Admission of entering freshmen 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), high school core grade point average, and either an SAT or ACT test score. Students must submit a high school transcript reflecting satisfactory completion of the following CPC. (Provisional admission may be granted after six semesters of high school if the transcript indicates that courses to complete the CPC are underway. Final admission requires a complete transcript reflecting a date of graduation.) Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing agency.

Mississippi Residents are admitted based on meeting one of the following criteria:

1. Completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum 3.20 high school GPA on the CPC.
2. 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).
3. 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).
4. 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).
5. Meeting certification requirements for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This option is available to all freshman applicants.

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
• Rigor of high school curriculum

Successful candidates apply early, as admission is granted on a rolling basis until the university reaches capacity. It is suggested that candidates apply early, and not later than April 1 of their senior year, for best consideration.

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 23 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. 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. 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.

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. Students must submit a high school transcript reflecting 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.

The Required and Recommended College Preparatory Curricula (CPC) are approved by the IHL Board of Trustees, and the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs maintains a complete list of courses that can be used to satisfy the CPC requirements.
¹ High school Carnegie units required for regular admission to an IHL institution
² Recommended high school Carnegie units to enhance preparedness for college‐level work

1. Completed application
2. Six-semester transcript
3. Official standardized test scores (ACT or SAT)
4. Senior course schedule

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 the admission decision. Students who pass the Accuplacer 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.

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 new SAT) and successfully complete the Accuplacer (see “Other Admission Criteria” above). Home-schooled students must present summaries of their educational experiences, which may include portfolios and transcripts. 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. Home-schooled students must present portfolios summarizing his or her homeschool education as well as standard test scores (ACT composite minimum of 18 or old SAT combined minimum of 860 or 970 new SAT). Applicants may be required, at the discretion of the admitting IHL institution, to appear for an on-campus interview.

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 of a 2.0 GPA on 12 hours of course work 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.

Applicants who have already received the 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.

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.

In the summer before the senior year in high school, students may earn University credit by attending enrichment programs such as PACE (Promoting Academic and Creative Excellence) and the Summer Institutes in Art and in Music, if the following criteria are met:

Completion of at least 15 college preparatory courses with a minimum 3.2 GPA on those courses, recommendation by the applicant’s high school principal or guidance counselor, and successful application to PACE or to the Summer Institute.

Summer enrichment programs are administered by the Division of Outreach & Continuing Education.

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 the admission decision. Students who pass the Accuplacer 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.