Admission to the University
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Freshman Admission
Standard Test Results
Please note that standard test results (ACT or SAT) should be sent directly from the testing service to the admissions office.
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. Students must submit a high school transcript reflecting satisfactory completion of the following high school course requirements as well as an official graduation date. (Provisional admission may be granted after six semesters of high school provided the transcript indicates that courses to complete the CPC are under way; final admission will require a complete transcript.)
| Carnegie Subject | Units | Contents and Remark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | All must require substantial communication skills components (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking) | |
| Mathematics | 3 | Includes Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II. A fourth class in higher-level mathematics is highly recommended. | |
| Science | 3 | Choice of biology, advanced biology, chemistry, advanced chemistry, physics, advanced physics, or any other science course with comparable rigor and content. One Carnegie unit from a rigorous physical science course with content at a level that may serve as introduction to physics and chemistry may be used. Two of the courses chosen must be laboratory based. | |
| Social Studies | 3 | Courses should include U.S. history (1 unit), world history (1 unit with substantial geography component), government (1/2 unit), and economics (1/2 unit) or geography (1/2 unit). | |
| Advanced electives | 2 | Requirements may be met by earning 2 Carnegie units from the following areas/courses, one unit of which must be in a foreign language or world geography: foreign language, world geography, 4th year lab-based science, 4th year mathematics | |
| Computer Applications | 1/2 | Course should emphasize the computer as a productivity tool. Instruction should include the use of application packages, such as word processing and spreadsheets. The course also should include basic computer terminology and hardware operation. | |
| Eighth Grade Units | Algebra I or first-year foreign language taken in the eighth grade will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course. |
Admission of Mississippi Residents
Regular admission will be granted to the following:
(1) Students completing the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) with a minimum 3.20 high school GPA on the CPC.
(2) Students 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 SAT).
(3) Students 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 SAT).
(4) Students 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 SAT).
(5) Students who meet full-qualifier certification requirements for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Nonresident Admissions
IHL Board policy regarding the admission of nonresident students was changed effective for students applying for summer or fall of 2012 or a subsequent term. The following policy was approved at the March 2011 board meeting:
Any student identified as a nonresident will be qualified for admission to a Mississippi institution of higher learning based on equivalent preparation as determined by the admitting institution.
If, however, an admitting institution determines that anticipated enrollment will exceed the institution’s capacity to adequately serve all prospective students who are otherwise qualified for admission, then the institution may make appropriate admissions decisions from among the pool of otherwise qualified nonresident applicants in light of institutional capacity and consistent with constitutional and other legal requirements, as well as in light of the IHL and the admitting institution’s values, mission, and goals.
Specific admissions criteria for nonresident students can be found at the [Office of Admissions website] (www.olemiss.edu/admissions) or by contacting the Office of Admissions.
Admission Requirements for the Professional Program in Pharmacy and Early Entry Nursing
Freshman admission requirements for the professional program in pharmacy and early entry nursing differ from general admission requirements. Please see the pharmacy and health professions sections of the catalog for details.
Minimum Test Scores
Students whose ACT subtest score in reading and/or English is less than 17 (or SAT verbal score is 400 or less) 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 SAT mathematics score is 450 or less) 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.
Test Score Minimums as Course Prerequisites
Some courses may require a minimum standard test score as a prerequisite. For example, students enrolling in Biology 160/161 must have a 22 subscore on the mathematics portion of the ACT (SAT math score of 510) or have completed College Algebra with a grade of B or higher. Students enrolling in Chemistry 105/106 must have one of the following: a 23 subscore on the mathematics portion of the ACT (SAT score of 590); completed Chemistry 101 with a grade of C or higher; completed Math 125 (Basic Mathematics for Science and Engineering) with a grade of B or higher.
Other Admission Criteria
Residents of Mississippi who apply and do not meet the admission requirements stated above may enter the Comprehensive Academic Screening Program (counseling and testing) held on campus and at other designated locations prior to the beginning of the first summer session. Such counseling 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.
Summer Developmental Program
Mississippi residents who are not successful on the Accuplacer examination may be admitted to the Summer Developmental Program. This intensive program concentrates on those high school subject areas (writing, reading, mathematics) that are crucial to success in first-year college courses. Students who successfully exit the summer program may continue in the fall term with the requirement of participation in the Developmental Support Lab during the fall and spring semesters. Students who do not pass the Summer Developmental Program are counseled to explore other postsecondary options, including those offered by two-year colleges that prepare students for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs.
The Developmental Support Lab is designed to assist students with first-year college studies. The goal of this lab is to provide individualized support in intermediate and regular academic courses for marginally prepared students.
Early Admission
A superior secondary school student may be offered Early Admission at the end of the third year in high school if the following criteria are met:
At least a 3.5 GPA on all CPC courses completed, a minimum composite ACT score of 25 (or SAT 1130), and recommendation by the applicant’s high school principal or counselor.
Earning College Credit in High School
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), Croft Summer Scholars, and the Summer Institutes in Art, Journalism, and in Music.
Students must have completed a minimum of 14 high school units with a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or better on all high school courses, as documented by an official high school transcript; home-schooled students must submit a transcript prepared by a parent, guardian, or custodian with a signed, sworn affidavit to meet the requirement. Students must have an unconditional written recommendation from their high school principal and/or guidance counselor. A home-schooled student must submit a parent, legal guardian or custodian’s written recommendation to meet the requirement. Students may be considered for the dual enrollment program who have not completed the minimum 14 core high school units if they have a minimum ACT composite score of thirty (30) or the equivalent SAT score, and have the required grade-point average and recommendations outlined above.
Summer enrichment programs are administered by the Office of Summer School.