UTSA Requirements for Admission

What are UTSA's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

  • GPA requirements
  • Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
  • Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into UTSA and build a strong application.

School location: San Antonio, TX

This school is also known as: University of Texas at San Antonio, UT San Antonio, UTSA


Admissions Rate: 76.6%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at UTSA is 76.6%. For every 100 applicants, 77 are admitted.

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This means the school is lightly selective. The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet UTSA's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.


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UTSA GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.3

The average GPA at UTSA is 3.3.

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(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

With a GPA of 3.3, UTSA accepts below-average students. It's OK to be a B-average student, with some A's mixed in. It'd be best to avoid C's and D's, since application readers might doubt whether you can handle the stress of college academics.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.3, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.


SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.

You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to UTSA. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.

UTSA SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1125

The average SAT score composite at UTSA is a 1125 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes UTSA Competitive for SAT test scores.

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UTSA SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1040, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1200. In other words, a 1040 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1200 will move you up to above average.

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
Math555510600
Reading + Writing570520620
Composite112510401200

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

UTSA has the Score Choice policy of "Contact School."

This means that the school wants you to contact them to learn more about their Score Choice policies. Keep reading - we may have extra notes about this from our own expert research.


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UTSA ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, UTSA likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 22

The average ACT score at UTSA is 22. This score makes UTSA Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

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The 25th percentile ACT score is 19, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 25.

Even though UTSA likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 19 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 19 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to UTSA, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 19.


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SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.

UTSA recommends that you take the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section. If you do well, they'll consider your application to be stronger.


SAT Subject Test Requirements

Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.

We did not find information that UTSA requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.


Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school and found the following information.

You are automatically admitted if you are in the top 25% of your high school class, or in the top 50% with at least an 1100 SAT (Math and Critical Reading) or 24 ACT composite, or if your school doesn't rank, have at least an 1100 SAT or 24 ACT.

All others, including home-schooled students or students from non-accredited high schools, will be reviewed by the admissions committee. For a full table and information on absolute minimum scores by class rank, see the chart available here.

Source


Final Admissions Verdict

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Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average. Aim for a 1040 SAT or a 19 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.


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Want to build the best possible college application?

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

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Admissions Calculator

What are your chances of admission at University of Texas at San Antonio?
Chances of admission with these scores:

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.

Pick your test: SAT ACT

ACT Score
Your GPA

Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
  • 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
  • 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
  • 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
  • 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
  • 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of UTSA here.

Application Requirements Overview

  • Common Application Not accepted
  • Universal Application Not accepted
  • Electronic Application Available
  • Essay or Personal Statement Recommended for all freshmen
  • Letters of Recommendation 1
  • Interview Not required
  • Application Fee $60
  • Fee Waiver Available? Available
  • Other Notes Transfer applicants with less than 30 hours must meet freshman requirements and have a 2.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale and submit all college transcripts; transfer applicants with 30 or more completed hours must have a 2.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale and submit all college transcripts recommended for some freshmen

Testing Requirements

  • SAT or ACT Required
  • SAT Essay or ACT Writing Recommended
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Scores Due in Office June 1

Coursework Requirements

  • Subject Required Years
  • English 4
  • Math 3
  • Science 3
  • Foreign Language 2
  • Social Studies 3
  • History 1
  • Electives 5

Deadlines and Early Admissions

  •  
    • Offered? Deadline Notification
  • Regular Admission
    • Yes June 1 Rolling
  • Early Action
    • No
  • Early Decision
    • No

Admissions Office Information

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

If your class rank and test scores don't meet the minimums for automatic admission, it is highly recommended you submit an essay from the Texas application as well as two letters of recommendation for committee review. You can apply to the Honors College at any time but must apply by February 15th to be considered for the scholarship competition, which you can learn about here. To be considered for merit scholarships, you must apply and submit the General Scholarship Application by December 1st. Learn more about that process here.

Source


Other Schools For You

If you're interested in UTSA, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to UTSA.


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Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average ACT scores than UTSA. If you improve your ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 1184 27
Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT 1175 26
Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 1180 26
University of Oklahoma Norman, OK 1210 26
Pace University New York, NY 1140 25
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1235 25
Ohio University Athens, OH 1170 24

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Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for UTSA, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
California State University Long Beach Long Beach, CA 1145 23
Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL 1135 23
University of North Texas Denton, TX 1160 23
Washington State University Pullman, WA 1125 23
University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX 1160 23
San Jose State University San Jose, CA 1145 23
Texas State University San Marcos, TX 1095 23

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Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for UTSA, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If UTSA is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

School Name Location SAT Avg ACT Avg
Kean University Union, NJ 990 20
University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX 1040 20
University of California, Merced Merced, CA 1080 20
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX 1080 20
California State University Northridge Northridge, CA 1030 19
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PA 1017 19
California State University Sacramento Sacramento, CA 1035 19

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Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Get Into Your Top Choice School

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