Tennessee Acceptance Rate
So, you’re thinking about applying to the University of Tennessee (commonly referred to as “Tennessee”), and you’re curious about your chances of admission. Well, we’re here to help! Of course, there are a lot of factors in the admissions process, and it’s impossible to accurately predict whether you’ll be admitted or not. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores. So, using those as a measure, we can give you an estimate of your chances.
Test Type
With an acceptance rate of 76%, admission to Tennessee is competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1200, or an ACT score of around 27.
Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and You’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at Tennessee’s admission statistics.
Tennessee Admissions Statistics
Tennessee’s acceptance rate in 2017 was 76%. For students applying to the class of 2021, out of 17,081 applicants, Tennessee admitted about 13,032. The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.89, the average ACT score was 27, and the average SAT score was 1220.
For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 24, and the 75th percentile score was 30.
For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1120. The 75th percentile score was 1330.
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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements. Still, at the 25th percentile, your chances of getting in are in the low single digits.
Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.
As we said, admission to Tennessee is very competitive. Even if Tennessee is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.
Generally, you should have at least three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores), three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores) and three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores) on your list.
OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at Tennessee’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.
Tennessee Application Requirements
To apply to Tennessee, you’ll need to fill out either UT Application or the Common Application, pay the $50 application fee, submit your high school transcript, and finally submit either your SAT or ACT scores. Everything should be submitted by November 1st for Early Action, and December 15th for Regular Decision.
Here’s a full list of application requirements:
- Fill out either UT Application or the Common Application
- Pay the $50 application fee
- Submit your high school transcript
- Submit either your SAT or ACT scores
The application deadline is November 1st for Early Action and December 15th for Regular Decision. December 15th is the financial aid application deadline. Early Action notifications are released at the school’s discretion, and Regular Decision applicants find out their fates at the end of March.
Have you been admitted to Tennessee? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.
Tennessee Admitted Students Profile
If you matriculate at Tennessee, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.
Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:
- Roughly 51% are male and 49% are female
- 1.5% of students are international
Tennessee has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:
- International: 1.5%
- Underrepresented minority: 2.9%
- Two or more races: 3%
- White: 79.9%
What do these admitted students plan to study? Tennessee offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:
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- Business
- Marketing
- Psychology
Now, how are you going to pay for this?
Tennessee Tuition Figures
At $48,416, Tennessee’s cost of attendance is astronomical. But, don’t panic! Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $9,760.
Here’s a fuller look at Tennessee tuition and financial aid in 2017:
- Total budget: $48,416
- Average financial aid package: $9,760
- The average student debt of a Tennessee graduate is $24,420
Now, what is life like at Tennessee? Let’s take a look.
Tennessee Location
The main campus is located in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Founded in 1794, two years before Tennessee itself became a state, the university also holds the distinction of working on three presidential papers editing projects, for all three US presidents born in the state – Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and James K. Polk.
Remember, you’re going to Tennessee for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.
Tennessee Academics
Tennessee has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:
- Advertising
- Agricultural Engineering
- Business Statistics
- Commercial and Advertising Art
- Dental Hygiene
- Economics
- Food Science
- German Language and Literature
- Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
- Interior Design
- Journalism
- Materials Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Public Relations/Image Management
- Social Work
- Soil Chemistry and Physics
Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at Tennessee.
Student Life at Tennessee
Tennessee has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and politics interests, and various media and publications.
Here’s a sampling of Tennessee’s student activities:
- 1794 Scholars Program
- Advocates for Social Change
- AIM Accounting Alliance
- Art History Club
- Bio-AI
- Canoe and Hiking Club
- Darwin Day UT
- EcoVols
- FarmHouse
- Feminist Alliance
- Global Studies Club
- HackUTK
- In With The Old
- Japanese Animation Research Society
- Lambda Law Society
- Martial Arts Club
- Mindfulness and Meditation
Are you an athlete? Tennessee’s got plenty of options for you.
Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. So, if you’re not up to varsity level, remember there are plenty of club and intramural sports to try out for, too.
Tennessee’s sports include:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Cross-Country
- Swimming & Diving
- Soccer
- Golf
- Track & Field
- Tennis
Who might you become with a Tennessee degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:
Notable Alums
Tennessee has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.
Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:
- US Senator Lamar Alexander
- US Vice President Al Gore, Jr.
- Actress Dixie Carter
- Comedian Henry Cho
- Musician Dolly Parton
- Nike designer Jeff Baxter
- Artist Sarah Webb
- Author Cormac McCarthy
- Financial guru Dave Ramsey
- Garmin CEO and founder Min Kao
- Tyson Foods CEO Donnie Smith
- NFL quarterback Peyton Manning
And this is only a partial list!
Remember!
Getting into Tennessee is competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no. If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are. If you work hard, you’ll end up at a school that’s right for you, and still get a great education.
If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.
Our expert teachers and tutors will not only share with you tried and true methods for improving your score, but also help you correct deficiencies in any subject that you’re having difficulty with—English, Writing, Mathematics or Science.
Additionally, online classes can be watched On Demand, so if you miss a class due to your busy schedule, you can catch it online later. We have helped hundreds of students get the scores they need to attend the school of their dreams.
For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!
Written by Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
Prep Expert Founder & CEO
Shark Tank Winner, Perfect SAT Scorer, Dermatologist, & #1 Bestselling AuthorMore from Dr. Shaan Patel MD MBA
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