The state's flagship university and a leader in global research and innovation. Home to the pioneering School of Medicine and a top-tier engineering program.
Official 2026–2027 undergraduate deadlines from each institution's admissions page. Always reconfirm on the official site before applying.
| Term | Portal Opens | Priority | Regular | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027 | Aug 1, 2026 | Dec 1, 2026 (Scholarship Priority) | Apr 1, 2027 | Rolling — typically 4–6 weeks after complete application |
| Spring 2027 | Aug 1, 2026 | — | Dec 1, 2026 | Rolling — typically 4–6 weeks after complete application |
Middle 50% reflects submitters only (CDS 2023-24).
The University of Utah does not require a personal essay for general freshman admission. A supplemental essay is required for the Honors College and for some competitive scholarships awarded through the AcademicWorks portal.
“Choose one of the provided Honors prompts (they rotate yearly and often mirror Common App topics). Example: “Explain a time when you were a contributor to a community or group. What did you learn from that experience?””
“For many private and For Utah scholarships: describe your financial need, community involvement, and/or academic and career goals.”
The U awards merit scholarships automatically to admitted freshmen based on GPA (and ACT/SAT if submitted). Higher stats unlock larger awards up to a full-tuition scholarship.
No separate scholarship application needed for base merit — just apply for admission by the Dec 1 priority deadline.
≈3.95 GPA and top test scores (competitive review)
Submit your admissions application by Dec 1 — no separate form. All admitted freshmen are auto-reviewed; top applicants are invited to a scholarship interview weekend in January.
Top business applicants; separate essay + interview
Apply for admission AND indicate 'Business' as your major. Then complete the separate Eccles Scholars application on the Eccles School of Business site (essay + resume + recommendation). Finalists are interviewed.
3.6+ GPA — automatic based on academic profile
Automatic — no application. Apply for admission by Dec 1 and you'll be considered based on your GPA and coursework.
Utah residents with family income under threshold + Pell-eligible
1) Be admitted as a Utah resident freshman. 2) File the FAFSA by Feb 1 using U of U's school code 003675. Eligibility is calculated automatically from your FAFSA — no separate application.
File FAFSA by priority deadline
No letters of recommendation required for freshman admission.
Honors / scholarships: Honors College: NO letters of recommendation required. The Honors application uses essays, an activity list, and academic record. Most U of U merit scholarships are automatic based on GPA/test scores — no letters. A few named/departmental scholarships (e.g., Eccles Scholars) may request 1–2 letters from teachers or mentors who know your academic work; check honors.utah.edu/scholarships for the specific award.