Bachelor Degree Admission – Entering Freshmen

Academic Eligibility

The University continues to raise the academic standards required for full admission to Baccalaureate programs, and the process will continue in future years. For the current academic year both in-state and out-of-state high school graduates will be offered full admission if they meet the requirements below.

Some departments reserve the right to set higher admission standards for their undergraduate programs.  Applicants to these programs will be admitted to the appropriate pre-major program by Enrollment Services-Admissions.  Application to the undergraduate degree program is an additional, separate process administered by the department and arranged for by the student seeking acceptance. 

  1. Graduation from a state accredited high school.
  2. Successful completion of the following College Preparatory program:
  • Four years of English.
  • Three years of math, including Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II (or the sequential content equivalent of these courses). Students are encouraged to take a math course in their senior year.
  • Three years of social studies, including one year global studies (i.e., world history or world geography), one year American history and one year of additional course work (i.e., government, psychology, economics).
  • Two years of laboratory science. One year must be earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics; the other year can be one of those sciences or another approved college prep laboratory science.
  • Two years chosen from the following: foreign language (preferably two years), computer science, visual and performing arts, or vocational education units.
  1. Students must meet one of the following admissions requirements:
  • ACT composite of 22, or
  • SAT combined score of 1540, or
  • a 2.50 cumulative grade point average, or
  • class rank in the upper half of the graduating class.
  • Students whose tests or GPA are significantly below this level may be admitted on a conditional basis.
  1. Students must meet a minimum Math Proficiency score of:
  • 22 on the ACT Math section or
  • 520 on the SAT Math section or
  • A score of 3 or above on the AP Calculus AB or BC Subject Exams. In lieu of the above requirement, students can complete a Rigorous High School Core that includes four years of math with grades of C or higher and three years of lab science or
  • 4 on the International Baccalaureate Calculus Exam.
  1.  Students must meet a minimum Writing Proficiency score of:
  • 18 on the Combined English/Writing section of the Optional Writing Test or a 7 on the Writing Subscore of the ACT; or
  • 440 on the Writing Section of the SAT or a 7 on the Essay the SAT; or
  • 3.5 on the Montana University System Writing Assessment; or
  • 3 on the AP English Language or English Literature Examination; or
  • 4 on the International Baccalaureate Language A1 Exam or
  • 50 on the CLEP Subject Exam in Composition.

Home-Schooled Students

Information on admission requirements for home-schooled students or students who graduate from a non-accredited high school can be found at the UM admissons home school web page. 

Traditional-Age Freshmen with GED

GED freshmen are those students who have passed the GED and enter college within three years of the date they would have graduated from high school.  Admission will be determined by current University of Montana criteria for GED freshmen.  All GED freshmen applicants are required to take the ACT or SAT.

Non-Traditional Freshmen

Non-traditional freshmen are those students who are over 21 years old and who did not enter college for a period of at least three years from the date of high school graduation.  Admission will be determined by current University of Montana criteria for non-traditional students.  Non-traditional freshmen will be admitted conditionally if test scores are not posted on the high school transcript or if a student has never taken the ACT or SAT.

The following students are exempt from Standards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 above:

  • Summer Only Students
  • Part-time students taking seven or fewer college-level semester credits.

Conditional Acceptance

Students who have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, but do not otherwise meet the admission requirements, may be admitted on a conditional basis. To be admitted conditionally, the Admissions Committee must determine that a student could be successful by taking advantage of the academic support services that are available. Students will be granted full admission after completing 24 credits with a grade point average of at least 2.0. Students are expected to complete the 24 credits within two semesters but must complete them within three semesters. In cases where academic preparation falls well below the admission standards listed above, applicants will be directed to the Missoula College where courses can be taken to strengthen their preparation for success at the University of Montana.

Future trends in Admission Eligibility at UM

Admission Grid 

In future years, the academic criteria for full admission to Baccalaureate programs at The University will continue to rise. Students who fail to meet these stricter admission standards may be admitted on a conditional basis (see above).

How to Apply

Applications for admission are available from Enrollment Services-Admissions by request or are available on the University Admissions website. An application for admission is complete when Enrollment Services-Admissions receives the credentials described below.

  1. Application form. Applications must be complete and signed.
  2. Application Fee. The fee is $30. This non-refundable fee is payable once at the undergraduate level provided payment is followed by enrollment. Record of payment will remain on file for one year for students who do not enroll. Applications are not processed prior to payment of this fee. The University of Montana-Missoula waives the application fee for students who have attended an affiliate campus: Montana Tech or Highlands College (former College of Technology) in Butte, Helena College (formerly Helena College of Technology), and University of Montana-Western in Dillon.
  3. Test scores. Official ACT or SAT results should be sent directly from the testing company or may be posted on the high school transcript.
  4. Final high school transcripts. Transcripts should be submitted after graduation and must include a graduation date and final GPA. Eligibility for admission and scholarships will be verified from this transcript.
  5. Immunization Form. All students are required to submit a completed Medical Requirement Form to the Curry Health Center prior to registration. It is important that the immunization record be complete, accurate and validated by a health official.

When to Apply

Applications and all required documents submitted by the following dates will receive priority consideration:

  • March 1 - Fall semester
  • November 15 - Spring semester

Applications received after the priority dates are considered on a space-available basis.