Welcoming a New Class of Freshman Students
Founded in 1848, Ole Miss is the state’s flagship public research university, offering nearly 200 degree programs across a broad spectrum of fields. Each year, we open our doors to a class of motivated individuals with a strong record of accomplishments, eager to embrace the next stage in their educational journey. Prepared to influence while absorbing as much new information as possible, our freshmen classes include multiple valedictorians, salutatorians, and high school class presidents.
Your freshman year represents a transition, and Ole Miss is ready to guide you toward your future:
- Our range of academic programs aligns with a range of interests and strengths. Biology, accounting, digital communications, media, finance, and psychology remain some of our most popular majors, but even if you start with general education, our Undergraduate Program Listing can point you in the right direction.
- Get the support you need to succeed, with a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and passionate instructors ready to connect you with enriching opportunities in and outside of the classroom.
- Flourish on a campus named one of the most beautiful in the nation, home to dynamic Greek and athletic cultures and surrounded by Oxford’s music scene and literary history.
- Access a first-rate education at an affordable price, whether you’re in Mississippi and looking to attend college close to home or out of state and seeking a school that challenges your academic drive.
Learn more about all Ole Miss has to offer undergraduate students.
See yourself attending Ole Miss for freshman year? Read on for all first-year undergraduate requirements, and learn more about how we evaluate incoming freshmen.
Freshman Admission Requirements
For entering freshmen, admission is based on:
- the submission of an application (the university’s application or the Common Application);
- completion of the required units of the Mississippi College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC); and
- high school core grade point average and either an ACT or SAT test score.
Students must submit a high school transcript reflecting satisfactory completion of the following CPC. Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing agency.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, the university will accept super scores (highest subject tests from ACT/SAT when scores from multiple test dates are submitted) for admission. Subject test scores must be from the same exam type (ACT or SAT) to create a super score.
Mississippi Residents
Mississippi residents are admitted based on meeting one of the following criteria:
- Completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum 3.20 high school GPA.
- Completing the CPC with a minimum 2.50 high school GPA on the CPC and a minimum score of 16 on the composite ACT (or 770 on the old SAT critical reading/mathematics or 880 on the new SAT).
- Completing the CPC with a class rank in the top 50 percent and a minimum score of 16 on the composite ACT (or 770 on the old SAT critical reading/mathematics or 880 on the new SAT).
- Completing the CPC with a minimum 2.00 high school GPA on the CPC and a minimum composite score of 18 on the ACT (or 860 on the old SAT critical reading/mathematics or 960 on the new SAT).
- Students entering in the 2022-2023 academic year who are unable to access an ACT or SAT exam may be admitted without a standardized test score. Students who complete the CPC with a minimum 2.0 GPA on the CPC will be evaluated for admission.*
- Meeting certification requirements for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This option is available to all freshman applicants.
*Although we are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2023-2024 academic year, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs, and for academic placement.
Non-Mississippi Residents
Nonresident applicants who meet the Mississippi criteria are evaluated for admission based on the following:
- standardized test score (ACT or SAT—both are acceptable);
- core grade point average (GPA);
- availability of seats in the incoming class; and
- rigor of high school curriculum.
Successful candidates are encouraged to apply early, as admission is granted on a rolling basis until the university reaches capacity. It is suggested that candidates apply no later than April 1 of their senior year, for best consideration.
Students entering in the 2023-2024 academic year who are unable to access an ACT or SAT exam may be admitted without a standardized test score. Students who complete the CPC with a minimum 2.0 GPA will be evaluated for admission.*
*Although we are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2023-2024 academic year, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs and for academic placement.
Minimum Test Scores
Reading and English: Students whose ACT subtest score in reading and/or English is less than 17 (or old SAT verbal score is less than 400 or less than 470 on the new SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first semester of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade or until passing the placement exam administered by the Department of Developmental Studies.
Mathematics: Additionally, students whose ACT subtest score in mathematics is less than 19 (or old SAT mathematics score is less than 450 or less than 510 on the new SAT) are required to enroll in an appropriate developmental course during the first semester of enrollment and to remain in the course until receiving a passing grade or until passing the placement exam administered by the Department of Developmental Studies.
Other Test Scores: Students with ACT subtest scores of 17, 18, or 19 are encouraged to enroll in developmental courses. Those students who enroll in two or more developmental courses also are required to complete two semesters of Developmental Support Lab (see below). Enrollment in developmental courses is limited to students with subtest scores below 20 except with permission of the department. Developmental courses completed at other postsecondary institutions before enrolling at the University of Mississippi may be considered to meet developmental requirements.
Freshman Application Details
College Preparatory Curriculum
Admission of entering freshmen is based on the completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) specified below with either a specific minimum grade-point average (GPA) or both a specific GPA and minimum standard test score.
A student’s high school transcript must show satisfactory completion of the following high school course requirements. Provisional admission may be granted after six semesters of high school, provided the transcript indicates that courses to complete the CPC are underway; final admission will require a complete transcript. An equivalent College Preparatory Curriculum from another state may be considered when evaluating nonresident student applications.
High School Course Requirements Beginning with Students Entering In Fall 2023
College Preparatory Curriculum
| Subject Area | Required Carnegie Units and Content/Remarks | Recommended Carnegie Units and Content/Remarks | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | Units must require substantial communications skills (i.e. reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing may not be included | 4 | Units must require substantial communication skills (i.e. reading writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading and Compensatory Writing may not be included. |
| Mathematics | 4 | Algebra I or its equivalent | 4 | Algebra I or its equivalent |
| Math higher than Algebra I (2 units) | Math higher than Algebra I (3 units) | |||
| Science | 3 | Biology I or its equivalent · Science higher than Biology I (2 units) | 4 | Biology I or its equivalent · Science higher than Biology I (3 units) |
| Social Studies | 3 | Units must include integrated courses of social sciences and humanities promoting civic competence | 4 | Units must include integrated courses of social sciences and humanities promoting civic competence |
| Arts | 1 | Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high school graduation. | 1 | Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for high school graduation. |
| Advanced Electives | 2 | Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II · Option 2: Foreign Language I and one unit from Option 3 · Option 3: (1) Any combination of advanced electives above the required Carnegie units in: (a) English, math, science, computer science and/or (b) any Advanced Placement (AP), Academic or Career and Technical Dual Credit (DC), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) course. (2) Completion of any two‐ year Career and Technical course may count as one unit. Example: completion of both Health Sciences I & II will count as an advanced elective. | 2 | Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II · Option 2: Foreign Language I and one unit from Option 3 · Option 3: (1) Any combination of advanced electives above the required Carnegie units in: (a)English, math, science, computer science and/or) any (b) Advanced Placement (AP), Academic or Career and Technical Dual Credit (DC), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) course. (2) Completion of any two‐ year Career and Technical course may count as one unit. Example: completion of both Health Sciences I & II will count as an advanced elective. |
| Technology or Computer Science | 1 | A technology course emphasizes the use of technology as a productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing various forms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, and publish information. The application of technology as a productivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/or software packages should be the focus of the course. A computer science course emphasizes computational thinking to solve problems. Courses will involve the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society and should include focus on one or more of the following core concepts: computing systems, networks and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and programming, and impacts of computing. Course equivalent or additional advanced elective may be acceptable for non‐Mississippi residents. | ||
| Pre‐High School Units | Courses taken prior to high school will be accepted for admission provided the course earns Carnegie credit and the content is the same as the high school course. | |||
| Substitutions | Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Academic or Career Technical Dual Credit (DC), and Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) courses may be substituted for each requirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum. | |||
| Course Acceptance | A course may not be used to satisfy more than one requirement. | |||
| Total Carnegie Units | 18.5 | 20 | ||
Admission Documents
- Completed application
- Six-semester transcript
- Official standardized test scores (ACT or SAT)
- Senior course schedule
Special Circumstances
Non-Accredited High Schools
Applicants who are home-schooled or who have not successfully completed high school must submit standard test scores (ACT composite minimum of 18 or old SAT combined minimum of 860 or 970 on the new SAT) and successfully complete the Accuplacer test (see “Other Admission Criteria”).
Home-schooled students: Home-schooled students must present summaries of their educational experiences, which may include portfolios and transcripts, as well as standardized test scores (ACT composite minimum of 18 or old SAT combined minimum of 860 or 970 on the new SAT).
Not completed high school: Students who are not high school graduates must present qualifying GED scores or, in some cases, may qualify as undergraduate special students (see below). Applicants who have not graduated from a regionally accredited high school and were not home-schooled must submit qualifying scores on the General Education Development Test (GED) and any transcripts reflecting academic performance in high school.
All applicants may be required, at the discretion of the admitting IHL institution, to appear for an on-campus interview.
Undergraduate Special Students
A student who is at least 21 years of age, has been out of school for at least three years, and cannot present an acceptable high school record may be admitted to the university for such courses as he or she may be prepared to enter.
This category is reserved for those who have had delays or interruption of the traditional sequence of educational pursuits. A person admitted as a special student is admitted with the same retention standards as degree-seeking students.
Special students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA on 12 hours of coursework to become degree-seeking students. After meeting this requirement, the special student may become a regularly enrolled student, and the work completed while in the special status may be applied toward a degree. Failure to meet the stated requirements will result in academic suspension.
While in special student status, a student may not register for more than 12 hours in a semester or summer session and will not qualify for financial aid programs.
Unclassified Students
Applicants who have already received a baccalaureate degree may enroll in the university if they desire to take courses for personal or professional improvement at the 400 level or below or are pursuing a second undergraduate degree.
Generally, students pursuing a second undergraduate degree will not be permitted to take graduate courses, but under certain circumstances, with the approval of the appropriate academic dean, they may enroll as unclassified students in 500-level courses.
Visiting Students
A student who regularly attends another recognized institution and who plans to return to that institution may be admitted to the university as a visiting student.
The applicant must comply with the general requirements for admission and, in lieu of transcripts of credits, may submit a letter or certificate of good standing from an official of the institution that the student regularly attends. A student admitted to the summer session as a visiting student may elect to enroll in the university’s next regular session. The student can qualify by submitting transcripts of credits from the other institutions attended and by meeting the requirements applicable to transfer students. If the student has attended the University of Mississippi previously, he or she must be re-admissible.
College Credit for High School Students
Summer College for High School Students is a four-week academic program for high-achieving high school students who want to experience university life.
Participants in Summer College have the opportunity to gain dual credit (high school and college) for classes taken during the summer. This program is offered in both residential and virtual formats.
Students must meet the following criteria to qualify:
- Be a minimum of 15 years old by first day of the program.
- Be in good academic and conduct standing in high school (includes public, private, parochial, or home-educated.)
- Have secured permission from high school principal to attend.
- Meet one of two admissions options listed below:
- OPTION 1: 14 CPC (College Preparatory Curriculum)* high school credits by the end of the current school year AND minimum 3.0 GPA
- OPTION 2: Minimum cumulative score of 30 on the ACT (or SAT equivalent) AND minimum 3.0 GPA
For more information about Summer College and other dual credit programs, visit the Office of Pre-College Programs.
Other Admission Criteria
Residents of Mississippi who apply and do not meet the admission requirements stated above may enter the comprehensive screening process (counseling and testing) held on campus and at other designated locations prior to the beginning of the first summer session.
The comprehensive screening process will consider student interests, special skills, experiences, and other noncognitive factors. After counseling, students will take a computer-based examination (Accuplacer) to assist the University in their admission decision.
Students who pass the Accuplacer test will be admitted for the fall term and will be encouraged to participate in the Developmental Support Lab during the first two semesters of enrollment.
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Incoming Freshmen
As you complete your application for freshman admissions, be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for grants, loans, work study, and scholarships.
Ole Miss seeks to promote educational opportunities through several merit-based scholarships for first-year undergraduate students. Designed to acknowledge your achievements, these programs do not require an additional application, and students applying for freshman admission will automatically be evaluated for awards based on their GPA and standardized test scores.
For more competitive academic scholarships and programs, incoming students must additionally fill out and submit the Special Programs & Scholarships Application. Not only does this expand your eligibility for certain undergraduate scholarship opportunities, it’s required for those interested in enrolling in the following academic or enrichment programs:
- Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College;
- Lott Leadership Institute;
- Croft Institute for International Studies;
- Chinese Language Flagship Program;
- Arabic Language Flagship Program;
- Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program;
- Center for Manufacturing Excellence; and
- School of Pharmacy.
Learn more about scholarships and financial aid awards for first-year undergraduate students.
Get an Education That Matters as a Freshman at Ole Miss
If you’re ready to be a Rebel, take the next step by filling out a freshman application for Ole Miss. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admissions by email or by phone at (662) 915-7226 today to learn more.
