TRANSFER STUDENT FAQ'S

What are the requirements for admission to the U of U?

Check out the Admission web site for the most up-to-date admissions criteria. (www.sa.utah.edu/admiss/trans.htm)

How do I apply to the U?

There are three basic steps for application to the U.

1. First fill out an application. This can most easily be done online.
2. You must also have transcripts sent from all previous schools.
3. Finally, you must pay an application fee of $35.00 which can also be done online.

How long does it take to get admitted to the U?

The Admissions Office will begin processing your application once all fees and supporting documents have been received. In busy times processing can take 3 to 4 weeks.
Don't wait for the deadline.
Apply early!

When should I begin the application process?

It is wise to begin applying at least a semester before you plan to attend the U. You want to have plenty of time for your application to be processed and to get signed up for an early Orientation session. This will allow you to register with the rest of the students at the U. The following are good guidelines for early admission:

For Fall Semester: Apply in January or February
For Spring Semester: Apply in September
For Summer Semester: Apply in January

Don't I have to wait until all my community college courses are complete before I can transfer?

No! You want to apply as early as possible! Admissions will evaluate you based on the course work that you have already completed. You can send your complete transcript later on when all your grades are posted.

How will I know if I've been accepted?

You will receive an acceptance letter from the Admissions Office if you have been admitted. A "Summary of Transfer Credit" showing all the coursework that has been accepted will also be sent as well as information on how to sign up for a Transfer Student Orientation.

Once I've been admitted, when will I be able to register for classes?

You will be eligible to register once you have met with an academic advisor and attended a Transfer Student Orientation. You will receive information in the mail on how to arrange to attend an orientation session or you can visit the Orientation web site at www.sa.utah.edu/orientation for more information. Don't delay attending an Orientation; the earlier you attend the better your options for selecting classes will be.

What kind of transfer credit is accepted at the U?

The University of Utah accepts all academic credit with grades of D- and above from properly accredited institutions. The Admissions Office is responsible for evaluating a student's transfer work for applicability to general education requirements. Advisors from the Transfer Center can evaluate transfer work to see if it can be used to clear any Bachelors Degree requirements. A student's major department will evaluate transfer work for applicability to major requirements. It is important to meet with your departmental advisor as soon as possible to discuss these requirements. Click here for contact information for all U of U departmental advisors.

What different majors are offered at the U?

The University offers over 70 undergraduate academic majors, more than 50 teaching majors and minors and several certificate programs from which students can choose to build their own unique academic experience.

It is expected that you choose one of these majors by the end of your sophomore year (60 semester hours) or within one year of entering the U of U. You must meet with the departmental advisor of your major who can formally admit you to your degree-granting college.

How do I find out about my major?

• You can research departmental home pages online.
• Look at major information sheets which provide a quick summary of major requirements.
• You can also meet with any departmental advisor for the programs you are interested in pursuing.
• Finally you can look through the U general catalog.

I have heard that my intended major is a "restricted" one; what does that mean?

A restricted major is one that requires a student to go through some sort of acceptance process to enter that program. This acceptance is separate from your initial admission to U. and will require some sort of additional application to your major department. The requirements for acceptance to these restricted programs are varied but can include: completion of prerequisite classes, gpa, personal statement, portfolio, and volunteer/work experience. Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Nursing, Education, Architecture, Communications and Pharmacy are just a few examples of restricted majors at the U.

How do I find out about financial aid or scholarships at the U?

The best resources for exploring financial assistance at the U is the web site for our Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at www.sa.utah.edu/finance. Transfer students should pay particular attention to the scholarships offered by their major department and home college.

What if I have not decided on a major?

It is important that transfer students think about a major before or as soon as they begin at the University of Utah. Students are expected to declare a major by the end of their sophomore year (60 semester hours) or within one year of entering the U of U. If you are still undecided attend one of our Major Exploration Workshops OR make an appointment with a University College Advisor (581.8146).

What are the University Graduation Requirements?

The University Graduation Requirements at the U consist of 2 parts: General Education:

• General Education includes course requirements in the areas of Fine Arts, Humanities, Physical & Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Writing, American Institutions, and Quantitative Reasoning.

Bachelor Degree Requirements:

• The Bachelor Degree requirements make up the second part of the University Graduation Requirements. These include a Communication/Writing requirement, a Diversity course, and either Quantitative Intensive or Language courses depending on what type of degree you are seeking.

The University Graduation Requirements therefore add up to a total of 14-16 courses depending on the degree and major that you are seeking.

Note: If you are considering a major in the College of Engineering, there are specific General Education requirements that need to be met and you should see a departmental advisor as soon as possible.

Click here to view the Undergraduate Studies Bulletin.

How does my Associate Degree or Letter of Completion fit in?

An Associate of Science (AS) or an Associate of Arts (AA) degree (not an Associate of Applied Science) from an accredited Utah state institution or a Letter of Completion will waive your General Education requirements. Students who have an AS or AA degree from an accredited out of state institution have satisfied the Intellectual Explorations component of General Education, all other requirements are evaluated separately. All Bachelor Degree requirements will be evaluated on a course by course basis for all transfer students.

What if a course is accepted but is not applied to a requirement?

If you think a transfer course could fill a University Graduation Requirement, make an appointment and bring a description and syllabus from that course to the Transfer Center. If you think a transfer course could fill a major requirement take a course description and syllabus to your departmental advisor.

How do I know which University Graduation Requirements are cleared?

Upon admission to the U, you will receive a summary of transfer credit that will identify which transfer courses were applied to these graduation requirements. Once you are accepted you may also access the Degree Audit Report System (DARS) to determine which requirements you have satisfied.

What is DARS?

DARS (Degree Audit Report System) is a document that University of Utah students may access over the web, listing university graduation requirements and what you have completed up to the current time. To generate a DARS report you will need to login to the Campus Information System. The report also lists major requirements; however, you will want to work closely with you departmental advisor to determine applicability of transfer work.

How long will it take to graduate?

The length of time you spend at the U depends on a variety of factors; such as, the number of units transferred, your major, and personal factors.

Updated April 5, 2007