Tennessee / How to get in
How to Get Into Tennessee
About 42% (roughly 24,900 admitted from around 59,800 applicants in the most recent reported cycle). Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what Tennessee weighs most, and where to put your energy.
- 4.07-4.50 (weighted)
- GPA (middle 50%)
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how Tennessee reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- Test scores
- State residency
- Class rank
- The application essay
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation status
- Geographic origin
- Demonstrated interest
Tennessee requires SAT or ACT scores.
Early Action submission November 1 · Early Action completion November 15 · EA decisions Dec 8 (TN) / Dec 15 (out-of-state) · Regular submission December 15 · Regular completion January 15 · Regular decisions March 9 · Enrollment confirmation May 1. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.
Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. Tennessee reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into Tennessee: FAQ
Is Tennessee hard to get into?
About 42% (roughly 24,900 admitted from around 59,800 applicants in the most recent reported cycle). At Tennessee, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What GPA do you need to get into Tennessee?
Admitted students at Tennessee typically have a GPA around 4.07-4.50 (weighted) (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.
What does Tennessee look for in applicants?
Tennessee weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), test scores, and state residency most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.
See your real chances at Tennessee and every school.
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