The admissions process furthers and advances the University’s mission. The University of Austin strives to build and sustain a community of excellence based on the lively clash of ideas, which are advanced or rejected through rational argument and civil discourse. Students are expected to be constructive participants in the open exchange of ideas. Through this process, the University cultivates in students a passion for learning.
Given the rigorous nature of the undergraduate program, our admissions process is designed to admit students on the basis of demonstrated (i) academic capability and (ii) capacity for creativity and leadership. We seek students who demonstrate the character and temperament to contribute to and thrive in a challenging academic environment that prioritizes intellectual curiosity, applied learning, self-motivation, and entrepreneurial spirit. We will consider an applicant’s interests, background, and experiences to help us understand whether the applicant satisfies the admissions criteria above.
Applicants may expect to receive one of the following admissions decisions:
If you have applied to the University of Austin and are accepted by another school under a binding Early Decision program, you must inform the Office of Admissions and withdraw your application.
Since the University communicates with candidates via email throughout the process (e.g., about missing credentials, scheduling interviews, and communicating admissions decisions), we kindly ask that you allow access to admissions@uaustin.org and notifications@populi.co through any spam filters used by your internet service provider.
Admitted students must accept their offer and pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit by the Candidate Reply Date in order to hold their seat and claim their Founders Scholarship. Admitted students who fail to accept their offer by the Candidate Reply Date shall have their offer revoked and forfeit the Founders Scholarship award.
The Founders Scholarship is only available to those students admitted to the 2024 entering class. Apply early to enhance your chances of receiving this significant financial award.
Applicants must submit an online undergraduate application, which includes a personal statement and essay. Visit Apply Now to create an applicant profile and start your application.
Personal Statement. In no more than 1,000 words, please respond to the following prompt:
Essay. In no more than 650 words, please respond to one of the three prompts below:
Applicants must submit official transcripts, or equivalents thereof, from all secondary education institutions (e.g., high school) and official transcripts from all higher education institutions (e.g., college, university, military academic institution, seminary, or divinity school) previously attended, even if the enrollment resulted in drops or withdrawals, regardless whether a degree was completed. No transcript issued to a student will be accepted.
Schools sending official paper transcripts should send them to University of Austin at 522 Congress Ave, STE 300, Austin, TX 78701. Official electronic transcripts should be emailed to admissions@uaustin.org.
Home-schooled students must be sure they submit transcripts that contain the following:
Final Transcript: Applicants will be required to submit an official final high school transcript, or equivalent thereof, showing the awarding of a diploma before they will be allowed to register for University classes.
Official Score Reports
Applicants will self-report their standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, and/or CLT) on the application form, and the University will verify self-reported scores against official score reports upon enrollment. Applicants must request that official scores are sent to the University such that they are received prior to enrollment. Applicants who have not already taken the ACT, SAT, or CLT should budget at least six weeks between when they sit for an exam and when official scores are received by the University. For more information about how to send your official scores, please see Standardized Test Scores.
Additional Test Scores
Students who are not resident in the United States at the time of applying must have their official TOEFL scores sent directly to the University. Students who are reporting Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams should have official scores sent directly to the University.
An applicant must have two personal references each submit a letter of recommendation on the applicant’s behalf. One letter of recommendation must be provided by a teacher or guidance counselor who knows the applicant well. The other letter of recommendation may be from any reference who knows the applicant well (e.g., a current or former employer or supervisor, another teacher or guidance counselor, a school official such as a principal or vice principal, or a friend or family member). References should address the applicant’s character and suitability for undergraduate work.
*IMPORTANT: Applicants should send requests for Letters of Recommendation directly through their online application as early as possible (i.e., before completing their application). Once an applicant submits references' email addresses, references will receive an email prompting them to upload their recommendation directly to the applicant's file. Please check with your references to make sure this email is received. Letters of recommendation must be timely received to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of your application.
Each applicant for admission to the University must submit a nonrefundable application processing fee. Thanks to the generosity of University supporters, the application fee for applicants seeking to enter in Fall 2024 has been waived.
In addition, the University may request that applicants make themselves available for a virtual interview to assist the admissions committee in making its decision. Such applicants will be provided reasonable notice regarding the interview request and an opportunity to schedule the interview within a specified window of time.
Any applicant who supplies false or misleading information or conceals pertinent facts in order to secure admission to the University of Austin may be denied admission or, if admitted, may have such admission offer revoked, such admission being null and void. If such individual has already paid the nonrefundable enrollment deposit, he or she shall immediately be dismissed from the University and forfeit such deposit, any tuition or fees already paid, any scholarship awards (including the Founders Scholarship), and any other financial aid awards. In addition, such individual may be ineligible to receive any credit from the University.
Standardized test scores should be sent to the University of Austin directly from the testing agency. The University equally accepts the ACT, SAT, or the CLT in satisfaction of the standardized test score requirement.
The University of Austin’s ACT code is 8137. Applicants who take the ACT more than once will have their highest Composite score considered in the evaluation process. The optional Writing section on the ACT is not required, nor is the Writing subscore used in the application review process.
The University of Austin’s SAT code is not yet available. Please check back in December, which is when we anticipate receiving this code from the College Board. If an applicant takes the SAT more than once, the University will consider the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score and the highest Math score from multiple test sessions when reviewing the application. For applicants submitting SAT score reports that include the optional SAT Essay, the Essay will not be used in the application review process.
Applicants who intend to submit an official CLT score report may do so through their CLT student account by searching “University of Austin” and requesting official score reports be sent directly to the University. There is no University of Austin CLT code.
Submit your application to University of Austin before February 7, and you will receive a discount code to register for a free CLT on February 15, 2024.
The University of Austin is proud to accept all three standardized testing options, the ACT, SAT, and CLT. For those who may be unfamiliar, the CLT is a remotely proctored test that can be taken in the comfort of your home in just two hours. Learn more about the Classic Learning Test and consider taking this testing option to satisfy your standardized testing requirement.
If you are interested in learning more about how to take advantage of this unique opportunity, please let us know by completing the form below.