Hi guys, I'm thinking about applying to University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) next year. Does anyone here know what they look for in applicants? Like average GPA, minimum ACT/SAT score, volunteer work, etc. Just trying to gauge how competitive it is!
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is a moderately competitive university. While they don't disclose a minimum requirement for GPA and test scores, you can look at the profile of recently admitted students to get an understanding of what they might be looking for.
In recent years, the middle 50% of admitted students had an ACT score range of 25-31 and a SAT range of 1190-1340. For GPA, the average high school GPA of the incoming freshman class was around 4.2 using a weighted scale.
As a public institution, UTK tends to prioritize in-state students. More than half of UTK students are from Tennessee. If you're out-of-state, make sure your academic profile is strong enough to compete with a potentially stronger pool of applicants.
Extracurricular involvement is also crucial. Like many other universities, UTK values students who are involved in their high schools and communities. Competitive applicants will probably have several Tier 3 and Tier 4 extracurriculars, and maybe even a few Tier 2 ones. This could include leadership positions in clubs, sports team captainships, and volunteer work.
The personal essay can play a significant role in the admissions process as well, especially if you're borderline academically. In your essay, UTK is looking for students who possess a strong sense of personal development, have a clear academic and career path, and are excited to pursue their interests at UTK.
Lastly, UTK reviews applications on a holistic basis, which means they're looking for more than just grades and test scores. They're looking for attributes like leadership, community involvement, and a distinctive personal background or experiences.
It's important to remember that these are just general guidelines. There is no magic formula to guarantee admission to UTK or any other university. It's all about how the various components of your profile, academic and otherwise, come together into a compelling narrative. Good luck with the admissions process!
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