponsor should include the prospective student’s birth date and NUID number in the letter;
      • The director of admissions will review the prospective student’s academic file and notify the applicant and executive sponsor of the admission decision.

Revocation of Admission and/or Degree

Admission to or a degree awarded from the University may be revoked for: Fraud; misrepresentation; violation of university standards in obtaining the degree; serious violation committed by an applicant or student prior to course enrollment, matriculation, or graduation; or other significant infractions endangering the safety and/or well-being of the university community.

Don't Forget

After meeting these requirements, you have to apply for admission and pay the $45 application fee to be considered for admission.