University of Connecticut

UConn is moderately selective: it admitted about 54% of roughly 59,500 applicants in the most recent cycle and enrolled around 4,700 first-years. Every factor it uses sits at the same 'considered' level in its Common Data Set, from GPA and course rigor to your essay, activities, and recommendations, so a strong application has to hold up across all of them. Competitive programs and the Honors Program run tighter than the overall rate suggests.

Out-of-state applicants are admitted in real numbers: non-residents make up about 44% of enrolled first-years, so a large share of each class comes from outside Connecticut. UConn lists state residency and geographical residence among its considered factors, at the same level it assigns GPA, class rank, and course rigor. Your home state counts as one input among many.

There is no hard cutoff, but the middle 50% of enrolled first-years who submitted scores landed between 1260 and 1420 on the SAT, with a median near 1350. A score of 1420 or higher sits in the upper quarter of admitted students. UConn is test-optional, so you can apply without scores at all.

UConn does not publish an average high school GPA in its Common Data Set, but academic GPA, class rank, and course rigor are all weighed in its review. As a guide, 45% of enrolled first-years ranked in the top tenth of their graduating class and 81% in the top quarter, so admitted students generally carry strong grades in a demanding schedule.

Yes. UConn is test-optional, so you can apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Among first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1260–1420 on the SAT and 29–32 on the ACT. If you send scores, they are weighed alongside GPA, class rank, and the rigor of your coursework.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $21,574 for Connecticut residents and $44,242 for out-of-state students. On-campus food and housing add roughly $15,184. About 44% of first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average package near $23,058, and UConn meets about 63% of demonstrated need on average.

The social sciences are the largest field at about 13% of bachelor's degrees, followed closely by the health professions and business and marketing, each around 12%. Engineering, the biological and life sciences, and psychology round out the top areas, reflecting UConn's breadth as a comprehensive research university.

UConn offers a binding Early Decision plan, with applications due November 1 and decisions on December 20; it does not run an Early Action round. The application essay is weighed on par with GPA and course rigor in UConn's review, so a specific, well-revised essay is a real chance to stand out.

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